PASTOR or PRESIDENT

An American citizen would have to be living under a rock - a very large rock - should he or she be unaware of the upcoming presidential election in November, 2012. Though this blogger has lost count, it would seem the debates among the Republican challengers for the White House now number in double digits with more to come.

I have always somewhat enjoyed talking up politics. The first president for whom this writer ever had the privilege of voting was President Ronald Reagan in 1984. Reagan, of course, won by a landslide that year over his challenger, Democrat and former vice-president Walter Mondale. Politics do not consume me, but I enjoy a friendly argument every now and then.

What I don't enjoy or understand is the unwillingness to vote of many on both sides of the political aisle. The right to vote is a privilege for which many Americans sacrificed their life, yet many in this dark hour feel it their "patriotic" duty NOT to vote should their candidate of choice not receive the nomination, particularly in the upcoming Republican presidential primaries.

President Obama is heretofore unchallenged by others in the Democrat Party in his bid for re-election. It would be highly unusual indeed for one to step forward and challenge a sitting president within his own party though that did occur in 1980 when Senator Edward Kennedy ran unsuccessfully against President Jimmy Carter.

However, the Republican field has no less than seven candidates all vying for the coveted seat in the Oval Office. At the time of this writing former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is leading the field by a comfortable margin. In politics things change rapidly, often overnight; thus it remains to be seen if Newt's popularity remains consistent with voters.

Despite a plethora of Republican candidates the vote of this writer remains unclaimed though vote he will should the Lord tarry His coming and life continues. Yet some, as previously stated, refuse to exercise their right to vote if certain conditions are not met.

For example, a recent post on FACEBOOK by a good, Christian gentleman reads as follows:

"[U]ntil one chooses anti-abortion, pro-Israel and pro-America, I'm not voting for any of them [Republican candidates]. They all stink. It might be the first time in my adult life I don't vote. I'm sick and tired of being forced to choose the lesser of two evils. I want a godly conservative Christian candidate and he will be the only one I vote for."

Now, this blogger agrees with the writer above in that I am 100% against abortion and 100% for America and Israel. I, too, am not satisfied with the Republican field and detest "being forced to choose the lesser of two evils" as well. I, too, would love to vote for a godly, conservative, Christian candidate should one rise to the occasion.

But let's face it folks. Though I would relish the occasion, I have never in almost 30 years of voting ever had the opportunity to cast my vote for a Baptist, Fundamentalist, King James Only, Bible-thumping, sin-fighting, Devil-hating, Holy Spirit-filled, separated, soul-winning, hell-fire-and-brimstone preaching, shouting, anointed candidate for president and I doubt very seriously that I ever will. But you can rest assured that this writer shall vote for the candidate that best represents his Christian views thereby refusing to allow the current White House occupant to win his vote by default!

Get informed, get active and vote when the day arrives. Your vote could be pivotal - exercise your right to vote with caution, yes, but exercise it you must! Don't sit on the sidelines. Be counted. God bless, and thanks for reading. David.