On ‘A New American Holy War’: “With Mike Huckabee’s surge in popularity, at least I can feel he’s sincere about his faith, if a bit naive science-wise. Seeing Mitt Romney’s courting of the religious right, I can’t help but wonder what he really believes.” Ron Clearman, Pinson, Ala.
Edwards ’ s Sleeper Campaign Thank you for showing that there are three, not two, front runners in the Democratic presidential field (“The Road Warrior,” Dec. 24). John Edwards may not make as sexy a story as the first viable black candidate or woman candidate, but Edwards is the real Democrat in this race. He may look soft, but he is a man who has fought the corporate goliaths and won. He has endured personal tragedy and persevered. He rose from a humble background and wants everyone to have the same chances he had. This is someone I want as my president. Isn’t it funny how the Southern white guy is the one real progressive among the top three? Jill Cozzi Washington Township, N.J.
Your cover story on former Senator John Edwards told me about his family and his college years, and much about his campaign strategy. But if I based my decision for Edwards solely on your article, I would know only that he’s a populist and a skilled campaigner. I’d certainly have no notion what his specific ideas on welfare or foreign policy are, or how he intends to implement those ideas. More policy information would be helpful as I make my voting decision. Athena Dalton Longmont, Colo.
It is obvious that John Edwards truly is a hard worker and has been successful in his endeavors. But this is true of the majority of candidates running for president. The electorate must consider whether the skills that candidates learned throughout their careers will lead to success in the presidency. As the most challenging issues that lie ahead for the next president include improving foreign policy, health-care reform and restoring the middle class, Edwards’s success as a trial lawyer will provide little in terms of preparation for these tasks. The “populist” fa?ade and rolled-up-sleeve appearance that he sports cannot disguise a career built on multimillion-dollar settlements against health systems and corporations. The net result of his career success has been to further undermine the appropriate allocation of health-care resources. Leonard Johnson Grosse Pointe Park, Mich.
Threatening Conversion I was quite disturbed by Lorraine Ali’s article about Justin Fatica, the self proclaimed prophet who is hellbent on “raising up warriors for the Lord” (“For the Love of Christ,” Dec. 24). If he were yelling about UFOs, he’d be labeled insane. If he were yelling about Islam, some might call him a terrorist. Instead he’s yelling about Jesus Christ. And there are parents who willingly allow this to be perpetrated on their children? Screaming at a girl until she’s on the verge of tears? Yeah, I’m pretty sure that’s how Jesus would have handled it. Arthur Morison Ellsworth, Maine
Lorraine Ali watched the HBO documentary “Hard as Nails,” and her resulting critique of the film reminded me of how easily our perceptions can be shaped by a communications medium and its gatekeepers. Any HBO documentary is going to include fascinating and shocking footage to pique the interest of viewers. But I urge those viewers to seek out more information before making judgments about Hard as Nails Ministries and Justin Fatica, the main subject of the film. Many moments in the film, also mentioned in Ali’s article, capture Fatica making a brief, striking statement during what is actually a lengthy speech or dramatic skit. Without hearing the speeches or skits in their entirety, one can easily draw false conclusions. In reality, our events are typically all-day programs, which are prayerfully and carefully designed. We have great love and compassion for the youth we serve. Our approach should be judged in the fullness of this context rather than by a sound bite from a film. Ultimately, our mission is to articulate the Gospel in a dynamic way that youth can easily understand, so that by God’s grace they will know the love of God, develop a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ and experience his healing power in their lives. Timothy J. Hanley, Executive Director Hard as Nails Ministries Paramus, N.J.
Huckabee, Romney and Religion Your cover story on Mike Huckabee reveals several crucial flaws in the presidential candidate (“A Pastor’s True Calling,” Dec. 17). He used his devotion to the church as a segue into politics, allegedly exhibited dubious spending habits, betrayed his GOP status by cranking up Arkansas taxes as governor and, unlike most of the other candidates, has no solid solution to illegal immigration. Huckabee’s personal skills and abundant preaching on the campaign trail may appeal to a wide audience, but those who understand the contradictions in his politics will see he’s out of his league. Adam Sylvain Rochester, N.H.
As a staunch Democrat and equally steadfast atheist, I honestly have to say that I somehow have taken a liking to Mike Huckabee. Though we have no common ground in faith and he may have a faith-based agenda that I don’t agree with, Huckabee still has the essential ingredient all other candidates lack—a footing in the middle class. With his background of coming from no money, it’s no wonder that his burgeoning campaign is gaining the interest of many voters, including me. Fred Haegele Cincinnati, Ohio
“A New American Holy War” (Dec. 17) implies that the Republican presidential campaign has descended into a kind of holy war. The problem with this conclusion is that the war is one-sided. In Mitt Romney’s speech on faith in America, he made no attack on another religion. To the contrary, he paid heartfelt compliments to evangelicals, Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Jews and Muslims. He even suggested that he wished his faith would emulate some of their positive attributes. Every observant American knows that Romney has been on the defensive about his Mormon beliefs since the beginning of the campaign. And time after time, he continues to turn the other cheek. One could conclude he has taken the more “Christian” approach. Glen Mella Potomac, Md.
I would love my president to be a born-again Christian, but I’ve learned that closeness to God doesn’t necessarily translate to greatness in leadership. God still allows us to make our own decisions, and presidents, like the rest of us, make mistakes. Two presidents most vocal about their Christian faith have been Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush. Yet many believe their presidencies were failures. Our greatest president, Abraham Lincoln, although he knew his Bible, could hardly be described as evangelical. While I obviously believe that faith is important, Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee, and every other candidate, must be assessed primarily on their records. We are not electing our pastor but our commander in chief. On that score, Romney is the better choice. Dev Lobo Brookfield, Wis.
Your article says it has become a requirement for presidential candidates to “make a public declaration of faith.” As a voter for more than 25 years, I don’t consider that my requirement. I don’t want a “religious” president. George W. Bush’s tenure has confirmed for me that religious, righteous certainty tramples the progression of negotiation and consensus building that a successful, diverse society needs from its leaders. His righteousness has led us to torture and to a world that is more dangerous now than before 9/11. Knowing how dangerous a righteous president can be, I will not vote for a candidate who I worry will trust more in his faith than in the hard work of leading and governing fairly. Todd Milliken Windsor, Calif.
Religious affiliation and sincerity have rarely been a reliable litmus test for choosing great leaders of the free world. Voters who made firm assumptions based on Richard Nixon’s Quaker upbringing or Bill Clinton’s Baptist faith were likely surprised by what they got in the end. Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson were religiously ambiguous, yet both were truly great presidents. Moral, wise and effective leaders can be found both within and outside church walls. Bradley Mozee Orinda, Calif.
Correction In “The Road Warrior” (Dec. 24), we stated that “under Iowa’s arcane caucus rules, a precinct where 25 people show up to vote gets the same number of delegates as a place that packs in 2,500.” That is incorrect. Under Democratic rules, Iowa’s precincts are allocated delegates according to past voter turnout. Precincts that turned out more voters in previous elections have a greater number of delegates to choose this year. If a small precinct has an unusually large turnout, the number of delegates will not change. NEWSWEEK regrets the error.
