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