Re: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] [POLITICS] Biden is screwed

[Stephen Montgomery-Smith <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

Mike Miller wrote:
> On Thu, 1 Feb 2007, Stephen Montgomery-Smith wrote:
>
> > I simply don't see how this is a liability for Obama.  It shows that 
> > he has faced the hurdles that many youth in this country face, and has 
> > come out the other side battered and bruised, but stronger for having 
> > faced his failings.
>
>
> It will hurt him just a little.  If he had never done it, he'd be better 
> off.  People want a President who is a good role model for their kids. 
> They don't want their kids to snort cocaine.

Alright, let me say it this way.  His history can play extremely 
positively to the religious right.  Christianity is full of people who 
had wild youths, and then reformed after having seen the truth.  This 
includes quite a few pastors in my church, recent figures like Nicky 
Cruz, more historic figures like William Wilberforce, John Newton, and 
Augustine, even Matthew and Mary Magdeline who figure in the Bible itself.

If Obama comes out endorsing drug use saying "it was good for me, so it 
is good for everyone else" of course it will be a huge disaster.  But if 
he comes out saying that it was a big mistake, but as a result of his 
mistakes he has tremendous compassion for those who have also made these 
poor decisions in life, and provides hope for them that they can get out 
of the pit they find themselves in - well, he has potential to be a 
totally amazing president.

And if it turns out that my political acumen is wrong (not an unlikely 
proposition), and his self-revelations do hurt him, but Obama still 
holds fast to honestly facing his sordid past, he will simply rise even 
higher in my esteem.

Stephen

_______________________________________________
discussion mailing list
EMAIL:PROTECTED
http://mlug.missouri.edu/mailman/listinfo/discussion