Romney Catastrophe

Better Titled: 
The GOP Catastrophe
By Jessica Walworth

I am an ex-Mormon—but, that’s not why I don’t support Mitt Romney as the Republican Presidential Candidate for 2012.

Though it is hard to separate what I know about Mormonism’s view of religion’s role in politics, Romney has neither my vote nor my support.

And yet realistically, especially after last night’s GOP debate in Michigan, Romney is the 2012 GOP candidate.

Look at the other leading candidates:
Cain? He has been caned—and I do apologize for the pun.
Not only has his 9-9-9 Plan become more of a punch-line than a serious consideration, but also he used Mark Block taking a drag on national TV as a campaign commercial. Plus, Cain has the whole current-sexual-harassment-accusations against him. Regardless if those allegations disappear, the stigma won’t.

Then Perry. Oh, Perry. It can’t be put better than Erick Erickson’s analysis on redstate.com: “Perry, who came out principled and fiery with a record others could only envy, has left [voters] with the impression that he’s a poor man’s version of the village idiot.”

Perry is done. Not only did he prove anything but eloquent in almost every GOP candidate debate, [the leading example being last night’s debate: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/45248551] but also the man has yet to come across as sincere. It’s one thing to misspeak, but it’s a different issue when a candidate appears to be reciting poorly memorized policy—especially when the policy promises to end thousands of jobs and dislodge millions of dollars.
And there was that stint where Perry—Mr. Harsh-Immigration-Policy—called Governor Romney out for his “weak” immigration stance while knowingly employing illegals.
Please note: I am not opposed to his employing illegals—I am opposed to hypocrisy.

So, once again, the GOP nominee will be the winner of the political game “Best of the Worst.” The 2012 election will come down to President Obama against another non-conservative Republican.And I am going to predict that the non-conservative Republican will be Governor Mitt Romney.

Actually, in Romney’s case, the label non-conservative is not even close to being a strong enough term.
In 2008, John McCain’s campaign released a 200-page, single-spaced account of Mitt Romney’s changing positions on issues. [See: http://bit.ly/sTeisJ] This is not only an account of different platforms Romney has run under the auspices of, but also an account of Romney’s voting record.

This analysis shows that Romney is both unprincipled and potentially the most indecisive candidate to run—GOP or Democratic—in at least 20 years. While Americans may be done with the recession, and unemployment, and foreign policy, and other recent reforms, they will forgive Obama before they trust a flip-flopping candidate like Romney.

I was too young to vote in the 2004 Presidential Election, but I remember it well. The week before Election Day, teachers, administrators, and a large majority of students at my public high school, united in the “Flip-Flop Movement.” Everyone wore flip flops to call John Kerry out for his flip-flop stance on the War Against Terrorism in Iraq. That was one change of stance on one issue. How is the voting populace going to react to Romney’s history?

For the GOP to win the 2012 election, the Republican candidate is going to have to epitomize the conservative ideal and stand in stark contrast to our incumbent President.

Voters may not like Obama—but if they have to choose between President Obama, whose polices have generally been consistent, and Governor Mitt Romney, a wild card with a history of instability and indecisiveness, who will they choose?

To Tebow or Not To Tebow?

An Analysis of Standards
By Dan Steinbach

On Sunday, October 23, Tim Tebow, Denver Broncos quarterback, gave praise to his God for an incredible victory. After trailing all game, Tebow rallied the Broncos to a victory, ending with two touchdowns, 59 rushing yards (including a two-point conversion), and a quarterback rating of 91.7%. The statistics, however, are not causing the recent Tebow-craze. This trend is actually a response to Tebow’s public demonstration of faith. Fans, and dissenters, tweeted, Facebooked, and are still blogging about the time Tebow took a knee.

But why the publicity now? Why, all of a sudden, is the bowing of a knee making national news? After all, Tebow is not the first celebrity to take a knee to thank his God. Tebow has even been consistent in demonstrating his faith in his career; from Florida Gator to Denver Bronco Tebow has always given God the glory for his wins and his abilities. While the public has watched, or dug, for any element of hypocrisy from Tebow, he remains above reproach. And that consistency? Has caused the craze.

It is interesting; however, that it is not just Christian sports stars under attack for demonstrating faith. Today, any Christian in the public spectra, including celebrity, politician, or athlete, is under heavy scrutiny by not only the media but also fellow Christians.

In 2009 former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, a self-titled Christian, was caught having an affair. The media tore him apart asking how he could show “such a lack of decency.” Sanford’s affair made him the laughingstock of the nation—yet former US President Bill Clinton’s affair was only a “private matter.” That inconsistency speaks volumes: Even the public holds Christians at a higher standard. Look at “10 Questions Worth Asking about a Candidate’s Faith,” posted in The Washington Post last month by Robert Crosby. This article evidences that if a person’s faith does not match his actions, the repercussions in public opinion will be huge.

Christians are also being attacked for living out their faith in the classroom. Former George Mason University Biology professor, Dr. Caroline Crocker, was fired for presenting the idea of Intelligent Design as a valid creation theory. Crocker refused to present evolution as indisputable and introduced the idea of a supreme creator. Although Crocker presented both theories she was reprimanded and let go from the college. In a world yearning for tolerance and open-mindedness, it seems at least problematic that a Christian world-view has been deemed intolerable.

So, what happens when an athlete or a politician or an educator is not consistent to his faith? He is ridiculed, mocked, and belittled. That is fair, hypocrisy should be considered reprehensible—yet, when a Christian holding the same public office is above reproach, consistent, and faithful to Christianity? Well, cases like Tebow or Crocker show that the consistent Christian is treated just like the hypocrite.

If Tebow desires to bow the knee to his God, then let him take a knee; if a candidate proclaims he is a Christian, hold him to it; and if a classroom is supposed to be tolerant and open-minded to every view, make sure it is.