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

Taking Evangelical Leaders to Task...

the following excerpt was posted as a response by jeremy http://jcircadian.com/ at one mom's blog, under "christians for huckabee." http://onemom.wordpress.com/christians-for-huckabee/ this is an excellent post by kerry, and hope you take a moment to read it.

this excerpt is govenor mike huckabee commenting regarding republicans and evangelical christian leaders.

“If Republicans in this election vote in such a way as to say a candidate’s personal life and personal conduct in office doesn’t matter,” said Huckabee, “then a lot of Christian evangelical leaders owe Bill Clinton a public apology.”

“I’m specifically referencing Christian evangelical leaders who were the most vocal in saying back during the Clinton era that personal behavior, personal responsibility and character were the key factors in a president’s criteria.”

He accused those leaders of selling out to the Republican Party.‘‘That’s my challenge to Christian leaders — either be consistent, be Christian leaders or just say I’m a political boss and it’s really about the power,’’ he said.

“What’s at stake,” Huckabee said, “is the credibility of religious conservatives.”‘‘Christian leaders need to be Christian leaders, not Republican leaders,’’ he said.

recently, i was listening to a popular christian radio station. i was appalled to hear the comments of a well respected evangelical pastor regarding fred thompson, and also his opinion regarding what he felt were the qualifications for a canidate for the president of the united states.

i don't have the transcript, so i don't have his words vertabum. but essentially, in my own words, this is what he said...

'fred thompson? well, fred is a straight shooter, a good guy. people ask about a 'christian president'. i don't think a president needs to be a christian. he can be a nominal christian. as long as the canidate has a good moral base, to be able to make good decisions.

presidents in the past weren't particularly strong christians, and they did allright. the only openly christian president, was jimmy carter. he was labeled the 'born-again canidate'. and he didn't do very well as president. now, if you're looking for a pastor...then you want him to be a christian. but the president? it's not necessary.

i hate discussing politics, it's one of my least favorite subjects.'

gee wiz, i can see why! his comments could be so easily miscontrued and misapplied by the listening audience...resulting in potential backlash (not to mention letters and emails) directed at him.

okay, i see what this pastor is trying to say... he'd rather have a competent 'nominal christian' than an 'incompetent christian' president. point taken. BUT....how about if the canidate is a CHRISTIAN AND COMPETENT?? (i realize based on history, that sounds somewhat like a contradiction, but...) wouldn't that be a homerun for the christian community and the nation?

that's why, we as christians, are so excited about mike huckabee. up to now, there has been no competent christian canidate to choose from. nobody that had a solid christian foundation, yet could still efficiently and effectively run a government, and could communicate with those on the other side of the aisle. until now....mike huckabee is causing a grass roots movement amongst christians. causing the 'up to now apathetics' (myself included) to get up off the couch and fight and vocalize for his canidacy.

i feel the remarks of this pastor were somewhat irresponsible. as a christian leader, i would think he would be extremely careful regarding his comments. christian leaders are so careful not to endorse any canidates and not get involved in anything political. yet, to make a general comment like the above, is to me, very disappointing. i don't mean to single out this pastor in particular. but it does seem to be symptomatic and indicative of what's going on within the evangelical church and with it's leaders.

essentially, it says to christians, "you don't have to look at their spiritual or personal life. it doesn't matter. as long as they're qualified on paper." but taking that at face value...isn't that a bit misleading, and potentially in the wrong direction? it's as govenor huckabee mentioned above regarding clinton. so much of what is currently happening in our nation has to do with drawing the lines of morality and values. and the values of america are not on the rise. essentially, doesn't one's personal values dictate how one will run his own personal life and in turn how one will make moral decisions effecting the nation?

when he mentions that 'as long as they have good morals to make good decisions'. well, for those that are non-christians or 'nominal christians'....what do you think shapes their morals, values and beliefs?? just 'being a good person'???? that's so subjective. wouldn't it be BETTER to have a leader that is submitted to God, has his values based on the bible?? and taking that solid foundation then integrating it with the skills required for president. combining all of this, to create a well rounded leader of our nation??

my 14 year old son, heard the pastors comments and said this, "gee, in the bible, they had good kings and bad kings. under the bad kings' leadership, it caused corruption and decline of the people's relationships with God. and the country often declined. but under the good kings there was renewal, rebuilding, a focus back onto God... spiritual health...blessings. isn't that what we want for america? wouldn't it be better to have a good king leading our country, too?"

boy, isn't that kid great? it seems so basic, so simple. why are people getting so lost in all of this?? critics might say, "you're being so naive to believe we can just vote for the man that best represents our christian values and beliefs, and believe that he can win. this is politics, you know!".

indeed, it is politics. and that's the sad part. as govenor huckabee pointed out above. many of the christian conservatives are getting lured into being "political"..."republican"...and might be very well losing their roots of 'christian conservative' in the process.

that's why, i'm not particuarly excited about the upcoming christian or 'values based' debates. it seems as if the christian leaders are looking through different colored glasses...political glasses. i'm honestly not sure what they'll come up with..and frankly am a bit scared to find out. will they see the truth? or will they opt for the 'political path'?? that remains to be seen.

maybe it's time for christians to take a step back. not only to assess the field of canidates running for the presidency...but to take a good hard look at the christian leaders that are endorsing and not endorsing the canidates.

maybe we can look to these christian leaders as pastors....but like the pastor eluded to above...not anything beyond that. that would be so sad. we depend upon our christian leaders to guide us with wisdom and discernment. unfortunately, i hope and pray 'politics' and 'the republican way' may not become a barrier.

i hope this is not taken wrongly. i don't mean to be harsh. yet, i feel it is a point that deserves addressing. i hope and pray christian leaders will wake up from the stupor of 'political agendas' and 'popular choice'. i pray they will see the truth before them...and will be able to step up and out with conviction.

after all, would you rather be living in a kingdom under a 'good king'... or a 'nominal king'...or a 'bad king'??? take a quick review of 2 chronicles..and i think the choice will be easy.

blessing to you...



"all judah rejoiced about the oath because they had sworn it wholeheartedly. they sought God eagerly, and he was found by them. so the Lord gave them rest on every side." 2 chronicles 15:15