SBC Reaction? Sarah Palin, Alaska Governor, to be McCain's Running Mate

Fox News, CNN, and CNBC have been reporting that Sarah Palin, the first term Republican governor from Alaska, will be McCain's choice as his vice presidential running mate. She is 44 years old, is married to a Native American, runs marathons, is a member of the NRA, has a Down's Syndrome baby (among her 5 children), and is staunchly pro-life and against gay marriage. I've never heard of her before, but her bio is all over the news right now.

Since I like to look at current events from the effect that might occur from a religious angle, I wonder what the leaders of the SBC, who are staunchly anti-female leadership, not just in the church, but in society at large, will think of this? Will the fact that she is pro-life trump the fact that she is a woman? McCain is 72 years old. What if he does not finish his term? Would Southern, Conservative, Baptists support a female president? What if Palin runs for president in 4 or 8 years?

I am sure that we will hear about the sacred/secular divide and that Gov. Palin is not being considered for leadership within the church, so this is a different situation. But, since people like Dr. Dorothy Patterson, the wife of Dr. Paige Patterson, president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and herself a member of the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood has discouraged women from working outside the home, how will this affect Southern Baptist's unending support for the Republican Party? Will they not see a female VP as a bad example for women, encouraging them to work outside the home and not be there for their husbands and children?  How can there not be a proclamation of denunciation from the Patterson's, Dr. Al Mohler, and others who have consistently proclaimed that a woman's place is in the home?

I'm just wondering what consistency on this subject will mean here.  I guess we'll just have to wait and see.  It seems like Governor Palin has overcome a lot and is very well respected. Like I said, I don't know much about her and have no problem with a woman being VP or president, for that matter. The character and ability of a person for this job is a lot more important than their gender, in my opinion. She is a social conservative, so that is a major plus. But, since gender will be the topic of the day and this is an historic moment, I have to wonder what SBC leadership is thinking right now regarding the gender issue. Will they support this move, stay silent, or speak against it? What do you think?

Comments

[Big Daddy Weave]

What's her religious background? I haven't seen that info yet.

I know Richard Land was pushing Palin. But, Land is not always aligned with the more extreme anti-female elements of your Convention. He's much more evangelical and Catholic-friendly than the Pattersons of the SBC.

[Alan Cross]

If Richard Land is behind her, then there is a very good chance that SBC leadership are focusing more on the political issues than her gender. That is a good thing, in my opinion.

Her religion is Protestant Christian of the non-denominational flavor, I hear.

I just watched her acceptance speech. She is incredible. I was ambivalent toward McCain before, but this is a very favorable choice. Her story is amazing.

[Kevin]

I remember seeing her on TV a few months ago when I was there in the States. I was very impressed and hoped she'd get chosen.

[Big Daddy Weave]

Church on the Rock in Wasilla, AK

That's what I just saw on a few blogs. Though that hasn't been mentioned by any big media outlets.

[David Phillips]

The ethics of pragmatism will dictate that she will be supported by Patterson, et. al.

[David Rogers]

I don't remember hearing a whole lot of opposition to Elizabeth Dole's candidacy, based on her gender, a few years back. But maybe there was some. I don't know for sure.

[David Rogers]

I don't remember hearing a whole lot of opposition to Elizabeth Dole's candidacy, based on her gender, a few years back. But maybe there was some. I don't know for sure.

[Lisa Rose]

I am amazed. All I can say is this will show whether our SBC folks are consistent in what they believe....
I am amazed at the good strategy of McCain. Now I am in a dilemma!! (-;

[badbeta]

Gov. Palin is known as an outspoken evangelical Christian, an active member of Church on the Rock in Wasilla, AK. Gov. Palin is pro-life, has a dynamic personality, is a persuasive speaker, and is quite a beautiful woman who was featured on the cover of Vogue magazine with the headline America's Hottest Governor

[Big Daddy Weave]

There's some dispute as to whether she actually attends Church on the Rock.

However, it has been verified that Palin grew up AoG at Wasilla Assembly of God. When in Juneau performing her role as Governor, Palin attends Juneau Christian Center which is a Pentecostal congregation.

I've documented that with links and more information over at my blog titled

The Faith of America's Hottest VP Candidate

http://www.thebigdaddyweave.com

The question people are asking is: would this make Palin the first Pentecostal on a major party Presidential ticket?

[Les Puryear]

I will gladly vote for Sarah Palin for President in 2012 or 2016. No problem.

[Bart Barber]

There is always the possibility that, rather than not being consistent with their beliefs, some of the SBC's leaders are merely not being consistent with the caricatures that others have made of them.

[Alan Cross]

Caricature? Bart, that is why I linked to Dorothy Patterson's own words on the subject. I am not saying that they would necessarily be against Sarah Palin's candidacy, I am just saying that from everything that I have heard from the BI crowd on this issue (their words, not mine or anyone's interpretation), they believe that a woman and mother should be at home taking care of her children. I am not even arguing that point here. I am just wondering how that view fits with Sarah Palin's candidacy. It is a valid position worth discussing and applying to a real world scenario instead of just keeping it in the realm of the hypothetical. This would make a good case study, ala the Murphy Brown comment of Dan Quayle in 1992 that evangelicals applauded. Does it apply here and if not, why not?