re: God Bless America:
I'm going to respond to you on this thread, because you pointed me to this discussion, and Maurice's posts on the subject.
Looking at the exit polls, and the patterns of which groups voted which way, it's clear to me why Kerry lost.
50 years ago, the Democrats were the party of the working man. Today, they are the party of people who don't go to church.
Most Americans go to church (at least sometimes), and almost all Americans say they believe in God. Therefore, whichever candidate is seen as closer to God has a big advantage.
Towards the end of the campaign, the Democrats saw their mistake. They made an effort to make a show of faith. But it was obviously forced, not really sincere, an afterthought. What they really believed is, "it's the economy, stupid", while the voter's #1 concern was "moral issues".
Bush is obviously sincere in his faith. His God may tell him to wage wars of aggression, his God may have no resemblance to the God who said, "forgive your enemies", but his faith is sincere.
I was talking today (at my regular Friday peace vigil), with a woman who had talked to some Mennonites. She thought the majority of the members of this historical peace church, had voted for Bush. I was stunned and amazed. I'd have guessed (wishful thinking, clearly), that 99.9% of the Mennonites had voted for Kerry. She said, Mennonites voted for Bush because:
1. Bush clearly believed in God, and Kerry's faith was an afterthought.
2. neither ran as a peace candidate (both wanted to fight till victory, both would keep the soldiers in Iraq), so there was no essential difference on the war issue.
3. on the "moral issues" (abortion, stem cell research, gays), where there was a clear distinction, they preferred Bush.
The Democrats have a problem with God.
JS@GodBlessAndorraandPeru |
