This campaign is the classic "style over substance" pablum we see every political season. Like Bill Clinton, Obama has a great oratorial gift. I have heard pundits say that Baracks' speeches don't 'say' anything... that's untrue. He speaks to the heart, the language of emotions... such speech is compelling, entrancing, and, by definition, devoid of serious thought (serious thought would 'break the trance')
This is not to say Obama isn't thoughtful, serious, or devoid of ideas. Quite to the contrary, Barack has many ideas he would like to implement... Programs and ideas that I consider dangerous to America. He is certainly to the left of Hillary in most ideology. Unlike Hillary, he knows how to wrap it up with a pretty bow.
He appeals to the heart, talks of change, redefines caring and fairness, promises to fulfill most of your dreams... an amazing story. What he doesn't tell you, however, is that for you to get your dreams, you must first wake up. That won't happen til november.

"It is about his personal charisma and charm. It can’t be about the issues because there are no issues in play. The entire “movement” is built on emotion and adrenaline."

It is because the American people are hearing what they have wanted and needed to hear. That there is a way for the world to be a better place and that it can start here in our own back yards. Just as a Jew who walked the Mid-East showed the residents of the land how to obtain a better life in the way, the platform Obama has set is one of experience. Show them it can be done, show them how it has been done and show them how to do it! For all the jobless and homeless and the less wealthy than we were a few years ago Americans, the message Obama sends is a blessing. A blessing in disguise? Can it be any worse than the stalemate of the campaign promises that have repeatedly let us down? We don't know the plans God has in mind for our country. But we do know what we want and cheer when we hear it. Ali

I feel that some of his background stems from a Muslem background. So do I think that Evangelicals should embrace Barack Obama, in my opinon I would have to say no. I am not just refering to his background. I feel that many leaders from around the world might not take him or Hillary Clinton very serious.

I feel like most, this would require much prayer, so I will pray to have God direct my path. I have learned a long time ago, that I could not make a sound decision without first goin to the Lord and seeking His guidance.

This elcetion will be the most important decision that America will have to make! I fell that we will need someone who will have the leadership ability to run a country that is in a recesion and a war. To say that we will pull our soildiers, sailor, and airmaen out of Iraq in one shot would be political suicide. I can say this because I have been in several confilct myself, and I have seen what a sudden pullout would do to our sercemen and women. Michael

I just read the article again, friends, it is not packed with "name calling", prejudice, and empty, substanceless proof. He cites legislation Obama backed and positions he took on the Family Research Council's survey/poll of the candidates. Second, he started out with the Bible and how Israel responded to politics, or desired them over God's Kingship and likening today to that same issue. Israel was deceived over their desire for a king instead of God's rule, and Mr. Beam was pointing to people's emotion over the Obama "Movement" being dangerous in the same way if people accept that highly emotive speeches mean whatever they desire it to mean and hope for, over what will really result in our country. He based it on the candidate's positions on issues that we are definitely concerned about as Christians, namely, Abortion and Morality in our Nation. Love does not fulfill the Law by overriding or nullifying it, but causing us to live it from a different angle, through the Spirit

My problem is not the article, but some of the responses. Of course it would be nice to be able to view them on the page where I respond. I read the Family Research Council's poll of the candidates on the issues. Obama's responses were sited in this article, and they are anti-Christian, and that's substance! Love is the truth, yes, that we learn in the Bible, but don't be deceived by idealism, that is not in the Bible. If you idealize a view of Love, you become syruppy and emotional over the idea of love, but love is getting down and dirty with the hurting, laying down your life. Jesus told us that if our eye causes us to sin, to cast it out. Well, really, only the heart causes us to sin, rooted in our sin nature, and so we must be born again, but to say homosexuality is not a sin, is un-biblical. That is not hate, because on the other hand, we need to lovingly and demonstrably get them the gospel with our lives! This article is a warning against fawning idealism without truth

I haven't decided who to vote for yet. But if xtians believe and pray in faith will not the decission be made by God rgardless? Why does the xtian study sight even address the political issues anyway?

First, I am saddened to see that a Christian website would allow such a radical to post an article that very clearly spews hatred for others. How could you allow someone like this man to post any words indicating that we as Christians should oppose laws that protect anyone, even if they are homosexuals are illegal aliens. The entire Bible is about love and changing people's heart through love. It is about showing others the love of God and allowing the Holy Spirit to work through you as men and women of God. It is allowing others to experience God through you and not this type of hatred that comes from an article like Mr. Beam's. Secondly, I am saddened to see that a man who is clearly a racist is allowed to post an article on this website. I am so glad that we as Americans have the right to speak our minds and I do not fault him for speaking his mind at all, I do fault Christianity.com for posting this mess. I am new to this website and I will now be far removed from this site.

What a confused, little article this is! First, he argues that Obama has only rhetoric and no substance. Then, he turns around ascribes all kinds of extremist views and plans to the man.
Even then the criticism amounts to name-calling with little substantive proof other than guilt by association and statements wrenched out of context on "hot button" issues (and this from one who supposedly values substance over rhetoric!)
What IS clear in this article is that Tony has a political axe to grind and is grinding it to a nub, at the expense of truth and fairness. I'm not an Obama supporter but this article simply reinforces all the stereotypes of evangelicals as shabby thinkers and unfair. Even worse, by being so removed from any scriptural content or context, it reinforces the idea that being an evangelical is about a partician politics rather than a living relationship with Jesus as revealed in God's Word.