The October 23 Denver Daily News published a story about Sarah Palin’s views on God and the election. I found a rough transcript of her interview with James Dobson, on which the news story was based.
Dobson said he and others have been praying for “God’s intervention”; that “God’s perfect will will be done in November the fourth.” I.e., they think God has the ability to sway the election in favor of McCain-Palin, and they are asking God to do so. (The mechanism by which God would supposedly do this is unclear; apparently he would “touch people’s hearts” or some such — possess them — in the voting booths.)
Palin replied:
Well, it is that intercession that is so needed and so greatly appreciated. And I can feel it too, Dr. Dobson. I can feel the power or prayer and that strength is provided through our prayer warriors across this nation and I so appreciate it. [Dobson says, ” Well, you hear that everywhere you do, don’t you?] I do, and that is what allows us to continue to be inspired and strengthened. And it’s just a great reminder also when we hear along the rope lines that people are interceding for us and praying for us; it’s our reminder to do the same, to put this all in God’s hands, to seek his perfect will for this nation and to, of course, seek his wisdom and guidance in putting this nation back on the right track.
If McCain is elected, Palin will be a heartbeat away from the most powerful political office in the world. If she becomes president, she will think that God placed her in that position and that her duty is to impose God’s “perfect will” on the nation.
Meanwhile, as Myrhaf reviews, Rush Limbaugh has called on those who reject faith-based politics to leave the Republican Party. Read the transcript.
There can be no doubt — because leading Republicans have gone out of their way to remind us — that the Republican Party is the party of the religious right. Palin’s comments have prompted me to again think seriously about voting for Obama (rather than nobody).
If Palin does become president, several things might mitigate her damage. She would (probably) face a Democratic Congress, which would (probably) block the worst possible Supreme Court nominees. She is inept, so she might flub the job so badly that she’d be enormously unpopular. And, regardless of her performance, the American people might revolt against her overt and overriding faith-based politics. I don’t think I need to outline the worst-case scenario.