Democrats Urged To Stress Religious Views Top Stories November 27 2003 08:48:00 AM EST WASHINGTON, Nov 27, 2003 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- The nine Democratic presidential candidates consider themselves religious but keep it to themselves while campaigning, and that may not be a good idea. As the Washington Post points out, their silence stands in contrast to President Bush, among the most overtly religious presidents in generations, and could undermine the Democratic nominee.

Democrats "have been very hesitant to talk about faith ... and in doing so we have lost a connection with a lot of people," said Sen. Joseph Lieberman, an Orthodox Jew and one of only two candidates who frequently talk about God. Long-shot candidate Al Sharpton, an ordained minister, is the other.

In interviews with the Post, most of the candidates said they are uncomfortable discussing their faith as publicly as Bush does or Bill Clinton did. Yet most agreed the party must do a better job of connecting with religious voters, or risk not winning the White House in 2004.

Copyright 2003 by United Press International.

My view: The vast majority of Bible believing Christians vote Republican.

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2003

Answers

James Earl Carter was the last Democratic President who was comfortable in speaking about faith and public policy. Current interest groups (NOW, NEA, ACLU) have a vise-grip on Democratic candidates because their basic public policy goals are antithetical to religion. As a result Democratic politicians have kowtowed to these groups at the expense of their personal faith convictions. In my opinion this is shameful but politics at work. QED

-- Anonymous, November 28, 2003

Yeah, right RP....

Remember the Pharisees and the Sad-you-sees: Always want to be seen in the best places and in the best light. The outside of their cups viewed as clean, but inside...filthy dirty. I don't care for politicians per se....whether they be republican or democrats. They basically are all the same, playing different people to get elected. Funny....I don't remember Jesus being a part of the government during his time. Why? Because he had to take an unbiased view and right the wrongs, whatever side committed it. I am always amused by the Libermans of this world as well as the Bushes. Funny, I remember the pompous Bennett and his book of virtues (like the Bible is not enough), I remember Newt looking under Clinton's covers, but forgot to pull up his own. I look at Rush, coming down off his high...finally sober(perhaps) and all of his "ditto heads." Wasn't he the one that said not enough white men go to jail for illegal drug use? Oh, he meant others, not himself. I look at all these people and they are enough to make you want to walk away from the American political scene.

It's enough to make you want to holla.....I am looking for one decent candidate....and I cannot find one!!! I am tired of these little dyed for the tv screen candidates with the hair parted to the side, with just the right color suit, and just the right color tie, holding their hands in just such a way their handlers have told them to do with absolutely nothing to say nor contribute. True, the democrats do not have a candidate with courage and the republicans do not have a candidate with truth. I am tired of hypocrisy, and finally I am tired of division. I am tired of little men with little thoughts trying to be a winner behind a party. There are many out there like me.

-- Anonymous, November 28, 2003

Sister Brooks,

I could not have said it better than you. If I were in the British Parliament. I would say HEAR! HEAR! But since I am in America and a member of a black church, let me simply say, Somebody ought to say AMEN!

AMEN, AMEN, AMEN!

-- Anonymous, November 28, 2003

Mary opines -

"I am tired of these little dyed for the tv screen candidates with the hair parted to the side, with just the right color suit, and just the right color tie, holding their hands in just such a way their handlers have told them to do with absolutely nothing to say nor contribute."

Well, Rev. Sharpton clearly doesn't fit this mold. I'm curious. What is your opinion of former Illinois Senator Carol Moseley-Braun? Is she a viable Presidential candidate? QED

-- Anonymous, November 28, 2003

You're right Bill: Rev. Al Sharpton needs to let that dyed, fried and laid to the side (or combed back and curled) do alone. Sorry, he is not a bona fide candidate. I met him last spring and he is a nice charming fellow; however, he does not get my vote. Sister Braun is all that and a bag of chips. I feel she is one of the most real candidates up there, but she does not get my vote either! I do like hair though. :-)

-- Anonymous, November 28, 2003

Where have you been all this time? We have probably one of the best presidents in office right now. I truly believe he is a man of God. Even David Wilkerson, the reknown Pastor of Times Square Church in New York City. David has made many prophecies that have come true, so when he says we have a good president I listen. How in the world can you call yourselves Christian and still be a democrat? does God stand for the murdering of little ones-aka abortion? Does God stand for homosexuality? He destroyed TWO entire cities for it. If I were a Christian and voted for Bill Clinton, I would have to spend an eternity on my knees begging for God's forgiveness! How can we not expect God to follow us into the voting booth? Would God put a man in power that has messed around with so many women that he probably invented an STD? I think not; in fact that is just the thing that keeps us from God. We think he's not looking when we vote, but he is. In fact who we put in office reflects what we as America stand for. When, "slick willy" was in office we stood for nothing but murder, sex and everything else that's anti-God. How can we vote for Liberman, who stood behind Gore, who stood behind "slick willy"? Do they not merely stand for the same thing? You bet they do.I think that if people keep voting in godless men, the judgement day will come sooner than planned. Are your relatives and family members ready for that? Are they all saved? Are they in line with God? The way you're going, you better hope so. Next time you go to vote, spend a little more time on your knees and a little less time watching "Good Morning America".

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2003