McCain: I’d Prefer Christian President
WASHINGTON (AP) - Sen. John McCain said in an interview published Saturday that he would prefer a Christian president over someone of a different faith, calling it “an important part of our qualifications to lead.”… In an interview with Beliefnet, a multi-denominational Web site that covers religion and spirituality, the Republican presidential hopeful was asked if a Muslim candidate could be a good president…. “I just have to say in all candor that since this nation was founded primarily on Christian principles … personally, I prefer someone who I know who has a solid grounding in my faith,” McCain said. “But that doesn’t mean that I’m sure that someone who is Muslim would not make a good president.”
OK, so I understand the point that John McCain was trying to make…and he’s certainly entitled to his opinion. Nonetheless, as man who’s running to be the President of ALL Americans, surely he must realize how voicing a sentiment such as this is going to come across. Being a Buddhist myself, I would take offense at McCain’s statement- if I actually gave a damn about anything McCain has to say. Yes, I respect his service and the sacrifice he made to serve his country during the Vietnam War; few have suffered more. Nonetheless, as a politician, John McCain has evolved from one of the more reasonable Republicans out there into someone willing to say or do just about anything if he thinks it will get him into the White House.
This is not the first time that McCain has appeared to pander to the Religious Right, nor will it be the last. After all, McCain is the same candidate who in 2000 lashed out at Rev. Pat Robertson and the late Rev. Jerry Falwell as divisive forces, only to embrace them a few years later when he determined that his any chance of being elected President required that he court the Religious Right. Whatever it takes, man…whatever it takes.
Somewhere, the “Straight Talk Express” went over the cliff….
