Presidential Election 2008 - Who Can Lead America

Like many of you, over the summer and into the fall, I've been watching, listening, and scrutinizing the presidential candidates, and contemplating about whom I believe could lead this country as our next president.

I have long hoped for the ideal candidate, who is both a religious conservative, and a competent leader to run our country as president. Yet at election time when it comes to casting my vote, if I can't find both characteristics in a candidate, I try to choose a competent leader, over the religious conservative.

I take the same approach when it comes to choosing physicians, dentists, financial advisers, technicians and mechanics. I want competency first, and if the person is also has conservative values, for me that's an immeasurable bonus.

There is one candidate who has been viritually unknown, whom I believe has demonstrated great leadership --Mike Huckabee. , not because he is "perfect," nor just because he is a a religious conservative, but because I believe him to be a competent leader.

After examining his experience and track record, I have concluded that Mike Huckabee is not only a committed follower of Christ, but also a man of vision, character, compassion, and integrity. He is a compassionate conservative. Though solid in his faith and standing for traditional family values, he's not an uncaring extremist. He lives what he believes, and respects others' beliefs even when they disagree with him.

As "New Man" men's magazine said (July/August 2007), "His proven ability to cast a compelling vision, as he did while governor, that transcends party, ideology and class might enable America to unite and begin to heal, an especially important goal at this point in our history." TIME magazine named Mike Huckabee one of the five best governors in America. He's definitely presidential material.

But what I find most appealing about Mike Huckabee is his humor and humility. Those are key indicators of a spiritually and emotionally healthy leader - someone who is comfortable with himself, authentic, doesn't wear a mask, and is secure enough to be humble. Another one of his greatest assets is that he alone, among all other Republican, Independent, and Democrat candidates "speaks American."

Mike Huckabee hasn't lived an isolated, out-of-touch life like so many politicians. He was raised in Hope, Arkansas, with a dad who was a firefighter and always had a second job. Mike and his sister grew up as ordinary middle class Americans, not privileged elite. He was the first person in his family to graduate from high school. And he worked two jobs in college and graduated in two-and-a-half years. He connects to people through stories and metaphors and a geniality that can't be faked. I think people want that in a leader.

Governor Huckabee demonstrates a unique depth of understanding about the needs of our country. In view of his list of accomplishments, (see attached) I believe he has the ability to lead us in meeting those needs. More than anything he has done or can do, however, it is first who Mike Huckabee is that impresses me most.

A long-time friend of Mike's, Rick Scarborough, and a Minister from Pearland, Texas, who heads Vision America, said of him, "Mike is a committed husband and father. He has always prioritized his family before politics. His wife, two sons and daughter speak his highest praise."

These are indeed perilous times we are living in, and who knows, but that God may be sending us a man "for such a time as this." Who better to lead a nation nearing moral collapse and perhaps World War III than a president who is also a pastor with 10 years of senior executive experience as a governor?

Interestingly, he is mounting a campaign for all Americans- - Republicans, Independents and Democrats alike. When I first heard about Huckabee's campaign for president, he was a relatively unknown candidate, running 7th and 8th place in the polls. But a recent Rasmussen poll (Nov 8 http://www.Rasmussenreports.com) reports that he pulled within three points of frontrunner, Hillary Clinton, who drew 46% of the vote, while Huckabee drew 43%. I noticed just this week, that many in the secular press are now reporting that Huckabee is a legitimate first-tier candidate whose star is rising while others are fading. Millions of voters are gravitating to him.

Mike Huckabee may not be the "perfect" candidate, but I believe that in him we have a levelheaded, stouthearted candidate who will listen to wise counsel. After careful consideration, I have concluded that Governor Mike Huckabee is our best hope, a proven leader who can take our country in the direction we need to go.

We are entering the season of primary elections where little is much in terms of turnout, and I if we as Christians are going to send a godly man like Mike Huckabee to the White House, it's time for us to rally behind him, support him financially, pray for him, and spread the word of his character, platform and experience. I want to do all I can to support him because I so strongly believe that he is the man for this hour.

Game (FR)

America is Faced With a Difficult Decision About the Afghanistan War

Image : http://www.flickr.com

Pre-boomers have been blessed. While many of us served in the military, few were ever involved in a shooting war except those old enough to be part of the Korean "policing action." However, our generation (born between 1930 and 1945) grew up with the belief that it was our duty to serve if called. We considered it the patriotic thing to do.

Younger generations don't understand the notion of a popular war - one where the populace believed we needed to win no matter what. Unfortunately, the United States has not experienced true victory since WWII. That was nearly 65 years ago.

Public opinion has changed since the Vietnam disaster. The shame of this war was taken out on the returning troops and led to the discontinuance of the draft and an all-volunteer military, even though the Army had become the only branch using the draft to fill its requirements. This tended to separate the military from the general population and distanced most Americans from the honor of this service. It also shielded us from the unfathomable sadness experienced by families who lost loved ones as a result of the US engaging in military activities.

Over the years, war has become more and more politicized. Many of those voting "yea" in congress almost immediately started back-peddling in order to placate their anti-war constituents. And, of course, the "nay" voters continued to protest military action. These combined to affect news reporting and ultimately influenced public opinion. It happened in the first Gulf War and the divide became greater in the recent Iraqi War.

However, many of those opposing our involvement in Iraq complained we should have first finished the job in Afghanistan, because that's where Al Qaeda was headquartered and they were the ones behind the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center buildings. Now we are at the point where the general in charge of our troops in Afghanistan is calling for 30 to 40 thousand more soldiers in order to fight a successful counter-insurgency war.

This buildup will take money and cost lives, neither of which are popular options with Americans. Yet, we know Afghanistan is a haven for those who would destroy us and our way of life. If we withdraw it is likely these fanatics will over run Afghanistan, establish themselves as the new government, and affect our relations with Pakistan, a country with nuclear weapons. So the choice is not an easy one.

Whatever you believe is the appropriate approach for us to take in this God-forsaken part of the world, we must consider what the commanders on the ground are advising us to do and always support our troops who put their lives on the line in order to protect us from further terrorist attacks. Ultimately the final determination is in the hands of the Commander-in-Chief; all we can do is pray that the president makes a decision that, in the long run, is best for America.

Review Feature Office 2010