Marcus on Evangelistic Democrats

Ruth Marcus: The New Temptation Of Democrats

Absolutely worst conclusion ever ...

The risk is that, in the process of maneuvering, Democrats' reframing and rebranding could edge into retreating on core principles. It was unsettling to hear Dean -- in the process of cozying up to evangelicals -- mangle the party platform, saying, incorrectly, that it states that "marriage is between a man and a woman." In fact, while deliberately silent on marriage, the platform supports "full inclusion of gay and lesbian families . . . and equal responsibilities, benefits, and protections."

Likewise, it's fine for Hillary Clinton to talk about the "tragedy" of abortion, or for Democrats to emphasize the importance of reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies. But I get awfully nervous when Redeem the Vote's Brinson says of abortion, "As long as the national Democratic Party makes that a centerpiece of their platform or something they're advocating, as long as that's front and center and they're saying women have a right to do this, it's going to turn off religious voters."

So, by all means, let Democrats woo evangelicals and cast the message in a way that speaks to religious voters. But in doing so, keep in mind: What does it profit a party to gain a demographic but lose its soul?

Talk about having things backwards! I'm sure Ruth Marcus has an enormous problem with Martin Luther King, whose faith drove his belief in social justice. Or with Father Robert Drinan, whose faith drove his opposition to the Vietnam War. Or with Reinhold Niebuhr, whose faith pretty much defined Cold War liberalism. Or, more currently, with Amb. Tony Hall, whose faith fuels his committment to combat world hunger. What a bunch of sellouts, right?

The problem with Marcus' view, of course, only starts with the opening for yours truly. Yes, Nancy Pelosi attended the opening of Lakewood. Had Marcus bothered to note any other attribute of Lakewood Church or Joel Osteen, she might note that his ministry is decidedly apolitical. It's not like Pelosi stepped into the lion's den at Ed Young's Second Baptist. Furthermore, politicians have been visiting churches for eons. But when a Dem candidate sets foot in a black church, there's rarely a concern emoted by the Ruth Marcuses of the world. Show up anywhere else? Well, that's just not right. For the record, though, it should be noted that Lakewood is rather evenly represented in terms of ethnicity and economic status.

Then there's this:

Democrats have a shot at luring some of them, but it's a long shot, and one that poses dangerous temptations for the party as it tries to narrow the God gap.

Dangerous temptations, eh? Hmmm ... ya know what's missing from this column? An example of a single dangerous temptation. Marcus rightly points to the laughable efforts of Howard Dean to sell evangelicals on the merits of the Democratic Party. With all due respect to Dr. Dean, I can think of about a hundred better representatives to send onto the set of The 700 Club. But there's a difference between silliness and "selling your soul". That Dean got his facts wrong should come as no suprise to anyone that remembers his run for the White House lo these many years ago. If there's a miracle to be had, maybe it's that he just didn't scream at the end of his speech.

But back to those temptations. Maybe somewhere along the way, there'll be a temptation to do more than mutter meaningless words about ending the genocide in Darfur. Maybe at some point, there'll be a meaningful commitment to ending poverty around the globe. Maybe the words of Matthew 25:40 will be taken to heart. Who knows. But when any of that comes to pass, will the Ruth Marcuses of the world bemoan how we've all "sold our souls?"

I certainly hope so.