Michele Bachmann's Theocratic Outreach
Religion scholar Warren Throckmorton recently reported that Waldron had compared Bachmann to Old Testament "King David," that Bachmann sees the world "through a Biblical World View Lens" and that he hopes that a "brigade will arise" presumably to to support Bachmann, so that she can "renew the Covenant made by our ancestors with Him in the 17th and 18th centuries." Throckmorton adds that "Waldron has some ties to the Christian Reconstruction movement, having co-authored a book with Reconstructionist George Grant. In the above comment, he seems to see America as a covenant nation with God much in the same way the Old Testament depicts the Jewish people as having a special covenant with God." Richard Bartholomew, however reports that Waldron holds explicitly Reconstructionist ideas. In any case, Grant's past relationship with Waldron (their book is titled: Rebuilding the Walls: A Biblical Strategy for Restoring America's Greatness) may help explain his endorsement. Grant was also one of 200 pastors Waldron assembled to hear Bachmann speak. Grant claims to have been impressed. It is nevertheless remarkable, given Grant's long record of theocratic ideas and rhetoric in his books and speeches (here for example) that the video was posted on the campaign web site. It is much less remarkable that someone at the Bachmann campaign had the good sense to take it down. But it was already too late:
It is additionally interesting that Grant, one of the founders of the theocratic Constitution Party (originally called the U.S. Taxpayers Party), and a longtime Tennessee state party leader, opted to endorse Bachmann. ( Incidentally, the Constitution Party national convention will be held in Nashville, TN next year.) His party has historically taken a dim view of the competition: The Democrats and Republicans have squandered the Founders' legacy of liberty and justice under the Constitution. Countless government officials in the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government ignore their oath to uphold and defend the Constitution. So it is a bit surprising that Grant would break with the CP to endorse a Republican. Of course, he is not alone in party straddling and switching on the farther reaches of the right in electoral politics. Ron Paul endorsed the CP ticket for president in 2008. Antiabortion militant Randall Terry switched from the GOP to the Constitution Party and back to the GOP before becoming a Democrat to run against Obama in 2012; perennial GOP presidential contender Alan Keyes switched to the Constitution Party in an unsuccessful run at the CP nomination for president in 2008; former U.S. Rep. Virgil Goode (VA) was a lifelong Democrat who switched to the GOP at the end of his career, before being defeated for reelection to a House seat by Democrat Tom Perriello. Goode switched to the Constitution Party and now serves on its executive committee. He is considering running for the CP nomination for president and was encouraged to do so in a unanimous vote of the CP National Committee. The Constitution Party has been waiting for a moment in the sun for two decades, -- and its very unclear if Virgil Goode can part the clouds if he is their candidate. But there are also always theocratic elements in the GOP that are in play in the primaries and threatening to stray in the general election. And the Bachmann candidacy provides one excellent illustration.
Michele Bachmann's Theocratic Outreach | 0 comments ( topical, 0 hidden)
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