The first, the Republican National Convention (RNC), convened with no discussion of aspirational party platform, instead endorsing the actions and agendas of President Donald Trump.
The speakers’ list included a couple who gained national notoriety for brandishing guns at a protest group, and the Secretary of State, speaking in apparent defiance of the Hatch Act and his own express directions to Department of State employees.
While much of the convention was virtual, the President’s acceptance speech on the White House lawn stirred concern from ethics advisors and election watchdogs.
The other convention, also virtual, had far less publicity. The Convention on Founding Principles (CFC) was pulled together very quickly and ran concurrently with the RNC, from Monday to Thursday evening.
While the RNC affirmed no platform, the highlight of the CFC was a statement of principles,
hammered out as the convention began by delegates from across the country. The goal was to reclaim and restate principles that once enlivened the Republican party. The conveners were primarily Republicans stepping away from their party’s continued support of Donald Trump. Their declaration of principles begins with a rejection of that direction:
For too long our politics, and the Republican party specifically, have abandoned the principles on which our nation is built. The health and prosperity of our free society depends on its principles, and leaders who endeavor to live up to them. When our leaders fail to honor these foundational ideals, it is incumbent upon the citizens to reaffirm our commitment to them, and to hold the powerful to account.
The full declaration includes 13 statements that echo words of the Declaration of Independence, but clarifying their meaning for the 21st century.
- We explicitly condemn racism, including white supremacy.
- We support measures that ensure the accountability of those who execute the powers of government, including law enforcement and those who hold elective office.
- We support measures that strengthen electoral competition, such as fair redistricting and ranked-choice voting.
- The government must ensure that our electoral system is protected against interference not only by foreign actors such as Russia or China, but against potential domestic interlopers as well.
Reading through the principles, I found myself saying YES!
- Separation of powers.
- Affirmation of checks and balances.
- independent judiciary.
- Seeking truth and embracing facts.
- Insistence on integrity, honor and service.
- Welcoming all people seeking safety.
- Rejection of cruel, inhumane treatments such as family separation, child imprisonment, and denial of aid.
- Promotion of free trade and an end to cronyism, isolationism, and trade wars that hurt small business, labor, and consumers.
- Prudent spending and reduction of the national debt.
- Responsible management of our public finances, lands, the environment, and natural resources.
- Commitment to sustain and conserve our natural resources, and protect the environment.
- Affirmation of free speech and free press.
- Fact-based policies that promote public health and safety, including the assurance of basic healthcare for our most vulnerable.
One of the speakers was Charlie Dent, seven-term Republican Congressman from Pennsylvania. In 2017, he chose not to run again, citing toxic polarization in Congress. He recently endorsed Joe Biden, saying
This isn't about left or right. It's about right or wrong, stability vs instability, security vs insecurity, normal vs abnormal. . . . I never thought in my wildest dreams a Republican president would be up there defending the confederacy or confederate symbols. It's just beyond belief for me.
Dent repeated some of the same points on the first night of the CFC, lamenting the harm done to our economy and national security by our president’s infatuation with power:
Diplomacy, defense and development are all essential to advance our interests. Our country has been a beacon of hope to people throughout the world. It’s up to us to maintain that vision of inclusion. But that is something we’ve lost.
Other speakers included
- Former BI Director James Comey, fired by Trump in May 2017
- Former CIA director Michael Hayden
- Former US Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez
- Former Republican Governor of New Jersey Christine Todd Whitman
- Former Chair of the Republican National Committee Michael Steele
- Former Republican Congressman from David Jolly
John Kingston, who ran as a Republican candidate in 2018 for the US Senate seat held by Elizabeth Warren has since founded Christians Against Trumpism & Political Extremism.
My thoughts will be shaped by comments from Mark Galli, former editor of Christianity. He spoke about the moral complexity of leadership and his disappointment in our current president, but also reminded his listeners: when we’re treated as the enemy, as followers of Christ, we can’t respond in kind.
The most important moral trait of a political leader, especially in times of deep conflict, is that they not use power for vengeance, but for justice grounded in mercy. It’s a refusal to treat others with whom one disagrees as enemies, but only as opponents. It is to remember that even our opponents are created in the image of God and despite their views and projects that we find unsavory, they still retain an inherent dignity we are called to respect.
We are wise to remember that Donald Trump is also made in God’s image, as are all his advisors, as are Republicans who have sold their souls to sidle up to power, as are white supremacists emboldened by his contempt of others, as are those evangelicals, my brothers and sisters in faith, who talk about Mr. Trump in Messianic terms.
We will not have any right to take up leadership in any capacity . . . if in achieving a strategic victory we simply seek to punish the losers. Bearing as they do the imprint of divine dignity, we respect them still, not because they are right, but in spite of the fact that we believe them wrong, catastrophically wrong in some cases. We do so with the hope of healing a nation afflicted with the pandemic of polarization and helping us once again to become a people whose pursuit of justice and truth is ever tempered by mercy.
His speech is worth watching in full (linked below).
As we think of political things, it’s worth pausing to consider what emotions rise in us.
Fear?
Anger?
Sadness?
Prayer?
Two roads diverge in our nation, in the Republican party, in the life of the Christian church.
Will we take the road of fear and anger?
Or will God’s mercy show us a road to wisdom and a way to heal the griefs that divide us?
