Yes, I'm getting back into posting about politics. Didn't you know there's an election in 18 months? That's like tomorrow. Just kidding- I know it's a long ways away, but even though I'm over 99% sure I will vote to re-elect President Obama, I'm feeling sorry for one of the bajillion possible Republican candidates.
Did you read the article in the Salt Lake Tribune about former Utah governor Huntsman's faith? Basically, He said this in a TIME magazine interview: “I’m a very spiritual person and proud of my Mormon roots.” And then on whether he is still a member: “That’s tough to define. There are varying degrees. I come from a long line of saloon keepers and proselytizers, and I draw from both sides.”
In response, a political science student at BYU said, “I understand what he’s doing to an extent, but why not just come out and say ‘yes,’ or ‘no’? He’s been so coy about his beliefs that I just kind of find it somewhat disingenuous.” Seriously? He think he's just being coy? There's no chance he actually feels that way and is in a questioning phase (similar to the one I've been stuck in for a few years)? It's wrong that he brings part of the Hindu faith into his family because he adopted a girl born into that faith? I think not.
I loved Robert Kirby's response, especially this quote: Had the “good Mormon” question been posed during my campaign last year, I would have instructed my press spokesman to issue the following statement: “Thank you for coming. Mr. Kirby went to church last week. Here’s a picture. Beyond that, his level of commitment to his faith is none of your [flippin’] business. Thank you.”
Even though I consider myself liberal, I liked Huntsman as Governor, especially once he left and we got stuck with his way more conservative Lieutenant Governor. I think he's a good centrist. He obviously showed that by taking a post in Obama's cabinet. Of course, that's yet another thing hard Republicans don't like about him- he's actually able to work well with a Democrat president. Good heavens, people. It is a good thing to be able to reach across the aisle. And while faith shouldn't matter in politics, it does, so we should appreciate his honesty about his spirituality and faith (or lack thereof).
3 comments:
I have to be honest: When I first heard Huntsman's response to that question, I judged him immediately. I think I assumed that he was playing politics, just wanting to downplay his association with the Church for the sake of pandering to potential voters. And interestingly enough, it seems that I still have some of that knee-jerk stereotype-Mormon instinct to judge rooted somewhere deep in my subconscious. Who knew. :)
Anyway, the moral of the story (besides confession) is that the farther I got in that TIME article, the more I found myself liking Huntsman. I feel like I need to start doing some research on his political policies, and it just may turn out that there's a Republican candidate I can stomach after all. :)
I have to admit that I found Robert Kirby kind of irritating in that response he wrote, but I obviously fully agree with the point of his article. "In virtually every other faith it’s accepted that there are varying degrees of commitment. Except, of course, in Mormonism where you’re either a “good” one or not one at all." That's exactly my least favorite thing about the culture of the Church.
Miri, don't worry, I had a somewhat similar reaction at first. I wondered if he was downplaying his religion for the sake of politics, but I didn't judge him for it, I judged the political culture in the U.S. that may lead to that happening. It shouldn't matter what religion you align yourself with OR the degree in which you follow it. I'm sure the opposite happens in Utah where politicians talk about it too much because of the LDS faith being so dominant.
Huntsman might also be the Republican candidate I can stomach, but I don't think he'll get very far. Which is sad, because he has proven he can be bi-partisan.
Also, usually I don't like Robert Kirby's columns. I only stumbled on this one while I was looking for the original article and happened to like his opinion, especially since I'd fall into the "not one at all" camp according to some people. And I hate that, because like Huntsman, I still feel like I have very strong ties to the church but I need to work out some issues.
Yeah, I'm in a similar boat, so I definitely understand.
The disappointing thing is that his bi-partisan record is probably going to work against him among staunch conservatives. I kind of hate our system sometimes... and by sometimes I pretty much mean any time I think about it. :)
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