September 15, 2009
Obradovich: Fong’s ‘Christ-like’ focus remarkable, risky
Republican gubernatorial candidate Christian Fong delivered a rousing sermon over the weekend at a forum sponsored by a conservative interest group.
I say sermon, because it was certainly not a typical stump speech. Fong went far beyond the usual faith-and-values rhetoric and instead offered his views of “Christ-like servant-leadership.”
Fong was one of four candidates who spoke Saturday to the Iowa Family Policy Center’s candidate forum. When I saw the condensed version in the paper, I was skeptical’
For one thing, the Christ leadership model is a passion of one of Iowa Family Policy Center’s top officials. So such a message would be a smart way to curry favor with this influential conservative group.
But then I listened to a recording of the whole speech, and I found it pretty remarkable.
Fong argued that while conservatives are right to refuse any compromises on their values, they are focused on symptoms, not solutions.
“The critical issue for our cause is not tactical. The critical issue is spiritual,” he said.
Fong said abortion, traditional marriage, concerns about high taxes and debt are “important causes,” and he would work to advance those issues. But Iowans are seeking something more.
“Too many Iowans feel abandoned by their neighbors, abandoned by their communities,” he said. Politicians promise “hope and change,” but deliver tyranny. That sounds like a slam on the Obama administration (hey, even Jesus went negative on occasion - the Pharisees have never recovered). But Fong says it actually comes from his father, who told him he saw examples in China of the people seeking change but getting tyranny instead.
Conservatives, Fong said, should instead offer the only true solution to “a hurting heart.”
“This is what should drive us: To give people the sort of Christ-like leadership that is greater than political theater because voters are hungry to be filled by a faith in something greater than crass political calculation,” he said.
Fong provided an intriguing glimpse of an agenda aimed at inspiring Iowans to help one another, through their communities, rather than promising more and more state programs. I strongly agree that individuals and communities can do much more to help those in need. Sometimes, they can do it better and less expensively than the impersonal aid the state can provide. Too often, conservative politicians promise less government but offer nothing in exchange but platitudes about personal responsibility.
Fong said in an interview he wouldn’t dismantle welfare programs - his family relied on some aid during his childhood - but he would, as governor, give people guidance on how they can help one another. Service to others heals both the recipient and the giver.
It’s a risky proposition for any candidate to hold up Christ as his model for leadership.
I think most Iowans still believe in separation of church and state. Fong told me, however, that he’s not necessarily turning every stump speech into a tent revival. His upbringing was Christian, but not associated with any particular church. He belongs to a nondenominational congregation. “I’m not suggesting it should be Jesus Christ for governor. This is not a theocracy,” he said.
But, he said, people can appreciate Christ’s moral teachings and wisdom even if they don’t believe in his divinity.
Christ was a servant-leader, but he wasn’t a politician. His message doesn’t fit neatly into any one party’s platform. Politicians often trumpet the parts they like and ignore the rest. Take immigration. Would Jesus, who broke Jewish law by healing on the Sabbath, withhold health care from someone who lacked a green card? Fong draws lines between individual compassion and the role of government. He says as governor he would enforce the laws - but he would seek to do so in a way that recognizes the humanity of immigrants.
When a politician points to Christ as his model and then fails to live up to such a high standard, he is denounced as a hypocrite or worse. As a political newcomer, Fong has to take chances to get noticed in a crowded field. Time will tell whether this Hail Mary pass will connect with voters.
Political columnist Kathie Obradovich can be reached at (515) 284-8126 or kobradov@dmreg.com. You can follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/kobradovich. For more Obradovich columns, blogs and tweets, visitwww.dmregister.com/Obradovich.
