First GOP Presidential Debate – “The Adult’s Table?”

In my last post, the Lord helped me analyze Carly Fiorina’s rise and the beginning of Donald Trump’s decline, all based on Biblical principles.  Boy, did I miss it regarding Mr. Trump.  Regardless, citizens of the Kingdom of God are never concerned with electability because Jesus is our King of Kings.  However, to be a true public servant, character matters.  Do the person’s words and deeds match?  Do they listen with humility to the concerns of – WE THE PEOPLE?  Do they uphold or ignore the law of the land – THE CONSTITUTION?  Do they behave with demonstrated respect for others, even those with whom they disagree?  Do they show partiality to others?  Do they Lord over others?  And, do they recognize that they are accountable for their decisions and actions?

The disciple of Jesus is not looking for the perfect candidate; however, it is reasonable to hold the person seeking the presidency to the highest human behavior standard – the cornerstone of Christianity – “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”

Much has happened since my last post.  Any analysis of the prime-time debate seems moot.  For example, I thought business mogul, Donald Trump did not do well enough to advance his campaign.  On August 20^th, Donald Trump brought into the immigration debate a renewed discussion on the 14^th Amendment to the Constitution and does birthright citizenship apply to, “Anchor-Babies.”  I agree that we need to address this issue and I welcome its debate.  The first sentence of Section 1, to the 14^th Amendment states, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”  How can someone enter our country illegally to have a child born in an American hospital be subject to the jurisdiction of the United States?  Has the mother consented to be governed by the State and Federal Government?  In addition Donald Trump on August 21^st spoke to a rally of approximately 30,000 supporters in Mobile, Alabama.  Consequently, his predicted decline was short lived if it happened at all.  It looks like Donald Trump will surprise everyone.

I have talked with Christians and to many it does not seem to matter whether or not he is a genuine believer.  Maybe, that is why he chose not to appear at the 2015 Western Conservative Summit (#WCS15, & Centennial Institute).  Consider this exchange between pollster Frank Luntz, Ph.D. and Donald Trump on July 18, 2015 during the Family Leadership Summit in Ames, Iowa.  Luntz asked, “Have you ever asked God for forgiveness?”

Donald Trump responded, “I’m sure I have.  I just go on and try to do a better job from there.  I don’t think so.  I think if I do something wrong, I think I just try and make it right.  I don’t bring God into that picture.  I don’t.”

This data point is important to determining Donald Trump’s potential presidential demeanor, behavior, and character.  I believe it is worth further observation and critical Biblical Worldview analysis.

Anyway, Ohio Governor, John Kasich made the cut.  He may be in the top ten during the next debate.  He played before a partisan Ohio crowd and touted his accomplishments in the United States Congress – balancing the Federal budget – and as Ohio’s Governor; he brought his state back from economic disaster.  As a member of the political class, he has governed Ohio well but showed progressive tendencies when he accepted Federal Medicaid funds, thus growing his state’s healthcare bureaucracy.  However, to win Florida and Ohio the Republican elite establishment seems to be running Governor Kasich for the VP spot rather than the presidency.  The GOP leadership’s pick, Former Florida Governor, Jeb Bush performed well enough to sustain support from the political class.  But the Washington, “Know-it-alls,” fail to recognize the candidates moving up – the non-political class.

New Jersey Governor, Chris Christi, and Kentucky’s Junior Senator, Rand Paul shouted each other down over expanding Patriot Act tools for matters of National Security versus 4^th Amendment unreasonable searches and seizers and 5^th Amendment due process protections of individual liberty.  At the very beginning of the debate, Senator Paul complained at Donald Trump’s refusal to make a pledge to support the Republican nominee.  He asserted Donald Trump was, “Hedging his bets,” as if he had some special Gnostic powers to discern another man’s motivations.  Both Senator Paul and Governor Christi must have forgotten women make up 53% of the nation’s electorate, and they do not like the vitriol and finger pointing.  These two demonstrated disrespectful behavior and cancelled each other out of the contest.  Their actions caused me to question if they belonged at the, “Adult’s Table.”  They both have loyal followers.  However, one or both will fall to the lower tier by the next debate in September, assuming they remain in the race.

One-term, Junior Senators, Marco Rubio of Florida, and Ted Cruz of Texas performed well to remain in the top tier.  Sooner or later, their, “One-term,” status will come into play.  Also, how many candidates from Florida and Texas do we need to run for the presidency?  Regardless, both Senators are first generation sons of legal Cuban immigrants.  Both worked hard to reach their respective positions.  And both won their Senate seats as non-establishment, Tea Party Conservatives.  I’ve studied both men and I believe Senator Cruz has proven his commitment to Constitutional-conservative principles standing for them during his 21-hour filibuster on the Senate floor in an attempt to defund Obamacare.

Contenders, former Arkansas Governor, Mike Huckabee and sitting Wisconsin Governor, Scott Walker presented the best answers regarding the abortion issue and what should be done about the infanticide organization, Planned Parenthood.  Both performed well and will be on the main stage in the next debate.  Mike Huckabee did the best job of mixing humor into serious answers and the live crowd responded accordingly (so did the moderators).  When addressing the redefinition of marriage on June 26^th, Mike Huckabee declared that the Supreme Court is not the Supreme Being and Congress can and should address this matter if they had courageous leadership.  From a Biblical point of view it is important to remember people comprise the Supreme Court.  The very best people are fallible people at best.  Just because they wear robes does not mean they are better than anyone else.  The Supreme Court has made mistakes in the past.  The Dred Scott decision comes to mind.  Kentucky Senator Rand Paul stated, “When the government begins to invade the church to enforce its opinion on marriage, it’s time to resist.”

The other gentleman who is not dependent on donors (although he’ll accept them) is neurosurgeon, Dr. Ben Carson.  He continues to impress with his civility.  Using the stale baseball euphemism, no candidate hit an answer out of the park.  However, Dr. Carson hit a solid single when he rejected a race-baiting question.  He stated he’s a neurosurgeon and when he operates on a person’s brain, he’s dealing with what makes them human, not their skin color.  During his closing comment, he won the debate by listing his accomplishments as a surgeon.  He stated he’s the only one to remove half a brain from a patient but it you go to Washington DC, you’d think someone else beat him to it.  That statement got replayed more than any other.  In some current polls, Dr. Carson is ranked in the number 2 position.  The establishment contenders, Jeb Bush and John Kasich are ranked four and eight respectively.  Even with their remaining half-brain, the Republican elites fail to see – voting American citizens reject the political class.

In summary, the 2016 election will not matter.  No president, congress or judiciary can turn this ship of state around unless we have a new president that leads the country in national repentance of our gross sins.  We who follow Jesus have become exiles in our country.  America has fallen too far.  It has extended the middle-finger salute to almighty God.  The culture has declared war on God’s people and His judgment of the nation has already begun.  Today, everyone who is reading this article must decide, who is Jesus – is he a liar, lunatic, or LORD?  Time is running out – it may already be too late.  How long will people waiver between two opinions?  If Jesus is LORD – and I know He is – choose this day to serve Him.  Today is the day of salvation.  Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand.

 

Thanks for reading.  If God permits, let the restoration of our Constitutional Republic begin.

For further entertaining and educational reading regarding a past Constitutional crisis, I linked my Christian, Historical Fiction, Civil War series here: Destination Hope.

Other related articles can be found at Centennial Institute Blog

First GOP Presidential Debate – “The Kid’s Table"

The first Grand Old Party (GOP) Presidential debate is over.  The political pundits have stated their opinions.  Those expressed in this article come from a Biblical Worldview.

Unfortunately, the split format of seven lower tier candidates in the afternoon and ten higher tier ones in the evening failed to yield a clear front runner.  Of the 17 presidential hopefuls, I think any of them will make a better public servant then the Democrat Party’s offerings and here is why.  Most of the GOP representatives put their love of our Constitutional Republic and the protection of individual, God-given rights and responsibilities above party interests.  The Democrat social progressive, MASTERMIND, ideology dictates what Carly Fiorina exposed in the afternoon session: “Progressives believe they are better than others, they are smarter than others, and they must take care of others.”  Democrats believe they must govern, tax, and regulate every facet of peoples’ lives because they know what is best and the American people are too stupid to govern themselves.

The mule party hides behind two false doctrines.  1. The common good is more important than protecting individual liberty.  This war between an all-powerful, centralized Federal government control versus individual liberty is what’s at stake should America have the opportunity to conduct a 2016 general election and inaugurate new leadership on January 20, 2017.  2. Statists follow with religious fervor the undisclosed, “Obama Doctrine,” as summarized by Frank Gaffney during the 2015 Western Conservative Summit (#WCS15, & Centennial Institute): “Embolden our enemies.  Undermine our friends.  Diminish our country.”

However, true disciples of Jesus Christ comprehend a different war – one between good versus evil.  We recognize our civic responsibility to engage in public discourse, but our motivation is to the highest calling to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.  This is the standard by which I graded our potential future leadership, for Jesus taught to know all people by their fruits – don’t listen to what they say alone, examine what they’ve done and what they do.  Do their words and deeds match?

Based on the only, truly objective standard – The Kingdom of God and His Righteousness – I can eliminate all DNC candidates and several of the Republican hopefuls.  The reason I can remove all DNC contenders; their god is the Federal government – not Jesus, the Holy One. 

Long before I watched the debates or put pen to paper, I prayed and asked God to remove all prejudice from my thinking, to grant me His gifts of wisdom and discernment, and to come under the governance of His Holy Spirit, as I evaluate the GOP hopefuls.  Relying on this firm foundation, the afternoon session yielded a clear winner.  Of the seven lower-tier candidates, Carly Fiorina performed well enough to move from the, “Children’s table,” into the top tier, most likely displacing Junior Kentucky Senator Rand Paul or New Jersey Governor, Chris Christy.  I will address Ms. Fiorina’s showing in more detail below.  But first, I will address the other six lower tier contenders.

Former three-term Governor of New York, George Pataki is a progressive, pro-choice Republican and a member of the political class.  Now, he claims to abhor abortions and believes life begins at conception.  In light of the sale of murdered babies’ body parts, Mr. Pataki claims he would defund Planned Parenthood.  He is willing to grant due process protection when a pre-born baby reaches twenty weeks.  This is easy to manipulate and shows no mercy to a pre-born baby nineteen weeks and under.  From a Kingdom perspective, George Pataki is disqualified to lead all American citizens.

The next unlikely candidate is former Governor of Virginia, Jim Gilmore.  His strength is his commitment to our nation’s defense.  However, I didn’t see much difference between him and the other Progressive, Political-class member, Senior Senator for South Carolina, Lindsey Graham.  Both claim that the nation needs a serious Commander-in-chief to take the fight to Islam.  Senator Lindsey Graham wants to send ground troops back to Iraq and into Syria right now to fight and destroy ISIL.  From a military perspective, deployment may be necessary.  Unfortunately, the American people are war weary.  They will seek a President who will present another approach (see Carly Fiorina below).

Louisiana Governor, Bobby Jindal, former United States Senator, Rick Santorum, and former three-term Texas governor, Rick Perry, may have done well enough to break into the top tier candidates, but I seriously doubt they will.  I like all three gentlemen.  They project optimism, they all have quality strengths and good policy ideas, and they apply Christian principles to their personal lives.  Governor Jindal claimed that he is a leader that does not follow the shifting wind of popular polls.  He had the best line regarding our nation’s illegal immigration problem: “Immigration without assimilation is an invasion.”  I couldn’t agree more.  The Constitution demands our government defend us – WE THE PEOPLE – against foreign (and domestic) invasions.

Former Senator, Rick Santorum had, in my opinion, the best ideas for stimulating the nation’s languishing economy.  For example, America can and should be the number one manufacturing nation in the world.  It starts with reducing personal and business born taxes.  Then, remove strangling federal and state regulations.  Finally, offer other incentives for manufactures to hire and train middle-income earning personnel.  Regarding, welfare reform, he reiterated what he accomplished in the senate during Bill Clinton’s presidency, applying time limits to entitlement recipients.  I supported Senator Santorum in 2012 because I observed the way he treated people with genuine kindness regardless of their economic status.  He remains one of my personal favorites, but I don’t think he’ll break into the upper tier.

Former Texas Governor, Rick Perry performed much better than he did during his 2012 debates.  He didn’t say, “Oops,” this time.  However, he did misspeak when he said our military personnel fought and died in Iran.  Obviously, he meant Iraq.  It is an easy error to forgive since much had been said about the Liar-in-Chief’s Iran nuclear deal.  Governor Perry’s strength is his passion to secure our southern border.  I wonder if he has the same attitude toward our northern boundary and our coastlines.  I think he lost his opportunity to advance while discussing the Iran deal.  He pointed to Carly Fiorina and stated that he would have rather had her negotiate the deal than John (get us all killed) Kerry.

This brings me to one of the true rising stars in this campaign, the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hewlett Packard, Ms. Carly Fiorina.  She is focused, she is principled, and she speaks with clarity, purpose, and civility.  As I wrote in a previous post, Carly Fiorina covers more topics with greater depth, brevity, and skill better than any other Republican candidate.  President Ronald Reagan earned, “The Great Communicator,” title.  Carly Fiorina runs circles around his sorely missed talent. 

Carly Fiorina has a better Iran deal solution: 100% any time, anywhere (nuclear and military facilities), without restrictions, inspections, or else we will make it impossible to move Iranian money around the globe.  She has a better ISIS approach: meet with our better middle-eastern allies and provide them with the tools they need to destroy ISIS.  Most importantly, she is a truth teller. 

In the Kingdom of God, truth is most important.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  She spoke the truth when she compared the difference between Conservative principles and Progressive hope and change.  We military types frequently say, “Hope is not a strategy.”  The change we’ll see under another progressive regime will come in the shape of a mushroom cloud.  Understanding this, she committed to be strong against Hillary Clinton.  She said she would not pull any punches when confronting Hillary.  For these few and numerous other reasons, as people get to know more about Carly Fiorina, she’ll move up.

I will address the top tier contenders in my next post.  However, I want to provide a preview of the current frontrunner.  Regarding Donald Trump, an old saying comes to mind, “A self-made man worships his creator (himself).”  This is the pride of life and epitomizes how I perceive Donald Trump.  Carly Fiorina asked a reasonable question, “By what principles will he govern.”  Senator Ryan Paul exposed how Donald Trump buys and sells politicians to get them to do what he wants.  The Bible teaches, “A double minded man is unstable in all of his ways.”  He has changed his mind about healthcare, gun control, amnesty, and abortion.  If he is a Christian, when did he become one?  What is his testimony of repentance and conversion of trust in Jesus for salvation?  It is hard to balance his behavior against the weight of scripture.  According to Kingdom of God principles, I have examined his tree and I do not find edible fruit.  He’s been weighed in the balance and he’s come up wanting.

Thanks for reading.  Let the restoration of our Constitutional Republic begin.

For further entertaining and educational reading regarding a past Constitutional crisis, I linked my Christian, Historical Fiction, Civil War novels here: Destination Hope.