Election 2002

The 2002 election

After the election ...

Progressives need to say Yes, there are moral issues at stake!

[12-3-02]

Witherspoon Issues Analyst Gene TeSelle sends this thought:

After the November election, there has been much Monday-morning quarterbacking, trying to figure out why there was such a conservative sweep, whether it was a sweep after all, and whether the Democratic Party ought to move left or right.

Joel Bleifuss in an editorial in In These Times (December 23, 2002, p. 2) shifted the perspective in a helpful way:

Progressives would do better to stake out positions that are not about left and right, but about right and wrong. After all, universal health care, an end to poverty, a system of public schools that educate everyone, environmental policies that sustain life, the fair sharing of our nation's wealth, a world where war is not the only option, and the idea that human values should take precedence over marketplace values are notions that, if well communicated, could transcend ideological labels and at the same time capture and define a moral center.

Progressive rethinking after the election defeats of 2002

"Don't Let the Lights Go Out"

Rabbi Michael Lerner offers helpful thoughts for progressives dealing with post-election depression, urging a spirit-based framework for progressive political action. [11-11-02]

"Faith-based initiative" becomes a tool for Republican candidates [9-18-02]

The Washington Post reports that top officials in the Bush administration's "faith-based initiative" program are using the bait of government grants to attract interest and support for Republican candidates at political events around the country, often appealing especially to black audiences - particularly pastors.

There are critics of this use of dollars and religion, though. Rep. Chet Edwards (D-Tex.) commented: "Madison and Jefferson understood the lesson of human history - that when you start combining the power of politics and the power of religion, you end up with politicians using religion as means to their own ends."

Pro-Israel groups aim to defeat African-American congresswoman in Georgia

[8-2-02]

An update on Cynthia McKinney's primary fight [8-26-02]

A few weeks ago we took note [see below] of a congressional primary race in Georgia as it reflected increasing efforts by American Muslim and Arab groups to counter the large amounts of money being poured into the contest by pro-Israel Jewish groups. This was, as some notes from our visitors commented, a complex choice.

The pro-Israel candidate, former state judge Denise Majette, defeated incumbent Cynthia A. McKinney for the Democratic nomination.

The L.A. Times commented on August 22^nd that this and another Georgia primary vote seemed to reflect voters' preference for "moderate" party loyalists rather than outspoken loners, whether on the right or on the left.

The Presbyterian General Assembly, with its election of the Rev. Fahed Abu-Akel as Moderator, signaled a commitment to fairness and a peaceful resolution of the conflicts in Israel/Palestine - a commitment clearly shared and embodied by the Moderator himself.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is also having an impact on U.S. politics in this Congressional election year. And (Surprise!) money is a bit part of it.

Rep. Cynthia McKinney, a Democrat representing Georgia's 4th congressional district, is facing a serious challenge from pro-Israel groups because of her support for a balanced Mid-East policy and her outspoken criticism of the Israeli occupation army. She faces a primary runoff on August 20th, which for all intents and purposes, determines the general election with an overwhelmingly Democrat constituency.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has published many items aimed at discrediting McKinney - with one writer calling her "a fringe lunatic, well outside the congressional mainstream."

AIPAC (The American-Israel Political Action Committee) and other pro-Israel groups are pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into her opponent's campaign coffers.

A number of other groups are working to rally support for McKinney, who is one of the strong African-American voices in Congress. These include CAIR-PAC, a Muslim-based group, along with other Arab-American groups. But also seeking support is Just Peace Contacts, which includes many Jewish activists along with Christians and Arabs. African-American groups are also rallying to her side.

For more information, check out Rep. McKinney's web site

And for more details, you may want to look at "Peace and justice forces rally to McKinney," an article by Frances M. Beal, a political columnist for the San Francisco Bayview newspaper and national secretary of the Black Radical Congress.

The Washington Post reports in more detail

The Washington Post for July 2, 2002, carried a more complete report on the contest, which shows how politicians like McKinney can be threatened if they are too willing to question the U.S. pro-Israeli stance. Muslim-American groups and individuals are weighing in with support for McKinney.

Thanks to www.onReligion.com for the Washington Post link.

Washington Office releases election guide

by Alexa Smith, Presbyterian News Service

LOUISVILLE -- July 30, 2002 -- The Washington Office of the Presbyterian Church (USA) is releasing its election-year packet for use in congregations.

The "Christian & Citizen Election Year Guide," which includes a variety of materials, from worship resources to advice on holding a candidates' forum, is free.

"The overall packet has about 13 resources in it," said Richard Houston, an editor in the Washington Office. "You can put together a study group and talk about how faith informs political work. Using Biblical perspectives, the resource helps Christians think about why they should lobby or work in the political arena.

"We all know that Presbyterians are involved in work such as shelter and food preparation for homeless groups or disaster relief and are very invested helping their representatives understand that Christians do work in the political world and they need to be heard.

"Some religious folks don't know why they should be involved in politics," Houston said. "This is an attempt to close that gap."

This resource, which is updated every other year, includes a study guide on Christians and government, and essays on getting your opinion heard in the political arena.

The office also has a 68-page booklet summarizing the positions adopted by PC(USA) General Assemblies on issues candidates may be addressing during campaigns.

To order the paper version of the election-year guide, call Presbyterian Distribution Services toll-free at (800) 524-2612. The packet number is 72-942-02-001; the number for the booklet is 72-942-02-002.

Texts of both documents are also available through the Washington Office's Web site at www.pcusa.org/washington