A luta do lado republicano pela vitória nas primeiras primárias, no Iowa, está a bipolarizar-se entre os dois candidatos que, de um modo ou outro, introduziram nos seus discursos invocações religiosas: Mike Huckabee, ex-governador do Arkansas é baptista, com formação religiosa na congregação, Mitt Romney, ex-governador do Massachusetts, é mormon. Aparentemente, são tricas de religiosidade primária que estão a promover a subida nas sondagens destes dois advogados de Deus na Terra e a fazer esquecer os outros, alguns bem mais cotados à partida e melhor posicionados a nível nacional: Huckabee recebe, neste momento, 35% dos votos, Romney 27 %, Thompson 9%, Giuliani e Ron Paul 8%, McCain 6%.
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O súbito crescimento do padre baptista nas sondagens, que não acredita no evolucionismo, aumentou várias vezes os impostos enquanto foi governadar do Arkansas e agora promete eliminar o imposto sobre o rendimento, está a colocar em pânico as hostes republicanas não radicais.
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O artigo que a seguir transcrevo, parcialmente, do Washington Post é revelador de uma certa América retrógrada mas também da ameaça demagógica que é ameaça permanente da democracia, e que não olha a meios para atingir os seus fins, não só nos EUA mas por toda a parte onde a democracia vingou. Incluindo a invocação de Deus contra o Deus dos outros.
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They call it the Iowa caucuses, but the way these Christian warriors are going after each other, the contest looks more like the Sack of Constantinople.
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Romney, standing on the stage next to a Christmas tree, told a few heartwarming tales "as we think about the Christmas spirit," particularly the Christmas when he and his children helped a poor family. "My sons found that the most memorable Christmas they'd ever experienced," he said, before informing the crowd that "God doesn't just love the land of Iowa; he loves the people of Iowa."
Romney, standing on the stage next to a Christmas tree, told a few heartwarming tales "as we think about the Christmas spirit," particularly the Christmas when he and his children helped a poor family. "My sons found that the most memorable Christmas they'd ever experienced," he said, before informing the crowd that "God doesn't just love the land of Iowa; he loves the people of Iowa."
A new Washington Post-ABC News poll suggests that Huckabee is winning the holy war. He's jumped to a lead of 35 percent to 27 percent in Iowa, almost entirely because of his enormous advantage, 57 percent to 19 percent, among evangelicals. "There's only one explanation for it, and it's not a human one," Huckabee said recently of his rise in the polls. "It's the same power that helped a little boy with two fish and five loaves feed a crowd of 5,000 people."
The first crusade in this primary season began last month, with a Huckabee ad displaying the words "CHRISTIAN LEADER" in large print as he spoke into the camera. "Faith doesn't just influence me, it really defines me," Huckabee proclaimed.
Romney retaliated in early December, giving a speech about his Mormonism that targeted the evangelical voter. "I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God and the Savior of mankind," he preached, further informing the electorate that "freedom requires religion" and proclaiming his allegiance with "any person who has knelt in prayer to the Almighty."
Huckabee struck again last week, with a quote in the New York Times Magazine asking: "Don't Mormons believe that Jesus and the devil are brothers?" Romney thought that was "going too far," and Huckabee apologized -- but the blow had landed.
But this week, Huckabee was at it again with a new ad, this one showing him in a red sweater. In the background, a white bookshelf is decorated in Christmas greens, leaving only a white cross that seemed to float over the candidate's right shoulder. He suggested people "pull aside" from political ads and "remember that what really matters is the celebration of the birth of Christ."
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He offered some of his standard lines for the religious conservatives ("Culture makes all the difference"; "Most of us believe in God"; "Marriage is between a man and a woman"). The sheer size of Romney's Christmas party must have overwhelmed the hotel's electric capability, for the room went dark as soon as Romney finished his speech. The voltage returned, and the speakers pumped out "I'll Be Home for Christmas," "Angels We Have Heard on High" and "Ave Maria."
Huckabee eschewed the Christmas-tree symbolism and the carols, but the candidate, speaking in a badly overcrowded meeting room at the mall, made up for it with a more overtly religious appeal. "Here's a guy who fears God," said the man introducing Huckabee.
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When a questioner confessed that his wife is a "lifelong Democrat," Huckabee quipped: "We'll pray for her." (...)
When a questioner confessed that his wife is a "lifelong Democrat," Huckabee quipped: "We'll pray for her." (...)
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