Faith Playing Larger Role In 2008 Race!!!

The personal faith of candidates has become a very public part of the 2008 presidential campaign.

Seven years after George W. Bush won the presidency in part with a direct appeal to conservative religious voters - he cited Jesus Christ as his favorite philosopher during one debate - it seems all the leading presidential candidates are discussing their religious and moral beliefs, even when they'd rather not.

Democratic Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama have hired strategists to focus on reaching religious voters. Obama's campaign holds a weekly conference call with key supporters in early primary and caucus states whose role is to spread the candidate's message to religious leaders and opinionmakers and report their concerns to the campaign.Democrats in general are targeting moderate Roman Catholics, mainline Protestants and even evangelicals, hoping to enlist enough voters for whom religious and moral issues are a priority to put together a winning coalition.

Next week, Clinton, Obama and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards are scheduled to address liberal evangelicals at a forum on "faith, values and poverty."
Also, it seems Republicans are having a hard time with conservative religious votes.
Lets start with Democratic hopeful's views on sharing faith in the 2008 elections:

First Dem: Sen John Edwards




In March, Edwards told the multi-faith Web site Beliefnet.com that Jesus would be appalled at how the nation has ignored the plight of the suffering."I think the majority of Americans, the people who largely decide elections, what they are looking for - particularly in these times - is a really good and decent human being to be president," "If you are a person, a man or woman, of faith, that has an impact on how they view you as a human being, whatever your faith is."

Justice MH: I like how the way Edwards had a sense of inclusion of every Americans' faith. He's probably in the front spot for my vote and support.

Next Dem: Sen. Chris Dodd



Sen Chris Dodd is a Catholic, told an April forum at Boston College that Democrats have made "a huge mistake over the years" by not talking more openly about how their personal faith informs their public policy positions.

Justice MH: I don't fully agree with Sen.Dodd. However, Bush had success by openly expressing himself about God, and that Jesus is his favorite philosopher. So i say go for it!

Next Dem: Sen. Barack Obama


Last year, Obama chastised fellow Democrats for failing to "acknowledge the power of faith in the lives of the American people," and said the party must compete for the support of evangelicals and other churchgoers."Not every mention of God in public is a breach to the wall of separation. Context matters," he said.

Justice MH: I agree with Obama that not every mention of God in public breaches separation of church and state. If you have to mention faith mainly bible-loving christians, then so be it. Obama hasn't proven to me that he will support my causes at a point i want him to be. He has strong leadership unlike Bush, but i'm still skeptic about him. Okay i took a look at some of Democratic field, i know this isn't everyone, but the rest of Dems haven't voice their faith yet. The GOP is ironically having a hard discussing faith in public.So lets take a look at the GOP:

First GOP: Mitt Romney



Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has been questioned so much about his Mormon faith - 46 percent of those polled by Gallup in March had a negative opinion of the religion - that he has taken to emphasizing that he is running for a secular office.

Justice MH: Now you see, this is the problem i have with asking people about their faith and personal religious beliefs. In our U.S Constitution, it says NO religious tests or etc. If that not enough for Romney, he's also a flip-flipper, and a wannabe conservative. I'm far from being a Conservative. I don't support Romney's campaign, but he's going to have a struggle to get the GOP nomination.

Next GOP: Sen. Sam BrownBack


Sen. BrownBack is a former Methodist who converted to Catholicism in 2002, told a forum that faith "doesn't make all your decisions, but you can't segregate it out - it's part of the values basis you bring.

Justice MH: Now i have to say i agree with him, but Bush seems he doesn't get that.
Sen.Brownback has a struggle himself. He's behind in public poll by the likes of rudy, mccain, romney, and thompson. I don't have to think on this one, and that mean this GOP doesn't have my vote!

Next GOP: Rudy Giuliani



Rudy is a catholic, and supports abortion rights. He seems to not be comfortable in talking about his faith. Rudy's campaign spokesman said "The mayor's personal relationship with God is private and between him and God,"

Justice MH Final thoughts: I wonder what that means? It's like i said in beginning it shouldn't be anybody's business. Giuliani may be the only GOP who may get my vote, and that "may" is slim. One reason is because my family is Democratic, certainly NOT GOP. I may decide to be a independent voter. Who knows. The Democratic hopeful who looks pretty strong is John Edwards. On the GOP side to me is Rudy Giulani. But alot can happen between now and 2008. It seems that all these White house hopefuls are going through religious test, which why in the Constitution that is NOT suppose to happen. Our founding fathers didn't want someone's personal religious beliefs to win public offices. Now it seems this has led to alot religious a** kissing. Religion and Politics is a dangerous combination!