Where do we stand?

I am 12 hours from having the first week of school "under my belt." The first day came off with a few bumps and bruises - but the rest of the week has shaped up nicely.

If you're not feeling political, this may not be the blog for you. I don't know that I am - but it is swirling around me and because I'm digesting it all myself, blogging about it seems fit. Or maybe I just want to have my say. Not sure.

I thought the conventions were interesting. I am, by nature and belief, a Republican - and that hasn't changed. I did catch Obama's closing speech and a bit of Biden. I am unimpressed with Obama on many levels. First, he's a democrat and we hold different things close to our heart. The second - I think Hillary said it best. "What are the specifics of his campaign?" Amen.

The RNC. I did watch this. I began voting 22 years ago (oye) and have been and always will be aligned with the Republican party. My first ballot was cast to non-other than Ronald Reagan. I still hold the Reagan's in high-regard. When President Reagan passed away, I felt it and wept with a portion of America.

I tried to be a democrat in my early 20s. It's just not who I am. Back then, I thought I just wasn't hip enough to live in that world. Oh, I tried. But it wasn't pretty.

Today, I know it's more than not being hip-enough. I am pro-life. Not a very popular thing to say in our world today. I don't wear it as a judgment - but it's very much a heart issue for me.

I am a huge fan of Barbara Bush. Wife of George, mom of George W., how can one not love her? Her first major platform as First Lady (and second lady) was literacy - "the most important issue we have." She's been outspoken. Even on things like abortion, stating during her husband's 1992 campaign - "that the Republican Party should not take a stand on it. Personal things should be left out of, in my opinion, platforms and conventions." Her personal views on abortion were not known, although her friends reported at that time that she "privately supported abortion rights" (ref. Wikipedia).

Interesting, yes?

Early on in the primaries, I read an article in Time magazine on the father's of the candidates. Mitt Romney spoke about his father - George Romney, who ran his own attempt at the Republican Presidential nomination in 1968. He was the Governor of Michican at the time - and part of the party's liberal wing. Those of today, especially those in the evangelical camp, know that Mitt is a Mormon. And so was his Daddy. Interestingly, 40 years ago, the 'religious' beliefs of a candidate never entered the political platform. I'd venture to guess that it's become a public issue in the past 15 years, but I could be wrong (and I don't feel like researching).

The "evangelical right" makes up 1/4 of the population's Presidential vote. John McCain, for anyone interested, is an Episcopalian. He attends a Baptist church in Phoenix (when he's there) with his wife. He is also firmly pro-life. I thought the following quote was interesting, based on his choice of VP-elect (Palin), whose Christianity is definitely being raised on the platform, I found the following quote:

"I believe that the Mormon religion is a religion that I don't share, but I respect. More importantly, I've known so many people of the Mormon faith who have been so magnificent. I think that Governor Romney's religion should not, absolutely not, be a disqualifying factor when people consider his candidacy for President of the United States, absolutely not." (interview with Dan Gilgoff).

Still intersting, yes?

I don't know that I believe "religion" should be a defining factor of why we vote or choose a certain president. It's definitely welcome if our candidate happens to be a Christian. The democratic party has (at least in my lifetime), always been pro-choice. And I am not. I can never vote that way - even if I supported the candidate. McCain is quiet about his faith. McCain was POW Chaplain - and enjoyed the experience (in context with being a tortured prisoner of war). He is quoted with the following:

"So, it's a very important part of my life. But, I cannot tell you that I've ever had a revelation from God--it's been kind of plotting. I pray, I receive comfort, I think I receive guidance, I know I receive guidance and I pray and it's, you know, it's not a spectacular kind of thing. It's something that I think is very lasting." (interview with Dan Gilgoff)

And in another piece in The Hill,

"Senator Thad Cochran, who has known McCain for decades and has battled him over earmarksm has expressed concern about a McCain presidency: "He is erratic. He is hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me." Ultimately Cochran decided to support McCain for president, after it was clear he would win the nomination."

Do I feel better knowing that the man heading our country is a man of prayer? I do. Does it matter to me that he's a hothead? Maybe. At the core, I am a fan of President Bush (jr. more than sr.), and I do believe he's a man of faith. Maybe more in line with mine than than the nominee coming behind him. And I'm okay with that.

Palin. Oh, the hoopla over Palin. She does make our ticket more attractive. And as a marketing move, it was smart. As a woman, I think its amazing to see her running for office. I do. And she is walking in a brand-new pair of pumps, that's for sure. I cringed during many moments of her speech. Maybe it was just the Alaskan in her and I've been in Washington too long. Sarah, if I weren't a Republican, you'd have lost me with the hockey mom/pitbull reference. Maybe it's just me.

Does it comfort me that she's being touted as an evangelical Christian? Maybe. She's too new and too uknown. John McCain has been thoroughly vetted over the past 8 years. Sarah, is still being vetted, I think. I am holding my final opinion until I see it all. She's under investigation in the state of Alaska for potential felony - the firing of the Commisioner of Public Safety. Allegdly, for refusing to fire her former brother-in-law (AK state trooper). Hopefully, the investigation rolls in her favor.

There are other murmurs of more 'scandal' - but hopefully they are untrue.

Once upon a time, I would have jumped on the wagon as soon as I heard that she was a Chrisitian. I guess I don't look through those lenses any longer. I need to know more about her. Her character. Who she is. What she believes. And her integrity. I hope to hear more about that in the upcoming debates - and I am praying for her. Those will be intense and tense days. And for the record, I really do want to get behind her. It's too soon. But as soon as I'm her die hard fan, you'll be the first to know. I really do want to like her as much as the rest of my circle does. I'm just not there yet. She's still making herself known to me.

Obama himself says he's a Christian. That doesn't mean a lot in today's world. There are people in low and high places, pastors and people alike, who wear the tag of Christianity, but behind the door, it means zero. ZERO.

Final words. I'm glad the Republican ticket is still pro-life. Hopefully anyone who has been concerned with my political stance, now rests easy. I am thankful for George W, who in 2003, put a ban on partial birth abortions, which is truly the most horrific of atrocities in the world of atrocities (b/c abortion itself is just that. an atrocity). If Obama comes into office, mark my words, that will be the first thing to go. The definition of "viable birth" will come back into debate and while some believe we will be free with a woman's right to choose, I think we will just be a nation who devalues life.

Vote smart. Do your research. Don't speak so loud that you can't be heard. Submit your opinions in a way people can hear them. And pray for our people - presidential nominees included.