It’s honestly a bit curious for me… the shift in all of this seems a bit reactive to me. Why so many former Repubs turning Demo? Maybe no one likes Bush, and so let’s do the anti-Bush thing.

Meanwhile, my neighbor across the street believes Obama is the anti-Christ. Seriously… and Oprah is the beast who will deceive the nations. His ambiguous ideals (i.e. “Is He Christian or Muslim or both?”), “shady name” (poor guy), and so on coupled with “The Oprah” and her audience can seem like a slice out of Left Behind for some.

Funny, eh?

And yet… for those who follow popular Lahaye/Jenkins theology I wonder if Obama is just the kind of personality to fill those shoes in the minds of premillenial millenials.

Politics to me aren’t about winning or losing… they’re about making the right decision in a society of bluffers. I know God gave us a mind to make decisions, but I’m going to spend more time away from the TV ads to make space for more prayer on this one.

I’m Tony Myles, an Ohio voter, and I approved this message.

but hey, my favorite president was Charlton Heston.

I’m hoping you will go back to NOT commenting on elections. Comment in issues, sure, but lets skip the elections and endorsements. After seeing Tina Fey on SNL this weekend, I’m having to seriously reconsider watching 30 Rock, one of my favorites. I was fine watching it–realizing that I did not agree politically with the main actors–but she went so far in her news comments that I am going to have trouble being amused by her. I hope i won’t be saying the same of you/YS some day after an election.

http://jeffgreathouse.blogspot.com/2008/02/dont-vote-for-obama.html

Eight years of Bush, and we’ve got a war we can’t resolve, a government that is increasing in size (and is frighteningly renegade in its perspective on things like privacy and torture), an arrogant reputation in the world-at-large, and (as James mentions) little-to-no progress on key conservative issues.

So this time, I’m looking for a person of character, who is worthy of trust, and who will inspire and challenge the nation to step up. “What can you do for your country?” It’s been far too long since accountability has been in our national lexicon.

I’m also aware (perhaps more than ever at this moment) that a president is not able to dramatically alter the moral direction of the nation; only God is capable of that. But if a president will call the people to a higher standard–and also *live it himself*–that will constitute leadership which we have not seen in many years…from *either* party.

That’s why I’m supporting Obama. Like many here, I’ve never found myself political; it’s distasteful to me. But I see a depth of character in Obama that I’ve seen in very few of our candidates (save Huckabee on the Republican side). The fact is, YES, I find him inspiring. Is such a thing important? Consider what it would be like to have a president who made America proud. With the exception of the months following 9/11, the past 16 years have been remarkably embarrassing years for the Oval Office.

When it comes to Obama and Huckabee, I don’t fully agree with either man. But I would trust either of them to lead with character and honesty, and to allow their decisions to be informed by their faith. If I take them at their word, both are brothers in Christ, and my conscience could rest easy voting for either one.

(Joe, I applaud your decision to withdraw your party affiliation — the party system is full of baggage, and only gets in the way of choosing the best candidate. But your no-vote, though it looks noble on the surface, smacks of judgment: “no one lives up to my standards.” Well, no one ever will. Sorry, but I don’t see Christ in that perspective.)

So for me, this time around is more about the person than the issues. And prayer that God would renew the spiritual vigor of this nation.