A Christian speaks to “Evangelicals” About the GOP Presidential Nomination

As you might have guessed from the title, I am addressing this to all those so-called “Evangelical Christians,” that are scattered across America. In a sense, I suppose I am an “evangelical,” in that I firmly believe in evangelizing, that is spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. But, I am not a subscriber to any denomination, creed, or philosophy other than the Bible itself. Regardless of my own religious beliefs, however, I feel it necessary to address my “fellow Christians,” on the subject of the Republican Presidential nomination.

Lately in the news it seems that many evangelical Christians are unhappy with the current field of candidates. This vexes me to no end. You see, the current field has a fine buffet of religious candidates. You’ve even got a Baptist preacher in Mike Huckabee. Folks, you can’t get more evangelical than a Baptist preacher. Rudy Giuliani and Sam Brownback are Catholics. Mitt Romney’s a Mormon, which I’ll grant you may be a bit peculiar, but the moral fabric of Mormons today is virtually unquestionable. Fred Thompson’s a member of the Church of Christ (just like me!), not to be confused with the United Church of Christ that Barack Obama is affiliated with. John McCain’s a Baptist, I guess; even though he has until recently proclaimed himself Episcopal. (Side note: John McCain flip-flops on his religion and gets off scot-free, what gives?) Ron Paul’s religion is rarely discussed, although he says he’s Protestant, whatever that means.

So there you go. Virtually every facet of Christendom is represented right before your very eyes, you have an immense smorgasboard of candidates to choose from. You can’t tell me there’s no candidate for you. Just pick one!

The latest buzz is that these “evangelicals” are considering a third-party candidate. Let me just say that for an evangelical to endorse a third-party candidate is nothing short of stupid, ignorant, idiotic, and foolish. That may sound a bit harsh, but frankly I don’t care because I am telling the truth. Endorsing a third-party candidate will split the vote and allow Hillary Clinton to be the first female President of the United States of America. Is that what they want? Do evangelicals want America to “suffer,” so that we’ll learn the “error of our ways?” Because that’s the only strategy I can see. You can forget a third party candidate winning. That’s nigh unto impossible, if not extremely unlikely.

That having been said, I’ll also say this: I do respect the evangelical voting bloc. They sway elections, and they’ve done it for years. But they are simply not enough to win elections alone. Conservatives across America must unite. The Republican party must unite. Winning the presidential election in 2008 is extremely important, regardless of who our nominee ends up being. I can see the reservations people have with Rudy Giuliani. I share those reservations. That’s why I’m not voting for him in the primary.

So here’s a little bit of advice for you evangelical Christians out there, find yourself a more conservative Republican and vote for him in the primary! And then, vote for him in the general election if he wins the primary. But don’t back a third-party candidate. And don’t refuse to vote unless you are comfortable with Hillary Clinton in the White House in 2008.