How Democrats can win in the South: Invoke evangelical themes

[bluestateguy]

Pay attention to Gov. Bob Riley of Alabama, a Republican who is linking a liberal issue agenda (making the state's tax code less regressive) with evangelical Christian camapign themes. I suggest Democrats in the South try to do this more often. It may give them an audience among some voters who might otherwise tune them out, and give their liberalism some political cover. Fact is that southerners, white and black, liberal and conservative are more religious than non-southerners and I think they would approve of a liberal Democrat who framed liberal issue stances through such rhetoric.

[JohnKleeb]

1. hmmmmmmm

well my guy is kinda religious I guess. :shrug:

[grytpype]

2. Maybe we should start speaking in tongues.

I'll get out my old Robert Tilton tapes.

"Hassahlassahmassah woandofodoodle... thank you Jeezus, thank you Jeezus... Jeezus just told me he wants you to vote Democratic."

[mlawson]

3. Well, Bill and Al did that at times.

I am not sure that it's why Clinton carried certain states, but it probably didn't hurt. But OTOH, if voters want someone who acts like a repuke, they will probably vote for a REAL one.

[bluestateguy]

5. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton do it

And I never hear liberals complain about it. You missed my point, which is that Democrats should use evangelical rhetoric and hitch it to a liberal issue agenda, i.e. "Support a fairer, less regressive tax system. Do justice to the poor as Jesus did".

[mlawson]

9. I.e., assume the Religious Left.

I have always wondered why the Dems rarely do that. But I wonder why they don't do (or do) a LOT of things...

[ButterflyBlood]

19. how's it acting like a repuke?

pointing out how Christian progressive taxes really are is not being Repuke-lite, it's pointing how unChristian Repuke policies really are.

[poskonig]

4. Lieberman is pretty good at this.

Though I would prefer to address jobs, or lack of.

[jiacinto]

6. I was at a conference in DC a few weeks ago

And a girl from Alabama basically told me that she is a Democrat because she is a Chrisitian.

[pstokely]

7. many are repukes simply because they are against abortion

nt

[JohnKleeb]

8. not true at least in my family

I think it could root from homophobia but actually abortion is important but not in the more religious side of my family but to most against abortion I guess theres truth to that but in my family its not.

[RobertFrancisK]

12. Yeah it's a tough issue

I personally am completely against abortion on a personal level because I'm a Catholic, but I seperate it and realize that not everyone shares my beliefs and outlawing it would be impractical. Some people just can't do that.

[SharonAnn]

23. That's what I tell people when they ask why I left the Republican

party. I tell them that as a Christian, it was the only choice since the Democrats come far closer to what Jesus preached.

[Impeach Whistle Ass]

10. Fly the confederate flag, vow to protect state flags

with the stars and bars. That's about the only thing southerners care about. Promise them that, and they'll be happy. Not like the blacks alienated by such a position would vote republican.

[QC]

13. Here's the flamebait post!

Surprised that it took all of 18 minutes to show up.

[mlawson]

17. And notice he doesn't say where he (she) is from.

But I bet I know....

[RobertFrancisK]

11. I think you're right

As I recall, the Bible is pretty direct when it takes about helping the poor and being selfless. Matthew 19:24: "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." If the religious right thinks it can argue that Jesus was wrong in saying this, I'll be impressed.
The liberal agenda is the ethical agenda. The Bible has so many things thrown in it that conservatives can find obscure passages to back up their claims, but the general theme completely falls in line with liberalism. Jesus was the original hippy protestor! Out to get the establishment of hypocrites and spread the word of love, peace and forgiveness.

[w4rma]

14. I fully agree, bluestateguy.

http://www.liberalslikechrist.org/

[JohnKleeb]

15. ummm I like that site but errr the specific targeting of Catholicism

errr kinda bothers me. Not saying my faith is perfect or any where near it but I myself have gotten in to disputes with liberator rev(hes a DUer and thats his site). Just saying really.

[gristy]

16. I am not religious at all, but I agree

that the Dems might benefit from some extra evangelical spin in their campaigns in the South next year. The presidential candidate would have to be cautious so as not to appear two-faced (e.g. secular in the north, evangelical in the south), but maybe it could work out if well-executed.

And I like the optimism of RobertFrancisK's post:

As I recall, the Bible is pretty direct when it takes about helping the poor and being selfless. Matthew 19:24: "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." If the religious right thinks it can argue that Jesus was wrong in saying this, I'll be impressed.
The liberal agenda is the ethical agenda. The Bible has so many things thrown in it that conservatives can find obscure passages to back up their claims, but the general theme completely falls in line with liberalism. Jesus was the original hippy protestor! Out to get the establishment of hypocrites and spread the word of love, peace and forgiveness.

[TheBigGuy]

18. Could work...reminds me a bit of Julian Caroll.

He was the Kentucky governor during a part of the 1970s...and he ended up as a baptist preacher. So evangelical xtianitiy and progressive politics could mix.

[JohnKleeb]

21. some of the peace dems of the 60's and 70's

were children of ministers like
McGovern and Mondale
JFK's secretary of agriculture was a lutheran minsiter, Orville Freeman died recently. I dunno about evanglicalness being that I am not that way.

[nomaco-10]

20. I live in Tennessee

The repugs pander to the absolute paranoia people have when it comes to taking their guns away. There is also the fundamental religious community that are still homophobic and anti abortion, the repukes take advantage of that too. Southern people are very private and circumspect by nature and the "less government" catch phrase really goes over well with them. It's alot different in the larger cities like Atlanta, Memphis and Nashville, they have become very progressive.. Tennessee is a great state with alot of warm, wonderful people. I believe the tides are turning here and I think the next election will be very close. I know more came out in 2000 to vote for Gore, but I'm hoping they will come out again in 2004 to help rid this country of the pestilence that is called the bush* administration. I will be here fighting the good fight to make sure we all get out and vote dem.

[JanMichael]

22. I'd have to lie but F' it.

Whatever works...Unless of course it backfires and the religious right hi-jacks the Democratic Party too.

That would suck ass "big time".

[Kahuna]

24. Like: It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle..

than for pResident bush to tell the truth. I like it! }(