Senator Brownback, Rockstar (By Guest Blogger John Budnick)

From Rolling Stone magazine, "God's Senator: Who Would Jesus Vote For, Meet Sam Brownback", by Jeff Sharlet.

As Karol mentioned in my introduction, she and I met at an event for Senator Brownback. Karol says that I am the only supporter of his that she has met and insisted that I provide some explanation. So far, most arguments I have heard for or against a candidate have been more arguments why other people will vote for that candidate, not why I should vote for the candidate. Here is why I would vote for Senator Brownback: he is a man I trust.

I don’t agree with all of Sen. Brownback’s positions, nor should I expect to. However, I do agree with his principles and - based on his prior actions - feel that he will stick to those principles in season and out of season. In addition, I have always found him to be a warm, generous person who is both very idealistic and very practical. As an example of his practical optimism, study his position on taxes. Like most conservative politicians, he supports a flat tax, but understands that most interest groups have a stake in the current system.

In order to overcome the usual barriers to change, Senator Brownback proposes that we work within the current tax system. He suggests that we use the Alternative Minimum Tax and turn it into an Alternative Maximum Tax. That way, people who want deductions for their hybrid cars can take them using the current system of deductions or they can pay one flat rate.

The drumbeat coming from all sides is that we need a winner, someone who can beat Hillary. However, those calls are coming too early. It's too early to anoint a John McCain, Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani, Newt Gingrich, Fred Thompson, or whoever the next flavor of the month happens to be. After all, if the only point is to defeat Hillary, why be Republican at all? Why not become a Democrat and vote for Obama in the primaries?

At this point in the race, we need to foster a debate about ideas, within the party, so that we have a strong candidate who embodies the best the party has to offer later, when we need to focus on party unity. Candidates like John McCain and Sam Brownback do encourage that debate and are taking difficult principled positions that they are willing to defend despite opposition. They do believe in the best America offers the world and they believe in defending America from those who would do us harm. Fortunately in the Republican Party we can have these debates and fortunately we have good candidates willing to stand by their principles.

Currently, Senator Brownback is the only candidate defending the traditional Christian principles upon which this country was founded. We need that voice as part of the debate within the Republican Party, particularly since most Americans still believe in those principles. Many not only believe in those principles, but try to live them in their daily life. Although I am not always the best neighbor, friend, employee, parishioner, or citizen, I think that they are all good pursuits and I am pleased to find a candidate that agrees. Can Sam Brownback win the presidency? Yes, but that’s not the point. Should Sam Brownback be president? Yes, and that’s why I support him.