Will conservative evangelicals switch to Obama?
Hauwa Mukan/Contributing Writer
Issue date: 7/27/08 Section: Divine Intervention
In 2004, Michael Hancock a 45-year-old technician voted for George Bush. Hancock, an Evangelical Republican, felt his conservative views on marriage and abortion fit best with Bush's. He believed that supporting Bush would fulfill his obligations to vote for a candidate who would keep the country in faithful progression amidst a war.
"At the time, the administration provided valid arguments to why the nation should pursue that particular course of action," Hancock said. "Some of my congregation members were surprised at my decision as well. like I said, at the time I felt I had to have faith that God was doing His work."
Four years later, Hancock feels the GOP has lost its way and will be voting for Sen. Barack Obama in November.
"He is a man of faith and direction and it shows very clearly in the character we see in the headlines and on television, even in light of those rumors of him being Muslim," Hancock told The District Chronicles.
Hanckock is the type of Christian Evangelical voter Sen. Obama is courting. They are formidable voting block and both Obama and Sen. John McCain are aggressively seeking them. A 2004 survey of religion and politics estimated their numbers as 26.3 percent of the U.S population, making them a potent political block. In the 2004 presidential election, they voted for President Bush by a ratio of four to one.
But now, Brian McLaren, a former Evangelical pastor and informal adviser to Obama, believes the Evangelical bloc is cracking up, with as many as between a third and half taking a new leap of faith to Obama.
"John McCain is trying very hard to maintain his party's views continuing this war in Iraq and tries to flaunt his foreign policy experience but he's playing a risky game with lives, which in a way could equate with Sen. Obama's views on abortion," said Latique Simmons, a member of the Rankin Memorial Chapel at Howard University.
As Christians, the decision between the candidates may be a tough one because of their differing personalities, opposing views on abortion rights, foreign policy and the economy. Simmons, a 23-year-old marketing account manager, believes that her Christian views are represented better by Sen. Obama's campaign, despite his stance on abortion. She, too, will be voting for Obama in November.
"At the time, the administration provided valid arguments to why the nation should pursue that particular course of action," Hancock said. "Some of my congregation members were surprised at my decision as well. like I said, at the time I felt I had to have faith that God was doing His work."
Four years later, Hancock feels the GOP has lost its way and will be voting for Sen. Barack Obama in November.
"He is a man of faith and direction and it shows very clearly in the character we see in the headlines and on television, even in light of those rumors of him being Muslim," Hancock told The District Chronicles.
Hanckock is the type of Christian Evangelical voter Sen. Obama is courting. They are formidable voting block and both Obama and Sen. John McCain are aggressively seeking them. A 2004 survey of religion and politics estimated their numbers as 26.3 percent of the U.S population, making them a potent political block. In the 2004 presidential election, they voted for President Bush by a ratio of four to one.
But now, Brian McLaren, a former Evangelical pastor and informal adviser to Obama, believes the Evangelical bloc is cracking up, with as many as between a third and half taking a new leap of faith to Obama.
"John McCain is trying very hard to maintain his party's views continuing this war in Iraq and tries to flaunt his foreign policy experience but he's playing a risky game with lives, which in a way could equate with Sen. Obama's views on abortion," said Latique Simmons, a member of the Rankin Memorial Chapel at Howard University.
As Christians, the decision between the candidates may be a tough one because of their differing personalities, opposing views on abortion rights, foreign policy and the economy. Simmons, a 23-year-old marketing account manager, believes that her Christian views are represented better by Sen. Obama's campaign, despite his stance on abortion. She, too, will be voting for Obama in November.
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COL. A.M.Khajawall [Ret]
posted 7/28/08 @ 2:59 PM EST
Yes for the sake of our Greatgrand Nation
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