These "watch parties" are being organized by a small but growing movement of evangelical Christians who no longer want to be defined by gay marriage and abortion. Plumbing the Bible for God's priorities, they are talking instead about global warming and affordable housing, about fewer tax cuts for the rich and more food stamps for the poor.
"The typical image of evangelicals is that they're concerned with the sanctity of life, the traditional family and that's it -- they buy the whole Republican agenda when they vote," said Ron Sider, president of Evangelicals for Social Action, a think tank based in Wynnewood, Pa.
Citing Jesus' concern for those who are most vulnerable, evangelicals last month led a protest against a proposed federal budget that would cut deeply into food stamps, subsidized health insurance and student aid.
The Rev. Ted Haggard, president of the National Association of Evangelicals, has spoken out for clean-air and clean-water policies, arguing that God ordered man to be a good steward of creation. He hears pastors everywhere picking up the theme.
This is the heart of George Bush's base. Once he loses them he will be the lamest of lame ducks. It seems that the real gift that Bush has is the ability to turn any positive into a negative.
WWJIN? "Who would Jesus impeach now"?
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I would look forward to seeing Christians who really care about people becoming more involved. The "what would Jesus do" crowd is sorely needed.
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