Looking For A Hero

Harry R. Jackson, Jr.

I enthusiastically support John McCain's candidacy for president this year. My reasons are a mix of practical issues and spiritual principles. It took me months of biblical research and policy analysis to settle upon McCain. In making my decision, I had to prioritize my belief in the scriptures because of the three different roles I play in life: a Christian, an American citizen and a member of the black community.

As a citizen, I view energy policy, immigration reform, and our defense against radical Islam as three major issues that will define America for the next two decades.

McCain will expand domestic oil and natural gas exploration and production. This approach will lessen energy speculation and bring down the cost of energy in both the short and long term. No matter what Congress thinks, we cannot change the law of supply and demand. A small change in supply will have a major impact in energy costs.

In addition, the nation cannot reduce its dependency on oil unless we change how we power our transportation sector. Therefore McCain proposes a $300 million prize to improve battery technology for full commercial development of plug-in hybrid and fully electric automobiles.

He also supports flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) and a myriad of other approaches that will expand consumer choices. Smarter conservation and development of all alternative energy sources, including expanding the use of nuclear power, are a part of McCain's solution.

Radical environmentalists are attempting to influence legislators to limit energy supplies, which will artificially drive up prices. Higher energy prices will have a damaging affect on the poor who spend up to 50 percent of their incomes on energy. The poor are urban dwellers, the rural agricultural community, and the elderly. Regardless of the category, the poor are voiceless and often overlooked in public policy.

In the short term, energy policies will accelerate or retard our economic comeback during the next two years. Unfortunately energy policy reform, alone, will not turn the entire economy around. Fixing the economy will be like winning an arm wrestling contest with an octopus, yet it can be done.

As mentioned earlier, comprehensive immigration reform will shape the nation for decades. McCain has demonstrated a passion for a bi-partisan solution to this problem. He will eventually get it right. Finally, McCain realizes that the threat of radical Islam will not be negotiated away.

As an African-American, I am pleased that Barack Obama has been so widely accepted. America is ready for a black president. Sen. Obama's candidacy is a sign that America has grown racially. On the other hand, I am not convinced that the senator is the right black man at this time.

As a Christian, I believe that our next president will need more than human wisdom, organizational skill, or experience. He will need the blessing of God and a Davidic anointing and grace to defeat the Goliaths of our day. If the nation follows godly principles in the most important moral issues, we will attract the approval of God.

Please read the issue comparison chart below objectively. Next, ask yourself which candidate is most likely to ensure the blessings of God for the nation.



Although the press has labeled conservative biblical positions on marriage and life as "divisive," it is difficult to believe that the Lord is pleased that from 1973 through 2005, more than 45 million legal abortions occurred. In addition, changing the definition of marriage is more than a civil rights issue. Redefining marriage simultaneously changes the definition of a family, sex education in schools, and scores of other unintended consequences. The blessing of God will clearly follow the policy positions of the first candidate. As you have probably guessed, the first candidate is McCain; the second is Obama.

Time will not allow me to list all the contemporary problems that we could solve through a biblical approach. The Church should do more than just pray during this election; she should decide to be the ultimate swing vote - transforming the landscape of American political culture. You can read more about these principles in my book, Personal Faith Public Policy.

In conclusion, I would like to repeat the words of Griffin Bell, a Democrat and former attorney general, as he introduced John McCain at the dedication of the National Prisoner of War Museum. Bell boldly declared "we often hear people...say, where are our heroes…Senator John McCain is an authentic, living American hero."

I don't know about you, but I am looking for a hero.

*http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/fb_induced_abortion.html