Gary Bauer Part 3: My Response...

below is my response to gary bauer's last email (10/1/07)... addressing the issues of sanctity of life, supreme court justices, and the GOP nomination.

Dear Mr. Bauer,

Thank you again, for your correspondence.

Yes, I see your point, regarding the issue of abortion and the sanctity of life. You are absolutely right. Indeed, we DO NEED TO BE PRUDENT in our choice for president.

And yes, there are several important issues effecting the Christian family today. The sanctity of human life; definitely, being one of them. However, in an effort to achieve this one goal, we musn’t compromise on broader more far reaching foundational issues.

Essentially, the issue of abortion, is simply a symptom; a manifestation of a larger more foundational problem. It signifies the decay of morals and values. It denotes a lack of understanding and respect for human life. But even more foundationally, it signals a lack of respect and honor for God and what He has given and ordained.

I understand the sense of urgency in regards to the upcoming Supreme Court Justice nominations. I realize the gravity and importance of this opportunity. However, there is no guarantee that with a Republican president, that we will garner the necessary support to nominate a pro-life justice. Or that the justice will necessarily vote in our favor. We hope for that. We pray for that. But with the strong opposition from liberals, we cannot know for certain.

Contrastly, if we elect a president that has a keen understanding of not only the sanctity of life, but also shares the values and beliefs of the Christian. We then have the opportunity to go ‘beyond’ the abortion issue, and essentially effect policy and government in a greater and broader sense.

On September 17, 2007 at the Values Voters Debate, the Christian conservative vote was cast and heard. Govenor Mike Huckabee won with a resounding 63%. Especially significant, was the fact that many delegates had gone to the debate with a predisposition for a candidate that was not in attendance. Yet, after hearing the debate, 100 of the delegates changed their vote, and cast it favor of Govenor Huckabee. Also, a few days later, a second straw poll at the Palmetto Family Council Debate in South Carolina, Govenor Huckabee was also the winner. In addition, Govenor Huckabee is gaining traction and steadily climbing in the polls in conservative caucus states, such as Iowa. It is clearly apparent, that Govenor Huckabee resonates with the Christian conservative, and represents and embodies their values and beliefs.

Unfortunately, neither the Christian leadership nor the media, have embraced Govenor Huckabee, or acknowledged his viability in the GOP presidential race. This is puzzling and troubling. I'm not quite sure the reason, apart from the fundraising and financial issues. However, these issues could be remedied with an endorsement or positive support for Govenor Huckabee. The Christian community would then have the opportunity to unify and rally behind a candidate, that, in fact, truly represents our values and issues.

Recently, I read this quote. I think it speaks poignantly to the issue:

One conservative leader once wisely told me this:
“We have to be faithful to God, to the principles that guide us,
and to our supporters who are looking to us for leadership.
We should be reminded of the oft repeated truth that
God has not called us to be successful;
he has called us to be faithful.”
That has guided me in everything I do politically.”

With a candidate like Mike Huckabee, we KNOW what we are getting. He is committed and consistent on the issues. He is a candidate Christians can identify with, and stand behind. I believe the schism within the Christian community is primarily a result of candidates that do NOT represent our values, being pushed upon the Christian community, due to an agenda by Christian leaders. This creates a dilemma for the Christian voter. We cannot reconcile voting for a candidate that does not share our values and beliefs. Yet, we are being encouraged to do so by Christian leadership. This creates frustration and an integrity issue for the Christian. We desire to be true to ourselves and faithful in our responsibilities in voting. But in a greater way, we feel called and desire to be true and faithful to God and our convictions.

Please don’t ask the Christian voter to compromise their integrity, for ‘one win’. Albeit, a valid one. Instead, let us support and choose a candidate that can represent the Christian community holistically. Let us choose a candidate that Christians can truly rally behind. Let us choose a candidate that can lead our nation back towards the values and principles of God. Let us be faithful…and trust God to make it successful.

“for the eyes of the Lord run to and fro
Throughout the whole earth,
To show Himself strong
on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”
2 chronicles 16:9

Thank you again, Mr. Bauer.
Sincerely,

i pray mr. bauer and the christian leadership hear our voices, understand our dilemmas, and lead us in a direction to help unify our efforts.

Lord, be glorified,

"choose you this day, whom you will serve...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." joshua 24:15

Gary Bauer: Letter and Response

the following is a letter i sent to gary bauer of american values. gary.bauer@mail.amvalues.org

it was in response to an article in 'one news now', in which mr. bauer requested second tier GOP presidential hopefuls to pull out of the presidential race. (interesting side note: gary bauer ran for the republican presidential nomination in 1999.)

here is the link to the article.

Dear Mr. Bauer,

I am writing this letter in response to an article from One News Now. In the article, you call for some of the presidential hopefuls in the GOP to pull out of the presidential bid.

Yes, the field is a bit crowded. And yes, there are many canidates that are diluting the conservative Christian vote. However, contrary to what the media is reporting, the canidates that are diluting the vote, are the top tier canidates that DO NOT REPRESENT the Christian conservative vote! They do not represent the values of the Christian voter nor are they proven in executive leadership.

Frankly, I'm a bit puzzled. As a Christian mother of 2 boys, I remember you from years ago. I remember when you and Dr. Dobson would speak of your work in Washington D.C. on behalf of Christians and the family. It seems, somehow things have changed. The current endorsements or preference given by Christian leaders, regarding canidates, do NOT REFLECT the values of the Christian. It is very disappointing.

I've always been apathetic about politics and the political process. I never cared a whit about any of it. That is, until I learned about Govenor Mike Huckabee. His competence as a govenor, his commitment to his faith, his ability to articulate and his integrity and wit. These are just a few reasons why Govenor Huckabee has transformed this stay at home mom, into a grass roots activitst.

Why, Mr. Bauer, are Christian leaders NOT getting behind Govenor Huckabee? Why are they not encouraging the Christian social conservative voter to support him? It is obvious he represents and embodies the values of the Christian voter. Why won't any Christian leaders stand on his behalf?

"Because he can't beat Hillary??". That is the reason I hear so often. Frankly, Govenor Huckabee is the only canidate that can stand toe-to-toe with Hillary, and have any chance of coming out with his life. Not only has he governed a state, unlike all the senator in the race. But he has the verbal skills and quick wit to engage her and still come out ahead a few points. She is a formidable opponent, and it sounds like many, yourself included, are afraid of her occupation of the White House. SO ARE WE, Mr. Bauer...so are we!!!

That's why we need somebody like Govenor Huckabee. He's not the 'good 'ol boy', trying to make it on image alone. Nor is he the 'war veteran', trying to capitalize on his war record. Nor the snazzy 'city boy', trying to parlay the 9/11 tragedy. He is simply a man qualified for the job, committed to God, and able to draw even the cynical Democrat onto his side.

So Huckabee, on paper, is undeniably the man for the job. Yet, the lack of support and seeming opposition from the Christian leaders is hamstringing his efforts.

I simply don't understand. Maybe it's part of the 'political game'? Yet, somehow I remember years ago, you and Dr. Dobson speaking about the goals of what you were embarking upon in Washington. It was about "values", "God", "family" and the "representation of the Christian and family in Washington". What happened, Mr. Bauer?? I don't understand.

At the end of the article in One News Now, you stated, Christians need to remember, "Jesus is not running in the Republican primaries." Indeed, you are right. He is not. But I can't help but think, if He were here voting..."What Would Jesus Do?". And that, Mr. Bauer, is why I support Govenor Mike Huckabee for President.

Thank you for your time.

RESPONSE: FROM GARY BAUER 9/28/07

Thank you for writing me. I have not asked Mike Huckabee to drop out of the race, nor would I ever do so. What I have said is that after another six or seven weeks, if lower tier candidates don’t drop out of the race, we will end up with Rudy Giuliani as the GOP nominee and Hillary as President.

Mrs. T, many Christian leaders are supporting Mike Huckabee, but others have gone with other candidates. I probably won’t endorse anyone, because I have to work with them all on behalf of our pro-life, pro-family movement. As a matter of fact, I just spent an hour with Huckabee, and next week I will be sitting down privately with other candidates.

I believe any of the candidates, except Giuliani, would be preferable to Hillary Clinton. I also think, after hours of private conversations, that all the candidates have flaws, but I will not discuss them publicly.

I also think we should all pray a lot before we suggest that any candidate is the candidate Jesus wants. When our Savior returns, there won’t be any elections because he is the King of Kings!

- Gary L. Bauer

well, i'll let you draw your own conclusions regarding the above. i'm not quite sure what to make of it, apart from the fact that 'politics' seems alive and well.
yet, i do agree with mr. bauer, regarding the need to have some of the lower tier canidates bow out of the GOP race.

friends, please do what you can to help turn the tide and perspective of those around you. it seems we are losing our bearings and values in an effort to play the political game.

let's get back to basics. let's look at what is front of us. let's look at the facts not the politics. qualified, experienced, committed christian, consistent, communicator, integritous....this is mike huckabee.

as mr. bauer suggests, let's pray long and hard and ask God..."What would Jesus do?"...and then....let's do it.

praying, praying, praying....


"He has shown you, o man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you. but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?". micah 6:8

Don't we WANT a Canidate that Reflects our Values??

"This is a dilemma a lot of people have," Wildmon said. "They want to support the candidate that most reflects their values. "But at the same time, you have to balance that against finding someone who can actually win."

entire article found here:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070909/ap_po/thompson_evangelicals

i'm going to start with a disclaimer. the following may be perceived as harsh but i feel this needs to be addressed. (here goes nothin)...

the above quote by Wildmon is exactly the reason why our country is such a mess, and one of the reasons why the evangelical christian community has no leverage or impact on government or society.

the leaders of the christian community... if they don't understand, and can't act on their convictions. if they don't set an example. what do you expect the rest of the christian community to do? the community follows the same rules of compromise. we go down the road a ways... post election... and find christians complaining that our government isn't sensitive to our issues and that our nation is in the midst of moral decay. but how did we get there???

my 14 year old son read the quote by wildmon and replied,

"but isn't that the purpose of voting? aren't we suppose to vote for the canidate that best reflects our values? if all the christians voted for the canidate that best reflected our values and beliefs...that canidate WOULD BE ABLE TO WIN."

out of the mouths of babes, indeed. what is so difficult to understand?? why can't people see what's happening? is it just too simple?

it's like a size 42R men's suit. evangelical leaders are trying so hard to get a size 46L canidate to squeeze into and fit into a 42R. it may look like it fits for few minutes in the soft lighting of the store and with the salesperson's pitch...but inevitably, the man has to exhale. the man has to drop his arms that have been scrunched into the sleeves. the man has to try and walk and move in that suit. the suit begins to rip at the seams and fall apart. he just can't do it. it just doesn't fit. you can't make it fit. why not just get a 42R man, to wear the 42R suit?? is this rocket science?

i am so disappointed in the lack of discernment and irresponsibility of these christian leaders. if they don't have eyes to see....if they can't reconcile their values...if they can't act on their convictions.....we can't expect the sheep in the community to do otherwise. hence, the pattern begins, and the perpetuation of this compromising continues. as a result, the nation continues in it's liberal ways. taking us further and further away from our roots in the christian faith.

below is the contact address to the family research council. if you feel so inclined, you can express your thoughts regarding the 'electability' issues of christian candiates. and the role evangelical leaders play in shaping the hearts and minds of the christian community.

https://www.frc.org/get.cfm?c=CONTACT_FRC&step=2

how we need christians and christian leaders to quit playing the 'political game'. we need to identify the canidate that best reflects our judeo-christian beliefs and support and endorse that canidate. clearly, the top canidate that meets that cirteria within the GOP, is mike huckabee. all other canidates are either blatantly opposed to traditional christian values, or they are border-line-with an inconsistent history-or the flip flopping issue. just look at the facts.

like i said before...this isn't rocket science.

as much as i continue to pray for christian leaders to step up. if they can't see it. if they can't speak out....we, as christians, must do it ourselves. we must become grass roots oriented, and inform and encourage fellow christians to 'look beyond the label', 'to search for fruit', 'to evaluate what shapes our values and beliefs', 'to get off the bench and get ready to play', 'to get the word out', 'to arm ourselves for battle'.... to get involved....to pray.

hold strong, dear christian....

"for the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him." 2 chronicles 16:9

christians for mike huckabee