KEEPINGBrothers Primary Endorsements

Most people have no idea who to vote for as they work down the ballot. So I thought I'd list my endorsements for Tuesday's Democratic Ballot. Just to be transparent, I read about many of these candidates in The Independent and got a lot of my talking points from there after double checking on other websites.

President:
BARACK OBAMA - I've written extensively about my support for Obama. While I believe Clinton would be an admirable candidate. She's smart, tough and capable of leading and tackling the range of difficult issues facing our nation. However, her vote to authorize the war in Iraq coupled with Obama's ability to rise above politics and unite America made my decision to support Obama easy. I like Obama not only because my alignment with him on his policy ideas – repealing Bush’s tax cuts for wealthy, closing corporate loop holes, addressing our environment, making health care affordable and available for all Americans, repealing no child left behind (Bush's counterproductive education plan), and renegotiating NAFTA to protect the environment, American workers and acknowledge we are in a global economy. However, I also like Obama (specifically over Clinton) because of his proven judgment (he was right on Iraq when so many were wrong), political courage and hopeful vision for America. He has an unmatched ability to motivate and mobilize millions of Americans eager for change. I really believe that he transcends politics more than any candidate in recent history. He is challenging us to lift ourselves out of the ugliness that consumes Washington, where the heart of the argument and common good matters more than the political points scored. His recent stance on the gas tax is a great example of this political courage. He is running on what is best to put America on a new path.

US Senate:
JIM NEAL - Neal is the underdog candidate against Kay Hagan for the nomination to challenge Elizabeth Dole. Let's put it on the table - Neal is openly gay. Unfortunately, that may hurt his chances in NC. But lets be honest, on the issues Neal is the clear progressive choice. Neal opposed the US Invasion of Iraq, supports universal health care, is against capital punishment, wants to scrap No Child Left Behind (Bush's counterproductive education system), end Bush's irresponsible tax cuts for the wealthy, advocates conservation in his energy plan in addition to alternative-source energy. I have to admit the more moderate Kay Hagan stands a better chance at defeating Dole, but the country would sure benefit from Neal if NC could every tilt more progressive.

US Congressional District:
Raleigh-District 13: BRAD MILLER - One of the rising stars in NC (actually he's been around a while). I was real sorry to see he didn't run for Senate. I think we may see him challenge Richard Burr in 2010. He has an opponent but should have no problems winning.

Charlotte-District 9: Harry Taylor - I had to dig into the candidate websites to make a call here. Taylor is running against Ross Overby. On the issues, Taylor is much more dedicated to ending the war in Iraq, and advocates that we are all accountable for each other. A worldview I advocate. Plus Harry Taylor has the endorsement of the Labor Council, State NOW endorsement, and Progressive Democrats of America, a national organization.

Governor:
BEV PERDUE - This was a hard decision. I have been completely turned off by the negative campaign both candidates have been running. Both are rich, middle-of-the-road Democrats, who are entrenched in the political system. My decision broke for Perdue because of her work on the state's Health and Wellness Trust Fund, work to keep NC Military Bases from closing, reputation as a hard worker and endorsement by the state teachers' association.

Lieutenant Governor:
DAN BESSE- There are two progressives running for Lt. Governor, Dan Besse and Hampton Dellinger. Either choice would be good for NC, but Besse's work on Environmental Issues was the deciding factor. I believe Dellinger, the "good-looking candidate" is better equiped to influence policy, and would eventually make a better Governor. However, as Lt. Governor he would have little influence, so I'm going with Besse's long history of fighting for education, health care, mass transit and especially the environment.

Auditor:
BETH WOOD - Wood is a Certified Public Accountant whose career in state government makes her more qualified than her opponent Fred Aikens.

Insurance Commissioner:
WAYNE GOODWIN - This is the man who will be passing regulation down on my industry. Our retiring commissioner J. Long has groomed Goodwin to take over and I like Goodwin's promise to be a consumer advocate who will defend the agency's authority to se rates for auto insurance. Insurers have a right to profit, but since auto insurance is mandatory for drivers, such profits are properly subject to regulation.

Commissioner of Labor:
MARY FANT DONNAN - I'd miss seeing Cherie Berry's name on all the elevators in NC, but Donnan has the endorsment of the AFL-CIO and brings a strong record of public service. She served 7 years as an aide and director of policy research under former Labor Commissioner Harry Payne. I believe this makes her qualified. This is a very important position. We want to make our workplaces safe across NC manufacturing facilities and construction job sites.

Superintendent of Education:
EDDIE DAVIS - Long time Durham teacher with 30-plus year commitment to serving disadvantaged and minority students, and 8 years on the State Board of Education. This position has very limited power.

Treasure:
JANET COWELL - Review of her record indicates NC State Senator Cowell has the integrity and financial know-how needed to make prudent investments with the $78 billion of retirement funds on behalf of Gov't workers and teachers. Cowell, holds an MBA, speaks Chinese, and was a member of the Sierra Clib and progressive in over-hauling the city's waste management programs to improve recycling. She's a leader on environmental issues pushing for legislation while in the Senate requiring gov't buildings to be energy efficent.

NC Court of Appeals:
JAMES A. (Jim) Wynn
KRISTIN RUTH (Definitely not John Tyson)

Obama Rally

Thanks to my good friend, and strong conservative, David Crotts, I attended an Obama rally Monday night in Chapel Hill, NC. I was able to make my way to floor level and was standing 3 rows back from the stage. It was awesome and I even got to shake hands with Obama after he spoke. Obama's speech included the normal talking points about making health insurance affordable for all, ending the war in Iraq, changing Washington and raising above politics. However, I thought the best point he made was his response to McCain's proposal for a Gas Tax holiday over the summer. Obama pointed out that the tax holiday would save Americans an average of $25-$30 over the 3 month summer "tax holiday", enough for 1/2 a tank of gas. At the same time no explanation to replace the highway trust fund to rebuild roads and bridges, where American's will sit longer in construction zone traffic wasting more gas. That's McCain's big solution. Obama pointed out that we need more leadership and ideas than that. McCain's solution is more quick fix solutions that sound good but will make no real difference. I love Obama for having the political courage to stand against this, unlike Clinton.

Unfortunately I forgot both my carmera and phone during the rally. But I gave the person standing next to me my email, so hopefully I'll receive some photos to post.

UPDATE: Some comments by economists supporting Obama's position:

This Reuters article cites Bush's former chariman of the Council of Economics advisors, economics professors, think tank wonks and Paul Krugman, all agreeing that the Gas Tax proposal sucks eggs. When you have Krugman and former Bush officials agreeing on something, it must truly be bad.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A gas tax holiday proposed by U.S. presidential hopefuls John McCain and Hillary Clinton is viewed as a bad idea by many economists and has drawn unexpected support for Clinton rival Barack Obama, who also is opposed.

"Score one for Obama," wrote Greg Mankiw, a former chairman of President George W. Bush's Council of Economic Advisers. "In light of the side effects associated with driving ... gasoline taxes should be higher than they are, not lower."

Economists said that since refineries cannot increase their supply of gasoline in the space of a few summer months, lower prices will just boost demand and the benefits will flow to oil companies, not consumers. "You are just going to push up the price of gas by almost the size of the tax cut," said Eric Toder, a senior fellow at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center in Washington.

Small Government or Big Government

Clearly the answer to this endless left-right debate is neither small or big government, but rather effective, smart and good government. I have many debates with my friends about the same question that our founding fathers debated at our nation's creation. The disagreement between conservatives and progressives, as well as the Religious Right and Progressive Evangelicals like myself, is not whether the poor, the outcast and the oppressed need our assistance, rather the argument is what role the government should play in lifting people out of these conditions.

As a Progressive Evangelical, I believe that all three sectors of a society: the private sector (market, corporations), the public sector (government) and civil society (charitable organizations, faith communities), need to be functioning together for a healthy society that protects and ensures the well-being of all segments of our society. Jim Wallis describes this relationship in his book The Great Awakening as a three-legged stool, with each sector playing a crucial and equal role in ensuring the balance of our society. If one sector gets too powerful and the others too weak the stool losses its balance and society is in danger of falling over. No doubt all three sectors of our society deserve criticism for how they respond to the well-being of our society, including a personal reflection on my own choices and actions. However, this post will address what we, as a faith community, should demand of our government. Because, all to often, in the face of inadequate or wasteful government, we make the mistake of calling for the end of government involvement instead of calling for more efficient government.

With the marriage of the Religious Right and the Conservative Republican Party, Christians have accepted a weak government role in society at the expense of much needed practical assistance that only the public sector can provide. As Christians, we must not demand that our faith control governmental policies, but we must act as a conscience and hold our government accountable for upholding justice, ensuring equality and protecting all God's children (including those at home and abroad) and our environment.

A great example of this was the response to Hurricane Katrina. Many people of faith, saw the government's response as a moral failing. Some chose to see this incompetent response as another example of why government should be less involved in societal issues and retreat to a more limited role. However, what we saw in New Orleans is how religious communities exploded onto the scene to give much needed basic assistance to the people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. These communities were able to show more compassion and greater effectiveness than many governmental agencies, which were exposed for incompetence. However, while faith communities and charitable agencies can bring relief, they can't rebuilt levees, nor can they ensure adequate property insurance coverage for those living in high risk areas. The partnership of the government is also required to ensure fair, affordable housing.

All the budgets of charitable organizations and faith communities put together are not enough to provide the necessary poverty relief at home, not to mention abroad. Churches can not provide health care for 47 million Americans who can't afford it, nor can they ensure enough affordable housing to working families, or provide social security for the elderly or a social safety net for children, disabled or handicapped. Nor can faith communities ensure that all people regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, gender, etc. have an equal standing in the public and private sector. Faith communities and the private sector can mobilize resources including food, clothing and medicine for third world communities experiencing extreme poverty, but government is required to negotiate with impoverished countries so that the logistics of transportation and delivery of aid, including the building of ports and protection, can be assured. Faith communities can partner on these issues, but can not accomplish with out government involvement, both logistically, structurally and financially. Furthermore, in a free market society only the private sector and labor movements assure adequate and fair employment, but the government is required to establish the necessary regulation, like guaranteed minimum wage, product safety, work place standards, and emission and disposal regulation, that ensures the health and equality of workers, consumers AND our environment over the bottom line profits that drive the private sector.

The life and work of faith communities are not meant to replace the role of government, but they are to offer an example of compassion and justice and demand the same of our government policies. I am in the process of reading The Great Awakening by Jim Wallis and Red Letter Christians by Tony Campolo (at the recommendations of Steve Cook). Both books provide a guide to faith and politics and illustrate what response faith communities should consider when responding to the serious issues facing us as a nation, including poverty, the environment, widening economic gap, social justice and equality, immigration, crime and war (specifically the War in Iraq). I look forward to diving into these issues and posting my comments as we approach the election in November.

Delegate Update

Pennsylvania Analysis: After over a month of campaigning and millions of dollars spent, Obama was able to cut a 25pt Clinton lead in one of the most Pro-Clinton states, at least demographically, down to a 9.2 % pt lead, which despite the reports by MSNBC and CNN, is under the so called double digit threshold. The Pennsylvania pledged delegate count is 82-73, with three remaining to be allocated. That is a 9 delegate advantage for Clinton. Furthermore, Obama announced he picked up the endorsement of two superdelegates (A. Ostergard from NE and OK Gov. Brad Henry) and Clinton announced one (TN Rep. John Tanner).

Obama leads by 157 in the pledged delegate count: 1,490-1,333
Clinton holds a 263-239 superdelegate lead.
Obama leads by 133 overall: 1,729-1,596.
Obama's popular vote: 14,447,556
Clinton's popular vote: 13,965,192
Obama + 482,364

The math is still on Obama's side and it's hard to image a scenario where Clinton takes either the Popular vote lead or the pledged delegate lead after all primaries have been concluded. The uncommitted superdelegates will be faced with a decision where voting for Clinton is to overrule the electorate in terms of popular vote, pledged delegates and states won. The only curve ball in all of this is the Michigan-Florida situation.

So where do things go from here. It's no surprise that the nomination will remain close. Recent polls from NC show Obama with a comfortable 10 pt lead. Clinton's recent good press and intake of money, should prevent Obama from expanding this lead in NC much over the 10-12 pt margin, and may allow her to cut into his lead by a few pts. Indiana is proving to be a close race with neither candidate expected to win by more than a 5pt margin. Recent polls have Obama up 5 pts, but we will see how Clinton's win in PA effects those numbers. Moving forward from there, Clinton will score some press with wins out of West Virginia and Kentucky, but Obama should finish strong with wins out of Oregon, South Dakota and Montana.

The truth is barring a scandal of huge proportions you could go to sleep tonight and wake up June 3 with little changed. Obama will still be up by 125 or so pledged delegates and 500,000 or so popular votes. I predict after June 3 you will see superdelegates convene and finalize the nomination. With Clinton needing to win about 75% of the remaining supers, I don't see a way for her to capture the nomination. The question will be whether Clinton accepts this, concedes and comes out strong for Obama, or insists on waiting for the convention where she will continue to try and persuade superdelegates to change their minds before Denver in August.

Watershed and a plug for Steve Cook

This is a post I made last week on MySpace:

As many of you know, Jess and I have been attending a contemporary church in uptown Charlotte called Watershed Charlotte. My history with Christianity has been a little shaky. I grew to detest my childhood religion, which I saw as the source of past attitudes of bigotry, exclusivity and a simplistic, black and white worldview. However, my wife and I received an invitation to attend Watershed in January 2007, and I must admit my initial intentions were to satisfy Jess' desire to find a church that fulfilled her spirit. However, I quickly grew to realizing that Watershed was a place that cut out the religion and politics and concentrated solely on building better relationships with God, our environment and each other. In essence, Watershed was a place that focused on spreading the kingdom of God. I've learned that Christianity is best defined by a relationship with Christ and with others. I realized that it was okay for me to believe that God was active in my life and that his intention was never for me to learn what NOT to do, or for me to win converts over to Christianity so they can go to heaven, rather I was to live a life that showed love, compassion, equality, respect, and dignity for others. That is my purpose on this earth. And the best and only way to do that is to engage and enter into relationships with others. These relationships will not only put me in the position to lift up others, but to be lifted up myself.

Watershed has also been an opportunity for me to put my political and social views to action. In the past these views were too often defined by talk and opinion and not enough action. I believed so strongly in social justice, equality and lifting people out of life's depression, but I often retreated to my own corner of comforts, including materialism and apathy. Many people from Watershed have been an influence on me, but one person that has been a living example of how we can spread God's Kingdom is Steve Cook. My first impression of Steve Cook was this unconventional, alternative, guitar-playing guy with these funky earrings. Steve began speaking about his interest in social justice and I partnered with him on the Charlotte Torch Rally, which brought awareness to the genocide in Darfur, Sudan.

Steve and our co-pastor Scott have made plans to go to Malawi, Africa next week to undertake a fact-finding mission on how members of Watershed can be ambassadors of hope in 2009 for one of the most troubles parts of the world. After learning that one in six people in the country have the HIV/AIDS virus, Steve decided that we must do more than just feel pity for these innocent victims. We need to make a concerted effort to provide food, clean water and life-sustaining medicine. Jess and I are really looking forward to being a part of their efforts next year when we return.

With that said, I wanted to take the opportunity to plug my friend Steve's blog. You can go to http://www.stevorevo.com to learn more about the issues that Steve is involved.

The conversation begins.

Finally! I am officially a blogger. Over the last six months I've been posting on my MySpace blog my analysis of the 2008 Presidential Election, specifically on the Obama/Clinton campaigns for the Democratic Nomination. However, I wanted to go a little deeper, sharing my faith journey, and how my worldview is deeply rooted in my faith. For the longest time I've been a strong advocate of keeping faith completely separate from politics. However, the more I engage my faith and study American Politics, the more I learn that my political leanings are completely shaped by my values, and my values are completely shaped by my faith. Therefore, faith and politics are completely connected. So, while I still believe that our Government should never be beholden to one Religion or faith system, I have come to acknowledge that I am a Progressive precisely because of my faith in the Kingdom of God and the teachings of Jesus. And as believers, we must recognize that many social movements in American society have been rooted in faith.

I believe that both faith and a progressive political system serve as an undergirding for much needed societal transformation. As I educate myself, I intend to raise awareness of the great challenges we face in this world: social injustice, poverty, sexual trafficking, genocide, war, violence, environmental degradation, HIV/AIDS, economic disparity, and so on. I once read that social transformation never comes without a personal transformation. As important as education, policy ideas and issues are, social change requires something deeper. I am convinced that faith can provide the fire, passion, strength, commitment, perseverance and hope necessary for social movements to succeed and change politics. Neither the people nor the church can create societal transformation on our own. Therefore, a partnership with the political system and the American Government is required. This is the major difference between progressives like myself and conservatives. However, I believe historical precedence suggests that a partnership is required for social transformation. Never has the success and requirement of a personal-faith-government relationship been more evident than in the campaign to end slavery in both America and Britain, victory over Apartheid in South Africa, Gandhi's nonviolent liberation of India, the overthrow of communism in Poland and the 1960s American Civil Rights Movement. All these movements were rooted in faith and took a collective effort to make change real for millions of Americans who were being left behind and stripped of their God given dignity. I believe my commitment to Christ requires social action. We face similar challenges in today's world and I look forward to discussing how faith and progressive politics can serve as an undergirding for solving these global crisis.