Obama, Religion and the 2008 Election

Most presidential races have their sideshows, this year we are seeing a race to the bottom by religious advisors. By my count, McCain and Obama are tied for embarrassing religious sidekicks at two each; though, Obama gets extra points in the boisterous and colorful categories. Wackiness is dead even.

Goofy religious involvement in politics used to be the province of the Republicans, ala Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell and the like.

I don’t really count the Revs. Jackson and Sharpton as members of the wacky religious movement. Wacky yes; but, the religious aspect of their agendas’ has always been less than window dressing for their political aims. That is coupled with the fact that other Democrats have always held them at arms length.

I’m betting that both McCain and Obama miss the relative decorum of Robertson, Falwell, Jackson and Sharpton, all of whom had honed their public personas and were predictable.

The new guys are second tier (or new wave?) political whores, latching on to politicians not as true believers, rather, as seeking recognition for themselves. Given their goal, they aren’t controllable by the candidates. They also aren’t as smooth as their predecessors. Goofiness aside, Robertson, Falwell, Jackson and Sharpton could always clean up their act for general consumption (well maybe not Sharpton). These new guys haven’t mastered the chameleon qualities necessary for the national stage, especially Obama's two guys from Chicago.

Though I can’t think of a segue, and with apologies to Simon and Garfunkel, and you my readers, here’s a song for Sen. Obama:

And here's to you, Barry O
Jesus loves you more than you will know (Wo, wo, wo)
God bless you please, Barry O
Heaven holds a place for those who pray (Hey, hey, hey...hey, hey, hey)

We'd like to know a little bit about you for our files
We'd like to help you learn to help yourself
Look around you, all you see are sympathetic eyes
Stroll around the grounds until you feel at home

And here's to you, Barry O
Jesus loves you more than you will know (Wo, wo, wo)
God bless you please, Barry O
Heaven holds a place for those who pray (Hey, hey, hey...hey, hey, hey)

Hide it in a hiding place where no one ever goes
Put it in your pantry with your cupcakes
It's a little secret, just the Obamas' affair
Most of all, you've got to hide it from the kids

Coo, coo, ca-choo, Barry O
Jesus loves you more than you will know (Wo, wo, wo)
God bless you please, Barry O
Heaven holds a place for those who pray (Hey, hey, hey...hey, hey, hey)

Sitting on a sofa on a Sunday afternoon
Going to the candidates debate
Laugh about it, shout about it
When you've got to choose
Ev'ry way you look at it, you lose

Where have you gone, MLK
A nation turns its lonely eyes to you (Woo, woo, woo)
What's that you say, Barry O
MLK has left and gone away (Hey, hey, hey...hey, hey, hey)