Rose Tennent: "I don't think you can be a Christian and vote for Barack Obama"
On The War Room with Quinn & Rose, co-host Rose Tennent twice stated that "I don't think you can be a Christian and vote for Barack Obama." Tennent and co-host Jim Quinn also referenced comments Obama made on This Week with George Stephanopoulos to again falsely suggest that Obama is not a Christian.
During the October 6 broadcast of The War Room with Quinn & Rose, co-host Rose Tennent twice stated that "I don't think you can be a Christian and vote for [Sen.] Barack Obama." Tennent later said: "I don't care what kind of Christian he is -- I'm talking about Christians, voters. If you can't take a look his record, his track record, and listen to the words he's saying, and, and you can still vote for him. -- I'm curious, I'm just very curious. I don't understand it."
During the program, Tennent and co-host Jim Quinn also referenced comments Obama made on ABC's This Week with George Stephanopoulos to again falsely suggest that Obama is not a Christian. Tennent stated, "[W]hen he's not being reminded that he's a Christian, he's saying he's a Muslim, but that's OK." Quinn responded: "Yeah, oh yeah, 'my Muslim faith.' "
On the September 7 edition of This Week, Obama discussed, in host George Stephanopoulos' words, Republicans who have "suggested" he had "Muslim connections "and claimed that such suggestions are "promulgated on Fox News, let's say, and Republican commentators, who are closely allied" with Sen. John McCain's campaign. After Stephanopoulos asserted that McCain "said that's wrong" to question Obama's faith, Obama replied: "[Y]ou're absolutely right that John McCain has not talked about my Muslim faith." Stephanopoulos interjected, "Your Christian faith," to which Obama replied: "My Christian faith. Well, what I'm saying is he hasn't suggested that I'm a Muslim. And I think that his campaign, upper echelons have not either. What I think is fair to say is that coming out of the Republican camp, there have been efforts to suggest that perhaps I'm not who I say I am when it comes to my faith, something which I find deeply offensive. And that has been going on for a pretty long time."
As Media Matters for America has documented, both Quinn and Tennent, along with numerous other conservative radio hosts, seized on Obama's comment in order to suggest that the comments prove Obama is really a Muslim, not a Christian.
From the October 6 edition of Clear Channel's The War Room with Quinn & Rose:
TENNENT: You know, the other thing I don't understand is, like when we were talking earlier about where these contributions are coming from, why isn't the federal government looking into this? Why is this guy getting a free pass on everything? I can't even look at him anymore. I mean, it's on my screen right now. I gotta -- I can't take it. Now, I'm gonna tell you something else, too. A couple of times now, I've run into people who are voting -- who are Christians, and they're voting for Barack Obama. I'm going to say this. I don't think you can be a Christian and vote for Barack Obama. OK?
QUINN: Well, Barack Obama --
TENNENT: I'm just saying. Now, I'm going to get emails from people --
QUINN: You know -- oh, I don't know --
TENNENT: I don't give a rip what you said to me in the email. OK? I'm not even going to answer your email. I don't think you can be a Christian and vote for Barack Obama.
QUINN: Yeah, I'm sorry if the truth is politically incorrect. But Obama claims he's a Christian. Muammar Qaddafi --
TENNENT: But you know what? He's being remind -- when he's not being reminded that he's a Christian, he's saying he's a Muslim, but that's OK --
QUINN: Yeah, oh yeah, "my Muslim faith." Uh --
TENNENT: You mean "your Christian" --
QUINN: Right, right, yeah. I mean, here's a guy who was in Quranic studies class in a -- in a -- in an Islamic school. Here's a guy whose -- who Muammar Qaddafi says is a Muslim. The mullahs in Iran think he's a Muslim. So he must be part of the vast right-wing conspiracy, I suppose.
TENNENT: And abortion alone. And, you know, and that child protection act. All of that -- I mean, that is dirty, that is evil. I'm sorry, it is evil.
QUINN: Well, and the other thing, too, is that Christianity that he --
TENNENT: Well, I'm not even here to --
QUINN: -- adheres to --
TENNENT: -- judge his religion.
QUINN: -- is black -- well, I am. It's Black Liberation Theology that's a conveyor belt for Marxism. It's not Christianity, it's Christianity turned into politics.
TENNENT: Right.
QUINN: So don't give me this thing about how much of a Christian you are.
TENNENT: I don't care what kind of Christian he is -- I'm talking about Christians, voters. If you can't take a look his record, his track record, and listen to the words he's saying, and, and you can still vote for him. -- I'm curious, I'm just very curious. I don't understand it.
QUINN: Well, I do. It's, it's the culture of narcissism. These people want reality to be what pleases them. And they will convert anything around them, including their own morality and the morality of their church to suit what it is they want. Because what they want is everything. I want, I want, I want.
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Rose, I don't think you can be a Christian.
The War Room With Quinn and Rose? If MM kidding?
Besides "G.L." at MM, who, besides their 9 listeners, have actually heard this show?
Here we are, 30-or-so days outside an election, and MM is stooping to scrounge for "conservative minisformation" (with two posts today (!)) at the War Room With Quinn and Rose show? LOL.
MM's post just reinforces that their mission of "conservative misinformation" is silly and laughable.
Every post you make is silly and laughable.
And stupid. Bone stupid.
9 listeners is about right. You and your racist/homophobic pals are finished. The right wing can kiss the government goodbye and enjoy another 40 year hiatus wondering why no one wants to vote for them. I'm gonna rather enjoy watching you choke out "Mr. President" when you address Barack next January.
And again, critics try to have it both ways. If MMfA quotes someone who's well known, then it's "What else is new" or "Look at his ratings!". If it's someone not well known, then it's "laughable" to point out what they do.
Incidentally, it's Tuesday. The election is on a Tuesday. That would make it 28 days until the election.
If it's 28 days until the election does than mean I'll have PMS? (Post McCain Syndrome)
If I were a funny (and somewhat wealthy) person, I'd have a billboard picture of the movie '28 Days Later' on main street with a smiley sidewase face at the bottom right hand corner with an asterisk (*). Right below that would be an asterisk (*) with the words 'The nightmare is over'.
That's unfair! It's just her working girl outfit...
Gotta turn the talk-radio tricks if you wanna get anywhere in the biz.
Leopard is the print of choice you choose to humiliate yourself and talk about your husband's behavior in front of the media.
-- it's Christianity turned into politics. -- Quinn
And that's exactly what these two bozos are attempting. This absurdity is Exhibit I why christianity gets kicked around.
Are they affiliated with Wolf Buttzer's "Situation Room"?
I think I saw a picture of Quinn on "America's Most Wanted."
I think I saw a picture of Quinn on "America's Most Wanted."
I'm pretty sure I've seen Jim Quinn's photo on the wall at the post office......
Isn't it a wonderful life when someone can sit and judge another person because they do not believe he is a Christian. Obama has more Christianity in his little finger than these two have in their entire world..and that includes the make-believe pseudoChristian world of Radio Rose. How dare she criticize anyone when sitting next to Quinn? (google that jerk and his sex problems).
But all is well because Ms PseudoChristianity is a rabid follower of Hannity and sometimes appears on his show. Listen in tomorrow at 6am as Quinn will be proud as a peacock that he is listed as a jerk in MediaMatters. And if the roosters wake-up his listeners, they'll call in to support him. It looks like on the earlier thread that some of them are around.
The sick people are coming out of the woodwork because they know that they have lost in the debate of ideas. So now they have to resort to crap like this. It is quite amusing to watch these idots on the right stumble over themselves daily as they grasp at anything that reinforces their already preconceived notions about Obama. Sad pitiful people. I'm willing to bet any amount of money that when Obama becomes President they won't support the President in a time of war even though all of them preach how un-patriotic such a thing is.
Lost the debate of ideas? This election they have yet to start a debate of ideas! What's Mcsame's plan for anything? We keep hearing that he has one, but I sure haven't heard him discuss it yet.
He'll get back to yah...
He's still having the debate with himself.
Christians in good conscience can and will vote for either candidate. One has to look at the total candidate and, if taking a Christian perspective, decide which candidate best fufills Christian ideals overall. It is all subjective. Some Christians will decide Obama and others will decide McCain.
You are correct. Christians can't even agree on Christian doctrine or which translation of the Bible is "genuine", much less politics.
But I was talking about a specific place, and specific sect of Christians, called evangelicals. I live in the Bible belt, and I see it here where I work. If you're a so called "Christian", you had better be voting for McCain/Republicans, because there is no way that a "real" Christian would vote for Obama.
One might suppose another was attempting to be arch. His reply was merely insipid. And a note of condescension seems to be hidden there, as well. ¶One might expect an apologia but no apology.
Magnolia, you deserve better.
Nah, it's all good here. I've been around here long enough to know what AA is really talking about most of the time.
I'm an evangelical Christian, and I'm voting for Obama, absolutely!
In other words, anotheramerican is trying to state, “Flip a coin, it’s 50-50!” Actually it’s not…so sorry. His banal pablum smirks of the “Family Values” euphemism. Also clearly undefined are his usages of “good conscience,” “taking a Christian perspective” and “Christian ideals.” [Perhaps nerzog confused Catholic with Christian regarding “ideals”?] Nevertheless, another finishes-off his rather hack, obfuscation with another patent bromide: “It is all subjective. Some Christians will decide Obama and others will decide McCain.” To which, the philippic response “duh!” is most appropriate.
Christians in good conscience can and will vote for either candidate. One has to look at the total candidate and, if taking a Christian perspective, decide which candidate best fufills Christian ideals overall. It is all subjective. Some Christians will decide Obama and others will decide McCain.--AA
AA, that's a comment worthy of Tommy (TOMMY 1.0, anyway). I give it an A+ for sophistry.
The Presidency is not some symbolic office like the Queen of Sweden, etc. He actually has to do stuff. The greatest Christian in the world could make the worst leader and vice-versa. As a matter of fact I don't want the President worrying about being a good Christian in office. American Presidents are supposed to act in the interests (in theory, pre-modern day GOP) of the USA, not the world, and not his soul or even our souls. He is supposed to protect American interests (again in theory, pre-modern day GOP) on Earth, not Christian interests or sensibilities. The two occasionally overlap but not the majority of the time.
"...if taking a Christian perspective"??? What about an AMERICAN perspective!!!? Are you talking about Christians as a sort of ethnic group? If so, your comment makes more sense. But you should make plainer what your're on about.
I'm with you there. How about a Constitutional perspective? Such as their oath that all Presidents take when entering office, must I remind everyone:
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
I'm just saying...
I don't think you can vote for the Grampy/Twit ticket if you walk upright.
She never did say what is was that should stop a X-ian from voting for him.
Since I am retired, no longer have to drive 76 miles round-trip to work, and even sold my car, I never listen to the radio. Maybe that is one of the blessings of retirement. I don't have to listen to crap like these two. On the other hand it is a good idea to be aware of the hate-filled nut jobs and what they are planting in the minds (?) of the public. This kind of crap is not only on shows like this. Even NPR is guilty of misinformation. What about Cokie Roberts? She made some swipe at Hawaii being an "exotic" place for Obama to spend his vacation! CNN is about as reliable as Fox these days, thanks to the likes of Wolfie Blitzer (or is it Donner?)
They practically do in some churches. Of course, right-wing churchianity always ignores the Sermon on the Mount, the Two greatest Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, the entire Gospel of John, and all the parables.
This means that Jesus continually must say "Father forgive them, they know not what they do."
How's that for calling out the inveigling boobs running their mouths in rightwing radio land?
Randy
It is sort of funny (funny weird not ha ha but maybe a little ha ha) to see how desperate these Reich Wing hacks, along with their golden calf - Sean Hannity, are spinning out of control trying to turn the electoral tides back to McCain.
I have three words to describe them: Pa Thet Ic
Its all desperate now and it's all backfiring. The Christian card won't work. The crazy pastor can't work either since Palin is a nutjob herself. The "associations" won't fly in the face of Keating Five and Gordon Liddy with McCain. It's all thankfully blowing up in their faces and it shows by the bottom-of-the-barrel idiotic comments right winguts are reduced to. Dig deep inside that allegedly Christian heart and say it loud and proud: God Bless President Obama.
Academically, Tennent is accurate. That is, IF you care about the technical truth. Don't anyone get all worked up over the "judging" parable or others. Christianity is far deeper than trite interpretations that are being bandied about out here. Shouldn't ntelligence should be demonstrated in these posts unlike other places?
Why should Obama even care about this? He is running as his own person and he stands for what he believes in. He doesn't even belong to any church right now since he divorsed himself from Rev Wright and his old church of 20 years.
This should be a non-issue with the Obama campaign as it wastes time, energy and resources. Isn't there a campaign to win and issues to campaign on?