Ralph Reed and John McCain Or How The GOP Is Losing Its Religion

Boy, if anything is more in need of some good old-fashioned inspiration these days, it would be Republicans. As I was trained-up long ago in the ways of impartiality and journalistic neutrality, I went to hear Ralph Reed talk at the Atlanta Press Club (APC) about his new novel, Dark Horse, and all the "new politics" going on around us since Reed last held political court.

I thought it would be a hoot to have him sign my copy of the book. Which he did, although he wasn't terribly engaging, none of the breezy banter with the ladies that most socially inclined men would engage in at such a function. He was obviously looking beyond me for someone he recognized.

Reed is slight, small, well-tailored and smart looking. Attractive and telegenic. As someone once said, he looks doll-ish. Not a terribly big crowd came out to the Press Club for Reed. The ones who did were mostly, ummm, long in the tooth as they say. A handful of black folk and some Repug political hopefuls with obnoxiously loud mouths.

The APC couldn't get a sponsor for Reed's book-signing event. No one would touch him. No Atlanta media or business, which I thought was rather sad given that he is a prominent Georgia boy. A sign of the times, I suppose. As one person said, "He's toxic. And so is his party." In Georgia? Yes, even in Georgia.

The saddest part was watching Reed trying to be a good party cheerleader while still maintaining his religion. At one point he talked about how McCain was going to need every bit of the religious-conservative (evangelical and pro-life Catholic I assume) base of the party he could get to ever get elected, especially if Dems were going to register and turn out the anticipated large numbers of young, inspired, new voters.

At that point, I had to ask the question, "How can McCain, who's notoriously allergic to religion, possibly inspire and motivate religious conservatives then?" To which Reed answered by saying that McCain was really a religious person (oh sure), and that someone he knew, a name I didn't recognize so it was probably an evangelical preacher-type, had once "talked to McCain about his religion." Reed thought that McCain worshiped at some church in Arizona, but he didn't seem to know exactly what was the denomination.

When pressed for examples of how McCain has ever inspired the religious-conservative masses, Reed just said, "He's just going to have to be himself." Well, OK then. Fine by the secular humanist in me, but if that's supposed to satisfy, let alone "inspire and motivate," the evangelical masses to get to the polls, then I might as well be Pastor Rick Warren's next prom date.

Think I'll just go read the book now.

Comments

[MyGuyO]

John "McNasty" McCain, raised an Episcapalian, but now claims to attend the North Phoenix Baptist Churck.

[Chicago1968]

McCain....oooozing inspiration by just being himself.
The man can walk on water.
He just has a way with the ladies, the gents, the seniors and the frat boys.

[CeciliaBertrand]

A true believer in Christ values KNOWS where McCain's soul resides. Not a Rocket Science issue either. Truth followers know their own when he speaks, Obama speaks Christ values -- he lives them, the proof is in the pudding. Futher, Obama continues to survive the infections of smear campaigns everywhere. "No island formed against him prospers".

McCain on the other hand, has a lot of confusion within and without, his values change like the wind and he cannot remember what happened yesterday, or the difference between fact and fiction. We are now learning even his coveted military record is under scrutiny - truth will out - McCain is toast. As usual he is passing himself off as something he isn't.

[kkuate]

These are two questions John McCain answered on religion... I don't know when this interview took place, but his admission of being a practicing Christian, his making a point that our Constitution was paramount to the establishing of a Christian nation, while ignoring something so central to Christianity as baptism, allows us to see a bit into McCain's heart.

"1. What prevents you from taking that final step of undergoing the baptism?
I've had discussions with the pastor about it and we're still in conversation about it. In the meantime, I am a practicing Christian."

"2. So the baptism is something you still might do?
Oh, sure, yeah. But, some of the factors haven't got so much to do with religion as they have to do with just—I'm in conversations with [my] pastor about it, as short a time ago as last week. But I would not anticipate going through that during this presidential campaign. I am afraid it might appear as if I was doing something that I otherwise wouldn't do."

Practicing Christians know baptism is only way to become a member of the Lord's Church. Maybe Senator McCain needs to elaborate on why, after 72 years of living, he's still reluctant to be baptized.

[Colmore]

Maybe he would be uncomfortable, thinking of all the prisoners that have been waterboarded, something he thinks is acceptable. Reed is a little pencil-necked geek, who goes on about religion, while involved with Abrahmoff, ripping off the Indian casinos. He is no better than some of the televangelists who spout about religion, while practicing otherwise.

[HamletsMill]

I am going to start a new Christian denomination for people from the Bush Administration who want to be "saved". In my denomination there will be baptism by water boarding. If you survive, you are "saved". If you drown you are NOT "saved".

The Lord will decide.