Political Nanny : religion and politics

Barack's Big Boy Speech

Madeline Holler — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:12:00 GMT

Barack should thank his controversial preacher.

The fiery sermons of Rev. Jeremiah Wright, which were widely played and criticized this past week, set the very stage in Philadelphia today for Obama to make this very important, very moving, very intelligent speech, "A More Perfect Union." Race is officially out on the table.

By now we all know Obama is a fabulous speaker, but this is the first time Political Nanny has heard him speak like the big boy he's getting to be. For emotional family background highlights, skip ahead to minutes 3:20. Around minute 6:00, he gets to his pastor. Minute 10:00, he's describing the church. And by 13:11, we get how Obama can reconcile the contradictions he says the Rev. Wright embodies. Obama has lived with and been loved by the embodiment of these contradictions his whole life.

"I can no more disown him than I can disown my white grandmother ... a woman who sacrificed again and again for me ... a woman who loves me as much as she loves anything in this world, but a woman who once confessed her fear of black men who passed by in the street. A woman who on more than one occasion uttered racial or ethnic stereotypes that made me cringe. These people are part of me and they are part of America, this country that I love."

He argues Wright was wrong. But that doesn't mean America has put the issues of race behind it. Obama shows he understands what's behind the Rev. Wright's words, and also that he has a deep understanding of the white/sanctimonious America's reaction to it. Neither are off the hook; he lists the consequences of both. Obama relates Wright's anger to the anger of lower and middle class Americans (including whites), who have been called on exclusively to sacrifice for all the injustice without their problems also being heard. He calls out the media for how it as exploited all of it.

The final four minutes tie up his message of unity in a pretty bow -- a demonstration of how we're all in it together, we've all got the same goals. Those goals don't include mustard and relish sandwiches. No, not in America, not for anybody.

Political speeches, especially 30+-minute ones, are often something only a political nanny could love. But not this time. This speech is brilliant -- universally brilliant.

And if you're going to accuse Political Nanny of playing favorites, please note: Charles Murray (yes, the very conservative "some folks are genetically inferior" The Bell Curve guy), thinks it's brilliant too.

What did you think? Does Obama get it? Do McCain or Clinton have enough credibility to deal with race issues? Do you think they get it?

Video: Obama08/YouTube

Mighty Heartin' Huckabee

Madeline Holler — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 21:31:00 GMT

How is it that Mike Huckabee continues to enchant voters and carry whole states in these primary elections and caucuses? It can't just be his freaky ideas about Jesusing-up the Constitution. Can it?

Political Nanny thinks it has everything thing to do with the guy's persona, speaking style and ability to sound completely plugged in and relevant. The crazy talk gets lost in the one-liners. From The Caucus, the NYTimes political blog, we get these gems from a Chesapeake primary day breakfast with journalists:

On running for the United States Senate if this presidential thing doesn’t work out: “It’s more likely I’ll dye my hair green, get a bunch of tattoos and go on tour with Amy Winehouse.” He said "Amy Winehouse"! Does McCain know about Amy Winehouse?

On the recent flood of endorsements of Mr. McCain, now that he is close to securing the nomination: “What are these people saying – that they were for him all along but just forgot to tell him?” Ouch!

On why Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton seems to be struggling right now: “She does not have the personality of her husband. Very few people do.” See, he sounds completely reasonable -- not at all mean.

On why he stays in the race, despite the long political and mathematical odds: “The path to victory is a complicated one for me. The path to defeat is easy – I could just quit.” Thanks coach. Let's hit the showers!

Come on. Don't you heart Huckabee just a little? Maybe ... this much?

And Then There Were 5: Another Candidate Waves Bye-Bye

Madeline Holler — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:35:00 GMT

[UPDATE BELOW] Another candidate has thrown in his teddy bear bath towel and will withdraw from the rugrat election race.

He hasn't made it official yet, but advisers to the once very likely GOP nominee are confirming that former Massachussetts governor Mitt Romney will announce Thursday that he is ending his presidential election campaign. He's expected to make the announcement when he address conservatives at a convention Thursday afternoon.

Romney takes with him his five sons, loads of grandkids, his lovely wife and a much lighter personal fortune. Leading up to the Super Tuesday primaries and caucuses, he had spent more than $35 of his own money to keep his campaign afloat.

More details as we get them. In the meantime, Political Nanny will pack up his change of clothes and favorite playthings and prepare for another good-bye. We suppose Huckabee was correct Tuesday night when he said it's now a two-man race over on the GOP side (sorry, Ron Paul).

It's now John McCain's nomination to lose. With more room in the sandbox, the rest of them win!

[UPDATE] Romney told a shocked audience of conservatives his reasons for abandoning his presidential dreams. In summary, Iraq:

“in this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign be a part of aiding a surrender to terror.

“Barack and Hillary have made their intentions clear regarding Iraq and the war on terror. They would retreat and declare defeat,” said Romney.

“And the consequence of that would be devastating. It would mean attacks on America, launched from safe havens that make Afghanistan under the Taliban look like child’s play. About this, I have no doubt.”

Others, like Brian at DailyScanner, see it as a postponement of the Apocolypse.

What's your take? Good news? Bad news? If Mitt was your guy, who will you support now?

via Politico

President Jesus' Co-Pilot

Madeline Holler — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 18:41:00 GMT

As if there weren't enough candidates to choose from, a political operative for Jesus Christ has announced His run for higher office and opened up the miracle worker's candidacy for vice presidential nominations. The bumper sticker may declare Jesus as YOUR co-pilot. But who, indeed, is His?

Stephen Heffner, a lapsed Catholic and former reporter, recently launched the website JesusIn2008.com. He asks that people weigh in on the Holy Candidate's platform and also propose a running mate. Heffner hopes this process will help voters when they go to the voting booth in November. A Georgetown University professor sees it another way:

From USA Today: "[the website] will let the secularists and non-believers get their ya-yas out because it'll be funny to see evangelicals and fundamentalists fume." Damn God-baiting secularists!

There are three rules for participating: you can't preach or behave rudely. And no miracles.

After all, if Jesus were to use miracles to solve the energy crisis or fund Social Security, strategic debate would be pointless, says Heffner.

Instead, Heffner wants participants in this online convention to think of Jesus not in terms of the personal savior, or, Political Nanny assumes, Mike Huckabee, rather:

Our candidate is Jesus the man, the revolutionary individual who comes to us through history as a model for ethical and moral human behavior – the exemplar whose first instinct in any situation was, simply, to do the right thing, according to the website.

Feel free to weigh in on platform issues like the Death Penalty (some commenters make the case that Jesus would oppose it -- take that W!), Community & Capitalism (others argue Jesus would have been something of a regulator -- what do you think of that, Dick Cheney?), Abortion (a discussion that's a little less dogmatic than Political Nanny expected, better alert Ralph Reed!) and Gay Marriage (Jesus wouldn't hold how a person is born against them -- feeling woozy, state Republican leaders?).

As far as VPs, so far there are nominations for Mike Huckabee (ready to revise the Constitution), Mitt Romney (since JC lacks critical administrative experience, argues one), Jerry Brown (can't figure that one out), Lucifer (a secularist's ya-yas?), Mohammad Yunus, founder of the Grameen Bank of Bangladesh (the microloans guy), and a couple of others Political Nanny, who confesses to being woefully untrained in theology, does not recognize.

Of course, there's the small matter of the requirement that American presidents be born on U.S. soil. Hmmm, Jesus might want to hook up with Arnold Schwarzenegger and work on that one. (Now THERE'S a possible running mate.)

Ahhh, the virtual political process works in mysterious ways.

Photo: passtheammo.com

Candidates, Political Nanny Loves You. Now Change!

Madeline Holler — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Over the past three months, Political Nanny has grown to love her lot of disagreeable, argumentative, name-calling, cackling, power-praying little presidential candidates. They're approaching the first of many back-to-back primary election milestones -- only three days until Iowa! -- but have already blossomed into tough and sturdy and, how shall we put this, flexible campaigners.

But could they be better? Oh, couldn't we all. In the spirit of starting anew, Political Nanny has made some resolutions for the campaigning men and woman of 2008.

Over at the Democrats' favorite playground ...

Barack Obama: resolve to inspire (again … and, alone!). What happened to the guy who swept us all off of our feet nearly four years ago? This sparkling source of hope has gotten dull from so much positioning and polling and over-wrought handling. Get back to the basics -- make change feel possible! Make it feel inevitable! If the old caucusing biddies in Iowa (or New Hampshire or South Carolina) weren’t going to vote for you months ago, they’re not going to vote for you now. Indeed, one person can change the world. We just don't want Oprah to think it's her!

Hillary Clinton: tear down that wall! This distance you keep from the voting public reminds us of a certain guy president and no, we’re especially not talking about your husband! So let us in. Let us ask questions – any question! Not pre-approved ones! Trust us! We’ll do the right thing! Trust yourself! You've got the answers!

Joe Biden: Keep on keeping on. You know everything, you really do. You probably even know you don’t have a chance to win. But the candidates need you – America needs you. In government and in this campaign. You turn meta-answers into concrete plans, Joe. You say what we need to hear, not what we want to hear.

Chris Dodd: Be (even more) like Joe. With two of you, oh, how the front-runners won’t get away with pandering to the polls!

John Edwards: John, sweetheart, listen. You have got to expand your message to the middle and upper middle class (who look more like the lower- and middle-class you're talking about, everyday). Here's the deal: the mortgage industry is handing you talking points for these people who, to be honest, you might sorta be alienanting with your anti-corporate talk (you see, that’s where they work!). But with housing, ohhhhh, housing. Just bring up housing, foreclosures, bubbles, all of it -- and they’re listening. They're listening to you.

Bill Richardson: Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the vice presidential stars.

Dennis Kucinich: Don’t go changing to try to please Political Nanny. She loves you just the way you are.

Mike Gravel: Come here and give Political Nanny a hug, you silly guy.

Now back at Camp GOP ...

Rudy Giuliani: Rudy, Rudy, Rudy. So much to love. So much to loathe. Political Nanny would like you to be your own guy. She knows that Republicans often get bullied by big scary Christians who claim to be friends. But would real friends ask you to be someone you’re not?

John McCain: Resolve to stay tough. And be strong. You keep hope alive for conservatives who don't necessarily think the church and state are one and the same. Oh, and next time a supporter mentions The Bitch, show some sac, dear John, and don't be so quick to laugh.

Mike Huckabee: Michael! That's enough! You, my boy, are a man of faith. But you must also resolve to be a man of respect. If all you have to offer Americans are platitudes and religious references, please reconsider your leadership goals and run for president of the Southern Baptists. Because Political Nanny likes her America inclusive, cohesive and as plural as it can get.

Fred Thompson: Sit down, honey, let’s talk. Political Nanny thinks you don’t actually want to run for president. And you know what? That’s perfectly fine. No shame in “spending time with the family.” So, whenever you’re ready to call it quits, know that millions of others are ready for it too.

Duncan Hunter: Still more are ready to see you go, Duncan. So, Political Nanny would like to see even less of you in the new year, young man. You can use the extra down time for painting murals on your very special wall.

Mitt Romney: Political Nanny thinks you’re a good boy, Mitt, she really does. But you want your buddies to like you so much that you’ve changed your mind, mainly by closing it. You say such damaging things to millions of families in the U.S. and completely dismiss millions of others. Political Nanny wants to see you be the truest, most honest version of yourself in 2008.

Ron Paul: You're doing something right, Ron Paul. Look at all those people giving you money! But that doesn't make you perfect, not by any means. In the new year, Political Nanny would like you to work on (1) living in reality, (2) increasing your dosage of paranoia-tempering thorazine and (3) smiling.

And last but not least, a New Year's resolution for her GOP debate interloper and possible candidate (please, please, please) Alan Keyes: Just. Do. It.

Happy New Year, kids! And Happy New Year, voters! Let's resolve to get together everyday for a little election downtime with Political Nanny!

Nanny Cam: Sorry 'Bout That Satan Thing, Says Mike

Madeline Holler — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:37:00 GMT

Mike Huckabee apologized to Mitt Romney today for an explosive quote in an upcoming New York Times Magazine feature on him. In it, according to early reports, he says Mormons think Jesus is Satan. Which has outraged everyone, even non-believers, even Political Nanny. (She can't wait to read the article!)

But today, after the GOP debates (where Romney came across, finally, as very presidential) and in front of a small group of gathered Iowans, Huckabee apologized. Kind of. In that blame the reporter kind of way. In that talk-around-the-issue way. He says he didn't mean it. In his jokey, self-depracating and vague way. Something Political Nanny used to love about him, but now makes her feel dirty.

Thank you, Mike, sit down.

(From Atlantic PoliBlog)

Two Extra Cookies: Whoever Made This Video

Madeline Holler — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 20:06:00 GMT

Thank you to DailyKos for pointing us to this video. It comes at a time when Political Nanny has been feeling particularly let down by her little funny guy Mike.

While Political Nanny would like to keep a certain level of decorum among her candidates, she’s not above making fun of them when they’re out of the room. Quick. Mike’s on the potty.

Two Minutes in the Naughty Chair: Huckabee … Because He Stopped Being Fun

Madeline Holler — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:55:00 GMT

Back when he was just a formerly obese, bass-playing blip on the election radar, it was easy for Political Nanny to like Mike Huckabee. Not for president of course, but for a bit of levity in this way to serious, overly polished, super-handled stage-show of the elections. He was sunny in a crowd of frightened faces. He was at ease despite the other candidates’ podium-pounding defensiveness and anger.

Overnight he got popular. Now he’s a contender. And we’re finding out stuff about him that leaves Political Nanny feeling a tad icky toward her funny boy Mike.

Flashback to the ‘90s, which were apparently his heady days of prejudice and ignorance:

He blamed disastrous weather, school rampages and other unpredictable destruction on "the winds of spiritual change in a nation that has forgotten its God." (Thanks to Pandagon for the link)

In explaining why he wanted to be governor of Arkansas, a state we can only presume promises to look after citizens of all creeds:

"I didn't get into politics because I thought government had a better answer. I got into politics because I knew government didn't have the real answers, that the real answers lie in accepting Jesus Christ into our lives."

We’ve all heard how he wanted to quarantine AIDS sufferers and refuses to renounce these past opinions.

Or offer an apology for releasing a rapist, who went on to attack again.

The latest and most alarming of all this is his or his faith’s (one and the same?) regard for women and their roles in family life (Thanks to DailyKos for this):

In August of 1998, Huckabee was one of 131 signatories to a full page USA Today Ad which declared: "I affirm the statement on the family issued by the 1998 Southern Baptist Convention." What was in the family statement from the SBC? "A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ."

The ad Huckabee signed specifically said of the SBC family statement: "You are right because you called wives to graciously submit to their husband's sacrificial leadership."

But it's not just the missteps of earlier times. Let's flash-forward to yesterday:

He’s attacking Romney’s religion in just the language one might use to address uninformed Evangelicals. Going after someone’s particular brand of religion – um, as a Southern Baptist minister! -- is not only desperate, it’s really, really ugly. Even Political Nanny recognizes this and she’s already sick of candidates on both sides who pander hard to the creationist, anti-abortion, “traditional marriage” faithful.

Political Nanny would prefer that Mike H. sit in the Naughty Chair all afternoon, because he has a lot to think about. But he has to get to the final GOP debate before the Iowa caucuses. She’s hoping to see him squirm.