John McCain's running mate was raised in a Pentecostal church, has called herself "as pro-life as any candidate can be" and already has energized conservative religious leaders who worried the Arizona senator would choose an abortion rights supporter.
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(Photo: AP Images / Kiichiro Sato)Republican Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin speaks as Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., introduces her as his Vice Presidential running mate Friday, Aug. 29, 2008 at the Ervin J. Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio.
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is "straight out of veep central casting," said Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religion Liberties Commission. Land said he urged the McCain camp to consider the political unknown.
Gary Bauer, one of McCain's most enthusiastic evangelical supporters, called it a "grand slam home run" that is "guaranteed to energize values voters."
The 44-year-old mother of five, who led her high school chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, was baptized as a teenager at the Wasilla Assembly of God Church, where she and her family were very active, according to her then-pastor, Paul Riley.
Now, she sometimes worships at the Juneau Christian Center, which is also part of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God, said Brad Kesler, business administrator of the denomination's Alaska District. But her home church is The Church on the Rock, an independent congregation, Riley said.
"The church was kind of a foundation for her," said Riley, who said he gave the invocation at Palin's inauguration and had her address students at the church last month.
Maria Comella, a spokeswoman for the McCain-Palin campaign, said Palin attends different churches and does not consider herself Pentecostal.
As a politician, Palin has sided with the majority evangelical view in opposing gay marriage and expressing a desire to see creationism discussed alongside evolution in schools.
During a 2006 debate, she said she was a proponent of teaching both evolution and creationism in schools. She later clarified her stance in an interview with the Anchorage Daily News, saying that she doesn't think creationism needed to be part of the curriculum and that she would not push the state Board of Education to add such alternatives to the state's required curriculum.
Not only does Palin oppose abortion as a matter of policy, but she chose to give birth to her youngest child, a son, after a prenatal exam indicated Down syndrome. Studies show that about nine in 10 pregnant women who are given a Down syndrome diagnosis have chosen to have an abortion.
"That will resonate in a big way," said Quin Monson, a Brigham Young University professor who studies religion and politics.
Focus on the Family founder James Dobson, who initially said he could not vote for McCain but has since opened the door to an endorsement, called Palin "an outstanding choice that should be extremely reassuring to the conservative base" of the GOP. Dobson added that the ticket "gives us confidence he will keep his pledges to voters regarding the kinds of justices he would nominate to the Supreme Court."
"It's an absolutely brilliant choice," said Mathew Staver, dean of Liberty University School of Law. "This will absolutely energize McCain's campaign and energize conservatives."
Staver called Palin a "a woman of faith who has a strong position on life, a consistent opinion on judges. ... She's the complete package."
A Pew poll last week showed McCain leading Democrat Barack Obama 68 percent to 24 percent among white evangelical Protestants. But there was little enthusiasm: Only 28 percent of white evangelicals call themselves "strong" supporters of McCain, far short of President Bush's numbers four years ago. Continue >>
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"intellectual?"
The term is somewhat misleading. For example, intellectual atheists think that anyone who holds to religious beliefs is simple and close minded. Yet, some of the greatest thinkers have been Christian.
Many people think being intellectual means being open minded which is correct as long as you're not so open minded that your brain leaks out.
You are right though. I have found many who post here on both sides of any issue can lack being 'intellectual' from time to time.
Too often 'intellectual' is determined by opinion. If someone agrees then they are intellectual. If they disagree then they are not (check your posts).
The truth is that intellectual means:
adjective
1. appealing to or engaging the intellect: intellectual pursuits.
2. of or pertaining to the intellect or its use: intellectual powers.
3. possessing or showing intellect or mental capacity, esp. to a high degree: an intellectual person.
4. guided or developed by or relying on the intellect rather than upon emotions or feelings; rational.
5. characterized by or suggesting a predominance of intellect: an intellectual way of speaking.
noun
6. a person of superior intellect.
7. a person who places a high value on or pursues things of interest to the intellect or the more complex forms and fields of knowledge, as aesthetic or philosophical matters, esp. on an abstract and general level.
8. an extremely rational person; a person who relies on intellect rather than on emotions or feelings.
9. a person professionally engaged in mental labor, as a writer or teacher.
Those who study Christianity with intellect (like me) find it quite rational. It get's back to 'I think therefore I am" as a starting point. I have found that those who lack intellect tend to be quite emotional against what the Bible clearly says and then play the 'intellect'ual card. Not very intellectual of them now is it?
"dp, whats the problem, anti-intellectual?"
So, you have less of a sense of humor than an old time Bob Jones'r!!!!!!!!!! It's nice to see you have something in common with ultra-conservative Christians!
stanjz, too many on CP anti-intellectual, thats a reason most on CP like bush- he's not real bright, very simple man that has run US into the ground. Can you imagine bush teaching anything at the university level? Obama way too smart for a lot of folks here...dont want to admit his accomplishments. Jr Senators usually have a very short list of of accomplishments, Obama has quite a number as you point out.
dp "The Bible talks about the teachers of the law! Uhh, uhh, nope, nada..."
without laws, you have anarchy, without teachers of the law, how would we know about the law. so the bible is against teachers?
dp, whats the problem, anti-intellectual? Sen. Obama too smart for you, i suppose thats why u like bushboy and his handler chiney, no know no constitutional law, dont need to know when you aint following it anyway.
"Barack Obama was also a University of Chicago Constutitional Law Professor for 12 years."
HE'S A LAWYER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Absolutely not. No way. Not what we need. Not a lawyer or one who teaches them. The Bible talks about the teachers of the law! Uhh, uhh, nope, nada...
SAVE US!!! All hands...prepare to abandon ship!!!!!
sponsorship sometimes does not mean you had an active hand in writing the bill, co-sponsorship is even less noteworthy it just means you lend your name so that it has a list of names to try to make it persuasive to the public. I readily admits to really only working on eithics reform and immigaration to which he bailed out on when it came under fire.
Barack Obama was also a University of Chicago Constutitional Law Professor for 12 years. You can wake Barack out of bed on a Sunday morning and I bet he could beat Senator McCain handily in a test on the Constitution! He is not just "a speech writer." He writes and delivers some of the best speeches in our nations history and many good presidents had similar abilities.
In the US Senate Obama has written 890 pieces of legislation, and co-sponsored 1096 pieces of legislation.
Senator Obama has sponsored or co-sponsored 570 bills in the 109th and 110th Congress.
Senator Obama has sponsored or co-sponsored 15 bills that have become LAW since he joined the Senate in 2005.
Senator Obama has also introduced amendments to 50 bills, of which 16 were adopted by the Senate.
His record is in fact quite impressive for a junior Senator from Illinois.
Most of his legislative effort has been in the areas of:
* Energy Efficiency and Climate Change (25 bills)
* Health care (21 bills) and public health (20 bills)
* Consumer protection/labor (14 bills)
* The needs of Veterans and the Armed Forces (13 bills)
* Congressional Ethics and Accountability (12 bills)
* Foreign Policy (10 bills)
* Voting and Elections (9 bills)
* Education (7 bills)
* Hurricane Katrina Relief (6)
* The Environment (5 bills)
* Homeland Security (4 bills)
Before getting to the US Senate Obama served 11 years in the Illinois State Senate.
- Barack Obama is a graduate TOP of his class at Harvard Law School. Barack Obama also has a degree in Political science specializing in International Relations
Barack Obama also worked as a consultant and instructor for a community organizing institute.
- Barack Obama worked as a Civil Rights lawyer for 9 years.
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I am not doubting his support, but again no answer for what qaulifies him over her.People are saying she is inexperienced, not that she does not have support. typical for people who don't want to list barak's experience or accomplishments.
"the only reason that you don't see them in your little corner of the world is that you have forced some people out so that you can cut the line."
The hospital my wife works at is a Catholic hospital. You have obviously never been to our ER! They see everyone no matter if they have insurance or not, no matter if they can pay or not. They have a department that works with families on a sliding scale even if that means only getting $5 for the hospital stay.
My wife is a former supervisor of the ER so I know a bit more than the average guy. There are groups who believe that 'medical missions' begins at home.
Also, for those who may not know, as long as you pay like $5 per month on your medical bill, they aren't suppose to send it to collections. Just send a letter with your first payment indicating that $5 per month is all you can afford (you may have to prove it as people making $200,000/yr have tried this sort of thing). Then just keep paying it.
Also, ask the hospital to speak with 'patient relations' and tell them you need to negotiate payment with them. Most hospitals are more than willing to work with honorable perople to pay what they can. Just know what you can pay per month and why. Most hospitals are willing to negotiate in good faith.
"thanks to people like you 53 million americans don't have any coverage, and a lot of them would buy it if the insurance companies would sell it to them."
You must have misread my post. If I had my way, employers would take responsibility for those they hire. If I had my way, those without jobs would be given jobs and health coverage they could afford. If I had my way, those who were unable to work would be taken care of within the health care system. (Right now drug companies are offering drugs at a sliding scale to those who cannot afford it.) If I had my way, we as Americans would live the example found in Acts where people sold what they had so that none would be in need. If I had my way we would all love our neighbors as ourselves.
My wife is in the healthcare industry and we pay less than 20 cents shy of $200 per week for our health care. This doesn't include any copayments of deductables. That comes to $10,390+ per year. However, we are here in SC. Here gas is $3.36/gal right now. You do the curve. My guess is the same coverage would cost twice as much in NYC or Chicago. A big house here is between $250,000 and $500,000. I was watching a show where half the house people pay $250,000 is over $1 million in the NYC suburbs.
In short, here $10k/yr for insurance is quite a chunk.
If you are having medical problems and cannot afford to have them taken care of...let me know what city and state you are near and I'll see what I can find. I can be a resourceful little bugger. :)
We also donate to the hospital foundation which pays for improvements in equipment as well as helps pay peoples hospital bills. Last year our little hospital absorbed over $1 million in bills people could not pay.
danielpaul
Our Constitution say to 'promote the general welfare'. When you look at this it isn't about the government looking after peoples health care needs...it's about employers taking care of the needs of those who work for them. The problem rests with greed all throughout our country.
thanks to people like you, i'm paying 18,000 a year for health care for two. thanks to people like you the insurance companies refuse to accept individuals with any kind of "problems," like going to the doctor more than twice a year. thanks to people like you insurance companies and employers search through my medical history to see if they can "recover" payments. thanks to people like you 53 million americans don't have any coverage, and a lot of them would buy it if the insurance companies would sell it to them. yes there are waiting lines in canada, and the only reason that you don't see them in your little corner of the world is that you have forced some people out so that you can cut the line.
James Reynolds
question for all Obama supporters who say she is not ready for president
What qualifications does Obama have that Palin doesn't that makes him ok to elect?
this is such an easy question to answer. you should really try to watch or read more than fox news. by your own admission obama has spent the last two years running for president. he has earned the support of 18 million american voters who agree. the largest political party in the united states has affirmed that he is their choice. the presidency is not just a job of who is the most experienced. if it was, most of our presidents, including w would not qualify. but it is a test and sorry to say Palin has not submitted herself for the test. obama, biden, mccain have.
"Stop invading countries, Iraq comes to mind, hundreds of billions of dollars which is one it way to be in the trillions."
Of course, those trillions would go to pay for terrorism as those factions would then control the oil. I was around for the gas crisis of the turn of the 70s.
Your suggestion would end up being the same as economic surrender to terrorism. Other than that, it would be great if we could all play nice together on our little marble.
As Governor of Alaska...she would have Russia almost within eyeshot of her boarder. I would think she would keep up with foreign affairs!
Also, I saw on the news where she got rid of the deal the former Gov cut with the oil companies, raised their taxes and gave a refund of $1200 to every taxpayer in Alaska! What the Dems are afraid of is going after their big oil buddies. Ever notice that gas prices go up just before a Whitehouse election except when Mr. Bill was running for reelection? Hummm.
Now comes someone who wants off-shore drilling and picked a VP who has something brass to stand up to the oil companies. That alone says quite a bit about her ability to run things!
"I spent all of yesterday trying to find out what her qualifications are, and I can tell you they are pretty slim"
She beat the 'end all be all' of Alaska politics to become Governor. Obviously she knows more than he did!
As for being a troll, I cut my beard today so I look a bit less 'trollish' myself. Even so, the demons believe and they tremble. What's your point? :)
question for all Obama supporters who say she is not ready for president
What qualifications does Obama have that Palin doesn't that makes him ok to elect but not ok if she becomes president if something would happen?
palin was a mayor, commissioner, and governor...Obama was organizer, state senator, and 1 yr us senate(my opinion but the last two he was officially campaigning not actually doing senator work)
here is,in part some suggestions on how to pay for healthcare. Stop invading countries, Iraq comes to mind, hundreds of billions of dollars which is one it way to be in the trillions. Improve military apending- way too much waste, US spends more than all other countries combined. Increase gasoline taxes- will reduce consumption and therfore dependence on foreign oil and use part for health care. Require all citizens to pay premiums, premiums should also be based on a "health profile" . Stop allowing insurance companies to "cherry pick" those they are willing to insure.
PS - If you think I am a troll - I just returned from my Sunday School lesson on Hebrews 5:11-6:12, and am hosting our study group on part of Acts 18 tonight.
I am concerned though that a 72 year old could keel over at any time and leave us led by someone who is from our community, yes, but not qualified to do the job. I spent all of yesterday trying to find out what her qualifications are, and I can tell you they are pretty slim. This is a problem that might not matter in the big picture if McCain stays healthy, but could be a long term trauma of historical proportions for our country if something left her as our leader. Please people, think with your heads, not just your hearts in the next few weeks as we see if I am correct or not.
Can someone explain choosing a VP having only met the person once and only talked to them one more time on the phone?
As a previous donor to the McCain campaign, I will say I am horrified at this pick. John, I thought you would put country first, not electoral gimmickry. I like her anti-abortion credentials - I just don't see much more in this pick.
I hope rational, policy and security-concerned Republicans will speak out about this choice, and the way it was made.
scitsonga, my family and I lived in Holland from 79-82 and they had universal healthcare and the working people were paying through the nose for it. They were taxed for just about everything under the sun, how many TVs and radios you owned and on and on. The only thing that kept us from getting taxed so much was because we were a part of NATO. My fear is the same thing will happen here, the very people who need the help most will be the very ones paying the most for it.
"Do you really think McCain is any different then Bush?"
That's not the question that will determine my vote. The real question is if McCain is different from Obama.
"when do you think the US might join he rest of the industrialized nations and provide health care to all of its citizens."
I have family in Canada. They say they have the best health care system on the planet...until you need it. It can take days to get into see a doctor. The waiting rooms are full of well people. When they are getting close in line they call the sick relative at home to come-on-down. As strange as it may sound...some people can't 'afford' the free health care because it takes too long. There is no motivation to improve.
Our Constitution say to 'promote the general welfare'. When you look at this it isn't about the government looking after peoples health care needs...it's about employers taking care of the needs of those who work for them. The problem rests with greed all throughout our country.
If you don't like what you see in the mirror (government) then you have to change what's in front of it (society).
Simply put...don't economically support folks who don't take care of their employees. Take your business elsewhere.
I keep wondering when the heck you folks are going to "get it." This "hail mary" on the part of McCain changes, or will change absolutely NOTHING! The following is from "What's the Matter With Kansas" by Thomas Frank, and it kind of catches the moment:
"The trick never ages, the illusion never wears off. Vote to stop abortion; receive a rollback in capital-gains taxes. Vote to make our country strong again; receive deindustrialization. Vote to screw those politically correct college professors; receive electricity deregulation. Vote to get government off our backs; receive conglomeration and monopoly everywhere from media to meatpacking. Vote to stand tall against terrorists; receive Social Security privatization efforts. Vote to strike a blow against elitism; receive a social order in which wealth is more concentrated than ever before in our lifetimes, in which workers have been stripped of power and CEO's rewarded in a manner beyond imagining."
When will they ever learn?
When will they everrrr learn?
Do you really think McCain is any different then Bush?
"He is also going after people who are split over the two presidential candidates, but would have voted for Obama to be part of history.Now, they have a choice there too, and gives him a second harder look."
A good point......
God is sending a hurricane at the time when George Bush is to speak at the Republican Convention to remind us that Republicans led by Karl Rove are very good at pretending to have values when what they really value is money above all else, including the poor flooded out victims of New Orleans.
Are we in favor of a woman as a possible commander in chief because she didn't abort her children and she shoots guns sometimes? Everyone I know falls in that same category. The Vice-President will have no impact on abortion or gun laws, friends. What you are voting for is not even fiscally Conservative. The Republicans have cut taxes for the wealthy but not cut spending under George Bush. McCain promises more of the same. Anyone with half a brain can tell you that you can keep spending more than you bring in for awhile but disaster lurks.
profx, "A nation that cannot protect its most innocent and helpless citizens and the sanctity of human life is a weak nation"
So, when do you think the US might join he rest of the industrialized nations and provide health care to all of its citizens. It seems we have plenty of money to invade/occupy Iraq, but leave at least 50 million americans without decent healthcare, this includes children and the aged.
prof, "Their trip to the hurricane zone is proof McCain and Governor Palin care about the average person"
ah, Proof? perhaps it didnt occur to you they are on the campaign trail..........
palin was mayor of a town 9,000, and governor of a state having a pop.643,000
Both McCain and Palin make a good team and demonstrate that the both care.
Their trip to the hurricane zone is proof McCain and Governor Palin care about the average person like us I am definitely Voting fore McCain. I feel like he can be trusted.
I will miss Mike Huckabee. Perhaps he will be Joint Chief of Staff. But I think Palin is a far better choice than MITT Romney. So I am well pleased. As I learn more about her the more I see it was a brilliant choice. Even so I am very well pleased. For Mike Huckabee has not really lost.
Most American's DO NOT favor abortion. Nor do they wish to align themselves with factions dedicated in butchering innocent babies inside and outside the womb. And NO, that baby is NOT the women's body; it is a separate body with a separate heartbeat and separate brain activity. And YES, the unborn baby FEELS PHYSICAL PAIN as it is being ripped out of what should be the safest place on earth - mother's womb!
The Planned Parenthood abortionists lie to young women all the time just to get their money, while those ex-mothers and ex-fathers suffer emotional distress as they realize everyday that they have just allowed a child killer to convince them, not only to take their money, but also to kill their precious little baby. Abortion STOPS A BEATING HEART and the future of a civilization.
People weep and wail over the loss of a High School football player destined for a great professional career who had been gunned down by a random shooter, but yet we will never know the great deficit future generations will suffer for the loss of over 50 million innocent babies in this country alone. Shame on America for tolerating this horror ... and shame on its citizens for tolerating their personal complacency. Pro-choice is a lie - Babies do not choose to die!
Away with this archaic freakish, barbaric practice! It will soon be done away with, along with these fake pro-abortion polling numbers! As long as the president chooses judicial nominees his Vice-president better be pro-Life if he is ever going to win an election.
"A nation that cannot protect its most innocent and helpless citizens and the sanctity of human life is a weak nation that will utterly collapse economically, socially, relationally and entirely." - HMH
ATHEISM is a CATASTROPHIC FAILURE
http://www.evolutionfacts.blogspot.com
He is also going after people who are split over the two presidential candidates, but would have voted for Obama to be part of history.Now, they have a choice there too, and gives him a second harder look.
Actually he is trying to appeal to independent women voting on a message of hope regardless of abortion views. The women wanting equal pay will give a second look, for what gives that argument a better shot than a vp who will do a great job for this country. More importantly he is appealling to those who feel government has gotten to big and is tired of the same old politics. Palin just didn't help sponor an ethics bill she personally busted corruption and cleaned the house in her own party.
Thank goodness Obama picked a running mate who is not ashamed to say he is a liberal! This country needs more leaders like Biden.
"Score one for the good guys! Obama and his worthless cohorts just got their teeth kicked in!"
There are those fruits of a sweet Christian spirit showing up again, Pinochos. No hiding a light under a bushel for you, eh?
Commentators have said that McCain hopes by choosing a woman to win over many disappointed Clinton voters. What? You know that we all save our greatest disdain for people who are close to our own beliefs, but NOT identical. Look at Shiites and Sunnis or some Christians on this Web site for other Christians. The biggest fans of Hillary Clinton will despise a female who is not pro-choice. I shudder to hear the invective they will spew on Gov. Palin.
Q: Obama and McCain are on a boat in the middle of the ocean. The boat sinks. Who survives?
A: America
Ba ha ha ha haaa
"thank goodness that we have none of the below in British politics, its so imature..."
Here, here! You have the BBC and Dr. Who (not to mention REAL fish and chips...chips I tell you and not fries). What do you need politics for? Three chears for #10.
:D
<im an evangelical christian. im for woman's right ohose with limitations, and gay marriage.>
Apparently, there a theological gap between the biblical worldview & the application of those principles to the cultural issues of the day.
In other words, there needs to be a serious evaluation of what, why, & how one believes in light of the scriptural standards.
With moral positions like these, one should not even begin to claim affinity to an evangelical faith. It was be an obvious farce or a serious misunderstanding of biblical truth.
;-p
All I can say is that be it Democratic or Republican, thank goodness that we have none of the below in British politics, its so imature...
Finally - I have a reason to get excited this election season. Gov. Palin is a REAL born-again Christian!!!
PALIN
MCCAIN
(:
McCain selects Alaska governor Sarah Palin as his running mate!
Score one for the good guys! Obama and his worthless cohorts just got their teeth kicked in!
"for mccain to have accede to his political base by chosing someone with so little experience just for the sake of a few issues, that rather having an administration founded on solid economic and social issues instead it is founded on special interest values of a small minority.
Messages that contain flames, profanity or personal attacks may be edited or removed from the forum and your access to the forum may be terminated. Click here to create a message."
I tried clicking on your message but nothing happened....
"Satan's deceptions" Diana
Is that like the Obamanation of desolation spoken of in the Bible?
McCain's VP Choice Reassures Evangelicals...translation... Satan's deceptions to keep Christians from preaching the truth about ALL SIN and the Gospel Reassures Evangelicals...
Even so Lord Jesus, come quickly!
what I find hilarious is I have heard pro-choice people who say well we don't know when life starts use the argument of these embryos will just be killed in support of using them for stem cell research. How are they going to be killed if they are not full of life
I will miss Mike Huckabee. Perhaps he will be Joint Chief of Staff. But I think Palin is a far better choice than MITT Romney. So I am well pleased. As I learn more about her the more I see it was a brilliant choice. Even so I, as a conservative, am very well pleased. I now relent, this long struggle. For Mike Huckabee has not really lost.
Most American's DO NOT favor abortion. Nor do they wish to align themselves with factions dedicated in butchering innocent babies inside and outside the womb. And NO, that baby is NOT the women's body; it is a separate body with a separate heartbeat and separate brain activity. And YES, the unborn baby FEELS PHYSICAL PAIN as it is being ripped out of what should be the safest place on earth - mother's womb!
The Planned Parenthood abortionists lie to young women all the time just to get their money, while those ex-mothers and ex-fathers suffer emotional distress as they realize everyday that they have just allowed a child killer to convince them, not only to take their money, but also to kill their precious little baby. Abortion STOPS A BEATING HEART and the future of a civilization.
People weep and wail over the loss of a High School football player destined for a great professional career who had been gunned down by a random shooter, but yet we will never know the great deficit future generations will suffer for the loss of over 50 million innocent babies in this country alone. Shame on America for tolerating this horror ... and shame on its citizens for tolerating their personal complacency. Pro-choice is a lie - Babies do not choose to die!
Away with this archaic freakish, barbaric practice! It will soon be done away with, along with these fake pro-abortion polling numbers! As long as the president chooses judicial nominees his Vice-president better be pro-Life if he is ever going to win an election.
"A nation that cannot protect its most innocent and helpless citizens and the sanctity of human life is a weak nation that will utterly collapse economically, socially, relationally and entirely." - HMH
ATHEISM is a CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. Get out while you still can.
http://www.evolutionfacts.blogspot.com
Palin cleaned up Alaska's corrupt government. Plus, she's had executive experience. She's run Alaska's government.
feet how can you say Palin is inexpereinced when Obama has no expereince greater than hers. In fact she has more accomplishments under her belt during the times they served in thier respectives areas.