First, congratulations on not only a successful but also a moral campaign. The way Barack Obama and his supporters handled themselves speaks well of both you and him. Voting for Barack Obama was the easy of two decisions with the more difficult one being my party affiliation. Having heard both John McCain's and Barack Obama's speeches and seeing the tears of joy streaming down Jesse Jackson's face I have decided to remain in and fight for the soul of my party.
When my church gathered for prayer meetings I prayed for the unity of the American people. The ugly divisiveness in many Republican rallies outraged me. Many Christians have -- and probably will, unfortunately -- say that our choosing Barack Obama to be president is a sign of judgment on our nation. I believe the opposite. I believe God is healing us as a nation. Yet, I don't believe it is my prayer that God answered. John McCain was concerned about people making over $250,000, and Barack Obama is concerned about the Middle Class, but God is concerned about the poor and oppressed. The failed and disproven economic and environmental policies of the Republicans hurt the poor around the World more than people like myself. Add to that centuries of racism and oppression in this country. Scripture teaches us that the prayers of the poor and the oppressed are a sweet aroma to God and He hears them and answers them. He did so yesterday.
Given that I am in whole-hearted agreement with Barack Obama's and progressives' vision for this country then why am I staying a Republican? Because God in his mercy does not punish His children, he disciplines them. I want to make sure that the Republicans take away the right message from yesterday. John McCain did everything the conservatives asked of him from picking Sarah Palin, to shilling supply side economics, to the bare-knuckles negative campaigning. In my opinion, we saw the real John McCain last night and if not it is the heart of many Republicans like myself. It is important that Republicans understand how supply side economics and zero regulation capitalism have destroyed the world economy. In my opinion God stopped us from continuing down this destructive road for the sake of the poor and the oppressed. It is important for Republicans to understand how important unity and healing are and have us move away from the politics of personal destruction. It is important for us as Republicans -- and even moreso as Christians -- to repent of the centuries of racism and hate. I believe through the actions of many of our young people who are leading the way we are seeing the first fruits of that repentance. Barack made a good-faith offer to listen to us and we should respond in kind, knowing listening does not mean agreement. I plan on making sure that Republicans get the lesson I believe God was trying to teach us last night and that lesson is best taught from the inside.
Last night, the Bishop T.D. Jakes called those of us who are people of prayer to pray for President Obama and I plan to heed his call. May the Lord bless this country and her next President. The Lord bless him, and keep him, and make His face to shine upon him and give him peace. Amen.