US elections victory for ‘moral centre’, claims Jim Wallis

-10/11/06

American progre


US elections victory for ‘moral centre’, claims Jim Wallis

-10/11/06

American progressive Christian leader Jim Wallis claims that the mid-term congressional election results in the United States are a defeat for the religious right and the secular left ñ and a victory for what he calls the ëmoral centreí.

But other commentators remain concerned that religious interest groups, of whatever kind, are too dominant in electoral politics.

The observations come as Democrats celebrate sweeping victories in the House of Representatives, and a narrow win in the Senate, too. Hard-line US Ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, looks to be the latest high-profile Bush administration casualty of the political swing.

On his influential ëGodís Politicsí weblog, Wallis ñ who is often identified with the evangelical left, but has been trying to build a wider constituency recently ñ declares: ìIt is clear from the election results that moderate, and some conservative, Christians (especially evangelicals and Catholics) want a moral agenda that is broader than only abortion and same-sex marriage.î

He continues: ìVarious exit polls showed a shift of 6% to 16% fewer evangelicals and Catholics supporting Republican candidates than in 2004. Poverty, the war in Iraq, strengthening families, and protecting the environment are all moral values. And many Americans this year voted all of their values.î

Commenting on the resignation of Bush Secretary of Defence Rumsfeld, and the presidentís apparent recognition that the country needs a fresh perspective on foreign policy, Wallis says on behalf of Sojourners/Call for Renewal: ìWe believe that the first order of business for the new Congress and the administration must be determining alternatives to the current disastrous course.î

He added: ìVoters also recognized that while the economy is in good shape for some, there are still too many being left out, especially working families. It is significant that in all six states where an initiative to raise the minimum wage was on the ballot, it passed, in most cases by overwhelming margins. Congress and the administration must now pass a federal minimum wage increase that will benefit all working people in America.î

Broad-based faith groups have been particularly active on the question of a ëliving wageí in recent months.

But some Christian and non-religious progressives may be worried about the kind of ëstrategic allianceí that Jim Wallis seems to be advocating, worried that this will involve the creation of yet another hegemonic block to force the political agenda.

He declares: ìA significant number of candidates elected [in these polls] are social conservatives on issues of life and family, economic populists, and committed to a new direction in Iraq. This is the way forward: a grand new alliance between liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans, one that can end partisan gridlock and involves working together for real solutions to pressing problems.î


US elections victory for ‘moral centre’, claims Jim Wallis

-10/11/06

American progressive Christian leader Jim Wallis claims that the mid-term congressional election results in the United States are a defeat for the religious right and the secular left ñ and a victory for what he calls the ëmoral centreí.

But other commentators remain concerned that religious interest groups, of whatever kind, are too dominant in electoral politics.

The observations come as Democrats celebrate sweeping victories in the House of Representatives, and a narrow win in the Senate, too. Hard-line US Ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, looks to be the latest high-profile Bush administration casualty of the political swing.

On his influential ëGodís Politicsí weblog, Wallis ñ who is often identified with the evangelical left, but has been trying to build a wider constituency recently ñ declares: ìIt is clear from the election results that moderate, and some conservative, Christians (especially evangelicals and Catholics) want a moral agenda that is broader than only abortion and same-sex marriage.î

He continues: ìVarious exit polls showed a shift of 6% to 16% fewer evangelicals and Catholics supporting Republican candidates than in 2004. Poverty, the war in Iraq, strengthening families, and protecting the environment are all moral values. And many Americans this year voted all of their values.î

Commenting on the resignation of Bush Secretary of Defence Rumsfeld, and the presidentís apparent recognition that the country needs a fresh perspective on foreign policy, Wallis says on behalf of Sojourners/Call for Renewal: ìWe believe that the first order of business for the new Congress and the administration must be determining alternatives to the current disastrous course.î

He added: ìVoters also recognized that while the economy is in good shape for some, there are still too many being left out, especially working families. It is significant that in all six states where an initiative to raise the minimum wage was on the ballot, it passed, in most cases by overwhelming margins. Congress and the administration must now pass a federal minimum wage increase that will benefit all working people in America.î

Broad-based faith groups have been particularly active on the question of a ëliving wageí in recent months.

But some Christian and non-religious progressives may be worried about the kind of ëstrategic allianceí that Jim Wallis seems to be advocating, worried that this will involve the creation of yet another hegemonic block to force the political agenda.

He declares: ìA significant number of candidates elected [in these polls] are social conservatives on issues of life and family, economic populists, and committed to a new direction in Iraq. This is the way forward: a grand new alliance between liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans, one that can end partisan gridlock and involves working together for real solutions to pressing problems.î