I should confess right off that I voted for George W. Bush in 2000 because, in part, he was a man of faith. He called himself a “compassionate conservative,” which was how I liked to think of myself. After a couple of years, I realized the man I had voted for wasn’t very compassionate or conservative, at least not fiscally. By the end of his second term, I was ready for someone totally different. Yet, even though my politics had shifted, I still wanted to vote for someone that shared my values.
In 2007, I heard a rumor that Barack Obama was going to visit the Bethel AME Church in my hometown of Nashville, Tennessee. He was here to campaign with Harold Ford, who was running for the US Senate. While then-Senator Obama wasn’t yet running for President, he was obviously considering it. Like a lot of people, I’d heard Senator Obama’s speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention and was intrigued enough that I drove across town to see him in person.
When we got there on Sunday morning, we were surprised that the small church wasn’t even full. It didn’t seem like word had gotten out. I don’t remember any cameras or reporters. While we were about the only white people, we were warmly welcomed. The young minister admitted he was nervous and then went on to pray in a moving way. The singing rang to the rafters and there was a real feeling that the Holy Spirit was in the house.
When it came time for Senator Obama to say a few words, I expected to hear a well rehearsed stump speech. Instead, he openly and enthusiastically talked about his background and his coming to faith. Apparently, he told us a lot more than he told Franklin Graham about how he came to accept Christ, at least more than Franklin chooses to remember. We all left moved by the entire service and I felt that I had not only witnessed a great speaker, but someone I could believe in again.
As President Obama’s first term nears completion, I am still proud of my vote and the record he is running on for re-election. He has not worn his faith on his sleeve or taken up the social issues that divide us as a country. For me, that’s a huge step in the right direction. To my continual amazement, he has consistently risen above the rancor and the hostility that is regularly hurled at him. And, whether conscious of it or not, he is quietly following the principles I find in the Bible.
For example, President Obama has provided access to medical care for people who least can afford it. He expanded the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to insure four million children and pregnant mothers. (President Bush vetoed two attempts to expand coverage to this same group). Prior to the Affordable Healthcare Act, anyone with a ‘pre-existing condition,’ could be denied coverage, charged two or three times what they were paying, or have their benefits slashed.
Another tangible way of sticking up for the little guy is through the Credit Card Reform Act. This caps and cuts an assortment of fees, gives consumers more reasonable opportunities to pay off their debt, and restricts a credit card company’s ability to arbitrarily raise interest rates. President Obama boosted funding for the SEC to fight insider trading and started the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, once again standing up to challenges from the powerful banking lobby and Republicans.
While domestic oil production has increased during President Obama’s first term, he has given the EPA more tools to enforce existing laws on the books. He’s also been investing in cleaner forms of energy, such as wind, solar, and bio-fuels. Perhaps over-reaching at times, he’s at least attempting to give alternatives a chance to compete with big oil, gas and coal. Taking a stand for the environment sometimes comes at political peril and there will be many who will ridicule anything that deviates from business as usual.
President Obama is in the process of ending two foreign wars that have cost thousands of lives and billions of dollars. While no can accuse President Obama of being weak on defense, he has sought peaceful solutions first. His critics will point to the deficit, which is a valid concern. However, slashing the budget during a recession is a sure way to extend the economic downturn. It also seems to me that President Obama has been more than willing to negotiate in good faith on deficit reduction, putting cost-cutting measures on the table in exchange for very modest tax increases on the most wealthy.
These are the types of the issues that affect people’s lives and where principles intersect with reality. Despite his critic’s inexplicable outrage, President Obama seems to be a pragmatic politician who is gently nudging the country toward being a fairer and more just place for all of its citizens. And many of the issues he’s promoted are the modern day equivalents of what Jesus cared about in his day. Whether it’s standing up to bullies (the Hate Crimes Bill), defending “the least of these,” protecting creation, or being a peacemaker, President Obama continues to represent my values as a Christian.
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This article was reposted at The Religious Left, Patheos Faith Forward, The Elephant Journal, and Provoketive.
Tags: Affordable Healthcare, banking lobby, Christian in White House, compassionate conservative, Credit Card Reform, faith in politics, Franklin Graham, man of faith, Obama and Christianity, President Obama, religion and politics, Republicans, values as a Christian
Great job Jeff! You lucked out that day when you saw him in the sparsely populated church. And I agree (of course), the President embodies the true values as taught by Christ, more than any Republican politician ever has. I will post it. Thanks!
Rich
It was pretty cool… I probably should have run out to the parking lot to meet him. I appreciate you posting it!
I met Barack Obama many times while he was running for Senate from Illinois and once after he was elected in Washington, D.C. I believe him to be a man who cares deeply about his country and all of the people in America. He is truly a Christian man and he tries to live his faith. I am proud to have voted for him and I am solidly in his corner.
Great personal story Pat. Thanks for sharing it. I obviously don’t President Obama, but he strikes me (in character and policies) as one of the most principled politicians I’ve seen in a long time, maybe ever.
Let’s hear it for a real “compassionate conservative!! Thanks for a very thoughtful, insightful analysis of a very thoughtful, insightful president. Your article should be forwarded on the campaign headquarters. You’ve captured an often overlooked aspect of Obama’s character.
This gives my goosebumps.
Thank you!
AMEN, brother!
Are you all lost or is this just paid for propaganda?! Oh I guess I had better be careful now that Obama sin Laden has signed a bill to start the crumbling of our very first amendment- Free Speech!!!
Let me guess, this article was really meant as a joke, right?!!
Obviously, you’re extremely hostile about President Obama… Why? Specifically, what has he actually done that has offended you so much? And what bill are you referring to… ?
Ok I noticed nothing more from Brent. They’re always spewing about these “bills” Obama’s supposed to be passing. News: Rush doesn’t mind lying. You have to check out his statements.
Yes, many tend to fade when asked for links or sources to back up claims.
I believe when we have political leaders suggest that ‘corporations are people too …’ we need to examine what the underlying meaning is — suggesting that people must defend their selves much in the way ‘David’ (people) did when confronting ‘Goliath (corporations)’. Conservative now equate them selves as cheerleaders for capitol — it is quite apparent.
While political debate has morphed into clever PR campaigns of opponent destruction, rather than constructive debate, Obama has show to be the better person. Still too much outside influence, however, compared to the GOP — Obama follows the teaching of ‘do on to others as you may wish them on to you’ far closer than any GOP follower I have heard.
I came here because of your fine remarks on Buzzflash. I wasn’t able to comment there because I do not use facebook, but I wanted to let you know that by minimizing Jesus’
miracles and maximizing his message, you said something that I could heartily endorse as a former Christian. I do not agree with everything you say on THIS site, however, and while I appreciate Obama’s Christian values, I am so opposed to his lack of keeping most of his promises, and his apparent willingness to dispose of his “enemies” militarily, that I no longer see any depth to his Christian commitment. He is a conservative Republican in quasi-Democratic clothing, and does share with Willard Romney the belief that anything is justified to win an election. And that is reprehensible.
I am not a fiscal conservative, because fiscal conservatism has always proven to lead to more poverty and fiscal decline. I am not a fiscal liberal because it’s a meaningless term. I am a fiscal independent thinker because I learned long ago the soundbites do far more damage than good.
I see your Christian evaluation as the proper way to reach the truth. Long ago I said, thanks to the internet and computers I have more knowledge, more information, and access to more wisdom than entire libraries had a generation before. I have data and research most experts couldn’t touch. About 15 years ago a student in a master’s program in economics asked me why I do the research I do. He said they had people doing that for master’s degrees. I told him I just wanted to know.
What I have learned is, when it comes to making the decision on the right way to go, I learned all I need to know in Sunday School.
Feed the poor, care for the sick, house the homeless… etc. Do it because we were told to. Because we have been told it’s the right thing to do, and we know it’s true.
It’s interesting that even in this little petri dish of political opinion, you have people that strongly feel President Obama is too conservative and ruthless when it comes to politics. While not represented on this blog, others call him a socialist. And others seem to mindlessly hate him for whatever reason comes up in the news that day. The take-away: It’s not easy being Prez.
It is good to find a Christian who obviously desires to follow Jesus’ teaching.
Although I have never had the opportunity to meet the President in person I also believe that he demonstrates real Christian values much more so than do his adversaries.
Thank you for your insight.
Thanks David. I’m glad you found the site. I also appreciate you subscribing to the newsletter.
God love your heart! GREAT article!
Hey Daisy. Thanks for your encouragement and comments over at Provoketive. I like your site and message too. Stay in touch, Jeff