Dr. Albert Mohler On The Significance Of Bob Jones III's Endorsement Of Mitt Romney

Townhall.com ^ | 10/18/07 | Hugh Hewitt

[George W. Bush]

Jones, and whoever else comes out in future days apparently aren't able to use YouTube--they need to do their homework on this man

Jones recognizes a kingmaker role. In some respects, BJU has played this role before in SC, especially in 2000. You did notice that the marginally Episcopalian McCain has suddenly become quite Baptist to add to his military appeal in SC? Let me say clearly: that is no coincidence and it is aimed very very squarely at the vote in South Carolina where McCain lost in 2000. I can't even imagine how much he hates having to do that. He's not evil or anything but he really doesn't like the Religious Right that much, being more of a southwestern libertarian type with a stubborn streak of Goldwater.

Even if we grant entirely your assessment of Romney as having been previously unreliable on the life issue, you should recognize that this is very basic politics. If Romney has made the deal (and he has), then he and his campaign have convinced the BJU people that they will complete the transformation of the Court and overturn Roe. And that would allow South Carolina to outlaw most abortions or to pass mandatory laws on waiting periods following mandatory viewings of infant sonograms, etc.

Before you object, let me say: it is BJU's ability to take a non-starter candidate and help make them the party's nominee that actually enhances their political power. Now, that sounds ugly and cynical. But that is real politics.

You might also consider that corporate America and Wall Street (normally GOP fundraising citadels) is joining with Hollywood and the trial lawyers and the labor unions behind Hitlery. So if we're going to elect a Republican, it's with our own money. A candidate like Romney who can (and probably will) write himself a check for $100 million may be the only one who can raise the kind of money to beat Hitlery. Again, we're talking crude political calculation here, not some purist theology which the BJU people do relish.

And I don't require any Baptist explanation on anything, thanks...

I mention the disclaimer about Baptists (Southern Baptist, General Baptist, etc.) because we differ politically from the Jones group and affiliated groups who are the last of the old independent fundamentalists. While there are a small number of Baptists who are included with the BJU folk like David Cloud who calls himself an independent fundamentalist Baptist and who is very much aligned with the Bob Jones agenda, these are Baptists more conservative than your average SBC Baptist. These independent fundamentalists are much more combative theologically and politically than your average SBC or General Baptist. But in a state like South Carolina, these two strains merge somewhat and a Bob Jones endorsement can be a green light for voters to vote for a candidate.

Like Tip O'Neill said, "All politics is local." And the perennial fuss over GOP candidates and BJU or VMI is a perfect illustration of it.

[flagging a few others, not for some pile-on but just for discussion of the BJU/SC factor, vital for Romney if he can win both IA & NH.]

[Uncle Chip]

He clearly overstates the influence of Bob Jones III on the fundamental Christian community and what this endorsement will mean to Mitt Romney. So many of these Christian leaders live in a fantasy land of their own self-importance, thinking that people are just dying to hear their every word, unable to think on their own, weigh the facts and make the right decision on their own. This endorsement will do more to hurt Bob Jones than to help Mitt Romney.

[HarleyD]

Just remember — a “non” vote is a vote “for” the Liberal Democrats - probably Hillary.

THAT(!) is exactly why we continue to vote.

[curiosity]

who calls himself an independent fundamentalist

Given all the bad connotations of the word "fundamentalist," it surprises me that anyone today would embrace the label.

[PAR35]

He clearly overstates the influence of Bob Jones III on the fundamental Christian community

First, BJU has had a strong influence on the Republican Right in South Carolina. Second, he is quite correct in pointing out that BJIII has given cover for any of the more mainstream members of the evangelical right who would go for Romney.

[Uncle Chip]

He's not just "pointing it out". He's "endorsing" BJIII's endorsement -- BIG TIME.

But any "mainstream member of the evangelical right" who needs BJIII's cover to vote for someone whose religious denomination is labelled a cult on BJU's website, and whose pro-homosexual pro-abortion left-leaning agenda in Massachusetts is a matter of public record, is more of a deaf, dumb and blind lemming than an evangelical.

[Ragtop]

He wasa registered independent in Massachussetts so he could vote in the primaries elections for both parties. He voted for Tsongas in the Democratic primary basically to vote against Clinton. He voted for George H. W. Bush in the general election of 1992.
Becuase of the elction laws in Mass he was bale to do this, hedging his bets and doing his part ot see a weaker candidate go up against his candidate of choice-Bush. He never “supported” Tsongas.
This was all explained yesterday moring on the CBS Sunday morning talk show in an interview with Bob Schieffer. He admitted to being wrong on the baortion issue, just as Fred admitted to be wrong about the No Child Left Behind act during last night’s debate. Does that make Fred a flip-flopper?

[NeoCaveman]

Maybe they are maturing, like Dr. Mohler says.

[NeoCaveman]

believe that George W. Romney would not have accepted such an endorsement from the grandfather Jones in 1967

And grandfather Jones would have never endorsed George Romney. Different times and different men.

[TheLion]

Bttt!