All the Candidates’ Wives
- Mar 13, 2007 - 22
When asked by multiple media outlets about the 2008 election, Richard Land gave his thoughts on several of those aspiring to be president, including his concern that marital indiscretions suggest a character flaw that could impact an individual’s service as the United States’ chief executive.
Should a candidate’s marital history be considered fair game in determining their qualification for president? Tell us what you think in the Comments section below!
A few possible answers to get you started…
- a) Yes, without a doubt.
- b) It depends on the circumstances.
- c) No, that’s in the past and doesn’t have a bearing on the job.
- d) I don’t really know.
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comments
1 On Mar 14th, 2007, at 6:01am, Cindy from Maryland wrote:
a) Yes, without a doubt.
While a past marital status is in the past, it speaks to a person’s ability to make sound decisions and then stick with them.
If one considers the covenant vow of marriage to be a temporary condition, what other decisions might be made with a short-sited view.
2 On Mar 14th, 2007, at 6:42am, Kathy Haigler wrote:
b) It depends on the circumstances.
Was the person a Christian at the time of the adultery, or have they become a Christian now?
Do they admit now it was a terrible mistake? Have they truly repented and turned from that sin?
Why does the candidate now feel it was wrong? Because they were convicted of sin in their life? ...or because they got caught? ...or because they are running for political office now? What changed their attitude?
I’m just a sinner saved by grace. I’ve made plenty of mistakes. I probably won’t ever run for office, but if I did, I would need to be honest about what I’ve done, explain why I wouldn’t do that again, and prove my change by my track record since I stopped practicing whatever sin is under scrutiny.
3 On Mar 14th, 2007, at 6:55am, billy high wrote:
Will not vote for a divorced and remarried person.
4 On Mar 14th, 2007, at 8:39am, Donna wrote:
It does depend on the circumstances. In most cases I do agree that marital indiscretions point to a character flaw. But I do have to remember the case of King David. And a candidate that is truly repentant and has turned from his sin, and yes he must admit that it is sin, should not be automatically disqualified due to this past sin. However, it must be an open honest repentance and not an “I’m sorry” but I will do this again and again. That type of behavior certainly points to a candidate who has no integrity and should not be trusted with public service.
5 On Mar 14th, 2007, at 8:57am, Terry Jarrard wrote:
a)Yes, without a doubt.
If a person has trouble with family relationships, how are they going to be able to deal with national and international relationships.
Faithfulness in the marriage relationship is a good indication on how faithful will be in carrying out their responsibilities in any public office.
We should demand the highest level of integrity in our leaders, especially the President of the United States of America.
6 On Mar 14th, 2007, at 9:00am, Mike wrote:
A candidate with a record of marital infidelity exhibits the character flaw of lack of self control. He has violated an oath before God to be faithful to his wife. Who can say if he will violate the oath to defend the constitution that he will take at his inauguration? After all, he will swear on the Bible, so help me God - much like he did in the wedding ceremony.
Public leaders must be held to a higher level of accountability. After all, if gold will rust, what will iron do?
7 On Mar 14th, 2007, at 9:27am, Dale Sauls wrote:
b) It depends on the circumstances. While we should consider a person’s marital commitment & fidelity as extremely important, we should certainly allow also for God’s grace and forgiveness if a person has fallen short in the past but has repented of the sin (whether adultery or divorce). One of the greatest presidents this country has ever had (Ronald Reagan) had divorced and remarried but he certainly had a strong commitment to honor God while he was in office.
8 On Mar 14th, 2007, at 11:09am, Tittusmoody wrote:
Yes and no. The problem is that God created humans to be sexual beings. Yes we always hear of the male indiscretion, but those men are generally with someone’s wife. According to numerous recent studies published in the psychiatric medical journals, women are just a likely to be unfaithful as the male. We have achieved equality between the genders.
This is true across the spectrum of social economic status and religious affiliations. In fact, according to some studies, Christians are equally unfaithful as the “common person”. One study even suggests that up to 62% of us Christians have at least one affair during our marriage.
Yes, it is important, but being a Christian has little influence on the final outcome. Be careful if this is to be the mark of character to help separate the “Godly” candidate from the pack.
9 On Mar 14th, 2007, at 12:07pm, Gary Bartlett wrote:
I think that the answer to the question is B—it depends on the circumstances. I was struck by the rigid legalism of some of the responses and saddened. Thankfully my view of Jesus allows for redemption from sin as long as true repentance takes place. As trite as this may sound, in this day and age marriage takes 2 willing participants and divorce takes but one.
10 On Mar 14th, 2007, at 12:51pm, Donald L. Cobb wrote:
I would have to look long and hard at any candidate who seemed to have a problem staying married to one wife. But, if you add to that the candidate’s support of the homosexual lifestyle and abortion, I could never support that candidate. There are many good men who could be the chief executive of the United States who have remained true to their families and have taken a strong biblical stand on moral issues such as homosexuality and abortion. God bless that kind of candidate.
11 On Mar 14th, 2007, at 1:36pm, JBass wrote:
It definitely depends on the circumstances. If a person is truly repentant of their past and is trying to live a better Christian life who are we to tell them that is not enough? As Christians we need to be very careful about self righteousness and while I agree that our leaders should be held to a high standard you will never find a perfect candidate.
We need to remember as in our own lives that our failures are what give us a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ as well as character strength. A candidate who is open, honest, remorseful, and stronger from past mistakes is all I can ask of someone not that they have been perfect because no one would qualify. If we prayerfully listen to a candidate over a period of time I believe their true character will come to light.
12 On Mar 14th, 2007, at 4:22pm, Ed Sasnett wrote:
Yes! We were told character didn’t count when Bill Clinton was running for office. What mattered was the ability to lead. Now our teens don’t think oral sex is sex, and it has become a youth mores. Leadership is determinative.
13 On Mar 14th, 2007, at 5:35pm, eric wrote:
I am saddened by those who make a candidate’s ‘faith’, [or lack of it] the determining factor for support. Considering the leadership of the present ‘born again’ administration, I would rather be led by someone who understands the Constitution, who can practice diplomacy without the use of military forces, who seeks advice from a broad range of the American populace and who respects the diversity of that populace. [being able to pronounce “nuclear” would be good, too.]
If that candidate is a thrice-married lesbian Muslim, she’ll have MY vote!
14 On Mar 14th, 2007, at 7:51pm, Phyllis wrote:
A flawed character with a repeated sin of the magnitude of divorce would be a dubious choice for President. God does forgive sin, but repeatedly for the same one? There are prices to pay even when these are confessed to Him- in David’s case the loss of a beloved son, in Gugliani and Newt’s cases, a presidency. A Leader must set a better example than that, and for Christians to help elect such as these and others with obvious character flaws, such as Mrs (and Mr) Clinton, or Obama, is taking the low road to failure as a people and Nation.
15 On Mar 14th, 2007, at 8:04pm, David Oldfather wrote:
b-I agree with Kathy.
I would be far more inclined to vote for a man who had demonstrated longterm marital fidelity than for one who had not. I generally think that man would be more likely to hold my views on abortion and tradional marriage. I would not vote for a candidate who favored abortion or same sex marriage under any circumstance.
But I think the circumstances of a divorce need to be taken into account. Kathy is right when she says we should consider if the person was a Christian at the time. We need to remember that Ronald Reagan was divorced but he didn’t want it and he was one of the best presidents of this century, if not the best.
16 On Mar 14th, 2007, at 8:26pm, Joe Birbiglia Live from NY wrote:
Hi Dr Land, What you said about Giuliani is true. Put at the World Trade He was driven by God to do all he did to keep the city together. I met him I was at my post as force protection he shook my hand and said Thanks for your service I said No problem.He smiled and said Thanks Thank You.I know we all sin maybe God will forgive Him I know he will if he bows the knee to Christ his Savior.Roman 8:28.Hopefully before he gets to be President. Love in Him Live from New York Joe Birbiglia
17 On Mar 15th, 2007, at 7:58am, eric wrote:
Phyllis:
To what ‘obvious character flaws’ do you refer re: Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama? The ‘sin’ of being Democrats? If you have specifics, please share; otherwise your comment is ‘drive by’ character assassination.
18 On Mar 15th, 2007, at 9:52am, Roger wrote:
With the attack on the family in our nation and the way other nations view America as immoral, I believe we need to look very carefully into the life of each individual. Was the divorce due to womanizing? Poor Decision making? Immaturity? Spouse’s Behavior? Moral Failure? After all the one hoping to be the next leader of our nation will also be an example of America to the world.
Can God forgive? YES! Does God forgive? Yes! Is it hard for people through-out the world to understand that? Yes! Has the individual sought God’s Forgiveness and Direction? That is possibly the greatest issue. Has he overcome the failure of his marriage, taken responsiblity for the divorce, and established his current marriage on God and God’s Truths?
The thing I don’t want is for people to push aside the sanctity of marriage, in order to gain Political Possition. Marriage is the first institution given to man, not government. God Blesses Marriages that Bless Him.
19 On Mar 15th, 2007, at 1:59pm, Tittusmoody wrote:
Many of us seem to agree that using the marriage bed as a benchmark of faith is not wise.
Roger wrote a tell-tale comment: view America as immoral.
When this war broke, I took the time to search the Islamic pages. Contrary to what many politicians and many of the Left wish for us to believe, the Islamic world is afraid of our lack of morals. Time and again they write about our acceptance of Homosexual union, the murder of babies, and the fixation with violence. The funny thing is that these are the very rights which some of our politicians are demanding as the foundation of America.
As a middle-ager who grew up in a very politically active family, both parties, I greatly miss the Democratic Party of my youth. Where are the Christian Democrats who will stand on the Word?
But again to make divorce and fidelity as our benchmark seems to scream HYPOCRIT.
20 On Mar 16th, 2007, at 8:53am, Fred Griggs wrote:
Yes, without a doubt. I went to work for a management firm in California after getting out of the Marine Corps in 1970. One of the questions the president of the company ask was, are you married and have you been divorced? He consider divorce to be evidence of a management flaw and would considered that a negitive in hiring someone to mange one of his accounts. He felt that a good manager should manage his house well.
This does not mean that he never hired someone who was divorced. Obviously, this was just one of the questions which told him something about the person’s management skills. However, today this is often not considered at all.
21 On Mar 20th, 2007, at 4:05pm, steve wrote:
After being told that a second plane had smashed into the WTC the President, not knowing what to do, decided to keep on with his pithy photo opportunity and read ‘My Pet Goat’ in front of a class of school children. Can someone explain to me how President Bush’s fidelity or otherwise would have affected this totally inappropriate behaviour?
Christians need to realise that being obsessed with what others do in their bedrooms (or oval offices) is akin to watching pornography?
22 On Aug 24th, 2007, at 12:23pm, Susan wrote:
A) without a doubt. If the candidate states that they are a Christian at the time, but where unable to keep the commandment of adultery then you can assume that he will find it difficult to be honest with the country as well. It is a matter of integrity. Democrats and Republicans. I am looking for a candidate that I can trust. In response to “Steve” above, I can tell you that President’s Bush’s faith brought about the ban on partial birth abortions - a step in the right direction. Jesus would love the mother, but he would stand up and say the child (not “fetus”) is His own as well and should not be destroyed because it is inconvenient at the time - adoption is the answer.