February 16, 2004
The Possibility of a Christian President?
If presidential politics in fact boils down to a point in which
"only the rules of Realpolitik can win you the prize" and once there, "You cannot afford transparency or deliberation as the race intensifies." then how could a Christian ever be president? I agree with Jay Rosen's analysis (Thanks
David for the link), but I think it puts anyone who would challenge the system in an impossible predictament.
For instance, Joe Trippi speaks in the same article about keeping ideas from John Kerry. If I were Howard Dean, (and I'm not (this isn't a criticism of Dean or Trippi ... its a reflection on their experience)) I wouldn't care if Kerry started sounding like me. The ideas would be the only important thing. I'd be happy to point to the date-stamps that proved that the ideas were mine but Rosen argues that I'd never get the chance.
Posted by Trevor at February 16, 2004 12:00 PM
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Sorry about that--I didn't think my post was that important.
Good point. I'm not sure if a Christian can be a President for other reasons as well. It seems to me that the Gospel is a witness over against the political structures of the world, not a basis for their foundation that will make the kingdom manifest through electoral vote. I always tell my friends I'm not sure if a person can be both a Christian and the President--but if the (alleged) "Christian politician" has been formed by the Gospel, his campaign tacticts sure as hell won't get him elected!