Seems like Dan’s Demoss interview confirms Michelle’s theory that religious conservative leaders are placing a huge emphasis on pragmatism. Though he backs off that at the end, Demoss first says he’s not supporting Huckabee because he hasn’t raised enough money and, “It would be difficult to run a country if you cannot run a major league campaign.” I’m no Bible scholar but I’m guessing Jesus probably wouldn’t have dissed a would-be Caesar for poor fundraising prowess.
This reminds me of the regular debate within labor union circles on the Democratic side about whether supporting the candidate of their dreams will leave them on the outs if that candidate doesn’t win. It’s always about “being at the table.” And that leads to David’s more fundamental point about whether, for Christians, this hyper-pragmatism has served either the country or Christianity well.
But Debbie makes a slightly different point, which is that the difference between leadership and rank and file is more ideological than tactical – that the leaders are just more conservative. This would imply that the real reason they don’t like Huckabee is that he’s not conservative enough on… what again? Immigration? Binge eating?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on David’s argument that “the Mullahs” are now irrelevant!