Remember to Vote Your Values on May 4th!
AFA-IN Political Mishmash
1) Senate Candidate Clarifies His Position on Gays in the Military for AFA-IN
I received a note from the Richard Behney for US Senate Campaign a couple of days ago in response to my request for clarification about Richard’s view of the President’s desire to repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell” to allow open homosexuality in the military. As I pledged, I am passing his statement on to you for your consideration. I very much appreciate Mr. Behney addressing this for us after there appeared to be some confusion over a recent answer he gave at an Indianapolis debate.
“In recent days I have received several inquiries about my stance of the policy of “don’t ask; don’t tell,” as it pertains to homosexuals serving in the military. My view is that the foremost consideration must be for the cohesion, effectiveness, and morale of the respective military unit. Therefore, the judgment about whether to keep or end “don’t ask, don’t tell” should be placed in the hands of our nation’s military leadership. If they believe it has been a policy that has worked and is effective, then I support its continuation. Service in the military is not a constitutional right. Participation is and should be based on one’s suitability and capability to contribute to an effective military effort and outcome. Our military leaders are clearly in the best position to judge the effectiveness and success of their units and missions. Therefore, my position is that we should respect the judgment of our military leadership on “don’t ask, don’t tell.”
2) Another Candidate Also Weighs in With AFA-IN on DADT
Yesterday, I had lunch with former Congressman John Hostettler and almost as soon as I sat down, one of his staff members wanted me to make sure that his position was perfectly clear with the readers of AFA-IN’s weekly e-mail. I told him that I’d be happy to share anything with you that was relevant if they wanted to send me a statement. John can often “wow” an audience with his depths of policy knowledge so this short statement was a bit of a surprise to me. Still, it may be all that is needed in his case if you understand that “don’t ask, don’t tell” was a break from 200 years of military policy, and a compromise with the gay demands groups, that are never satisfied with anything but total acceptance and endorsement. (This is similar to the answer Don Bates, Jr. gave in the debate.) Here is what John Hostettler sent me:
“I support a return to the policy in place prior to the first inauguration of Bill Clinton.”
3) “I am not an Illegal Alien”
I rarely mention all the candidates whom request meetings with AFAIN or call me to talk about their campaign. It can be overwhelming at times, but it does give me a good sense of what is going on in various communities, towns and districts. Yesterday, I met with Carlos May one of the candidates running for the Republican nomination to challenge Indianapolis Congressman Andre Carson this November. Carlos is a talented young man running with the blessing of the local Republican party in what seems to be a close battle with a well-known Butler University Sociology Professor (Marvin Scott) who has run several Republican primaries and given Andy Jacobs and Julia Carson close challenges.
Carlos and I had a very nice conversation, even though we are not in sync on the marriage issue. For whatever reason, I said something I don’t always say to candidates. I had thought that Carlos came to meet because of the marriage issue and his answer to a question in a debate in which the impression was given that he might not defend marriage if elected to Congress. After about an hour, I asked if there was anything I could do for him. He said, “Yes, please let your readers know that I am not an illegal alien.”
Carlos’ mother is Hispanic, and he hopes to make inroads into that community that other Republicans have not made. He is worried that there may be a whisper campaign or a rumor out there that he is not a legal citizen just as Congress and the President move toward possible amnesty and all the controversy of that issue. Obviously, as a vetted candidate, a former employee of the Mayor’s office, and many other reasons, this is simply not true and I readily agreed to let you know.
You Can Make a Huge Difference
Perhaps more than any other election in recent years your involvement can make a difference. I have spoken with numerous candidates about their internal campaign polling and almost all of them are finding that there is a large portion of the electorate that is still undecided. Many people don’t realize that “undecided” voters still go to the polls. They may have decided about their local sheriff’s race but not others. That is why your helping a candidate at the polling place on Election Day can have a significant impact. I have had numerous candidates ask me for help finding volunteers who can work a few hours at a polling place. If you would like to help make a difference with a pro-family candidate on Tuesday, let me know (micah@afain.net).
AFA-IN Part of Pastor’s Conference This Saturday
I will be speaking at Grace College in Winona Lake this Saturday morning as part of the “ONE NATION BACK TO GOD” Seminar sponsored by Kosciusko County Silent NO More. This May 1st event will be in the Rodeheaver Auditorium on the college campus.
For more information and to register, click here:
http://www.kosciuskosilentnomore.com/One_Nation_BACK_to_God.html
Worldview Boot Camp
I will also be speaking at Harbour Shores Church in Noblesville on June 2nd as part of their Wednesday night summer series called “Worldview Boot Camp.” The other speakers are Gary Kah, Carl Teichriband Chris Rosenbrough.) Gary kicks of the event next week on May 5th. For more information click on this link:
Poke A Tiger with a Stick and You Might Get Bitten
In one of the most bizarre events of the 2010 Indiana Primary, Indiana Right to Life‘s political action committee has revoked their endorsement of a candidate running for US Senate.
I have tried to make it very clear in the race for US Senate that all five of the candidates on the Republican side have a good understanding of the importance of life, family, faith and marriage to a society and defending those pillars against attacks from radical secularists and the far left. That is still true, yet sometimes news events occur which may impact a particular campaign that I simply cannot ignore in spite of our non-partisan and non-endorsing limits.
Over the weekend during a candidate forum, Richard Behney told the audience, “One of the things I’m most disappointed about in running for the United States Senate – I’ve met many people here – I’ve met many of these leaders – pro-life leaders – here in our state. And I’m convinced as sure as I’m standing here that they are more concerned with their egos and with their jobs than with saving lives.”
That statement brought a strong reaction from Indiana Right to Life and the unanimous board decision to revoke Behney’s endorsement. (The IRLT PAC had previously endorsed all five Senate GOP Candidates.) “Mr. Behney’s comment reveals an uninformed and cynical view of what drives Indiana’s pro-life leaders to invest their lives in the most selfless of causes by speaking on behalf of unborn children,” states IRTL-PAC chairman Mike Fichter. “Indiana’s pro-life leaders are mostly volunteers who give sacrificially of their time and money so that children they will never meet might be given a chance at life. This is the heartbeat of Indiana’s pro-life movement.”
I have seen an incumbent legislator lose an endorsement after voting wrong. Yet, in my 20 years in the Hoosier public arena, I have never seen anything like this where a candidate running for office who needs pro-life votes sticks his finger in the eye of pro-life leaders.
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