Spiritual Bonds Unite Emerson & Cleaver

TIES THAT BIND

POLITICO reports a Washington, D.C. prayer and Bible study group has helped forge a spiritual bond between Kansas City Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver and Southeast Missouri Republican Rep. Jo Ann Emerson.

The bond has become so tight, reports Alex Isenstadt, that Cleaver refused an overture from a Missouri Democrat who was seeking his support in a prospective campaign against Emerson.

The Politico piece examines how "C Street" bonds sometimes trump partisan considerations.

Emerson is being challenged by Democratic candidate Tommy Sowers, a U.S. Special Forces officer .

Evangelical Group Wants "Equitable Process" For Illegals

AG SUPER WOOD REJECTS AMNESTY CHARGE

Conservative Christian leaders nationwide are urging the Congress for immigration reform but they're being accused of asking for amnesty for people here illegally.

The National Association of Evangelicals -- which includes Springfield based Assemblies of God -- has passed a resolution pushing lawmakers to approve reforms that respect the dignity of undocumented immigrants.

But Superintendent George Wood rejects the claim the the group's resolution endorses amnesty.

The resolution includes the statement encouraging Congress to establish a sound, equitable process toward earned legal status for currently undocumented immigrants, who desire to embrace the responsibilities and privileges that accompany citizenship."

WATCH Superintendent Wood's Response to Critics HERE

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Romney Speech Gets Rave Reviews

MSNBC's Chris Matthews says if Mitt Romney wins the presidency, it will have started with this speech.

"Magnificent," said MSNBC political analyst Pat Buchanan. "It moved me as it went on."

"He hit this thing out of the park," said MSNBC's Joe Scarborough.

The main points in Romney's speech:

• As president, he said he would serve "no one religion, no one group, no one cause."
• He said calls for him to explain and justify his faith go against what the Founders intended.
• He said he shares "the moral convictions" with Americans of all faiths, but pledged to "live by his Mormon faith," even if it costs him the presidency.
• "I do not define my candidacy by my religion. A person should not be elected because of his faith, nor should he be rejected because of his faith," Romney said.
• "Let me assure you that no authorities of my church, or of any other church for that matter, will ever exert influence on presidential decision," he said.
• Romney steered clear of getting specific on the differences between his faith and traditional Christians, saying "each religion has its own unique doctrines and history. ... Religious tolerance would be a shallow principle indeed if it were reserved only for faiths with which we agree."

Faith & Politics: The Trask Interview

Here's a large portion of my extensive interview with former Assemblies of God Superintendent Rev. Thomas Trask on politics, faith and Election 2008.

You can watch more on why Trask would have difficulty supporting Romney and why faith is more relevant than ever in the coming presidential election.

Watch it all HERE.

What does Trask think about the other frontrunners for President?

On Rudy Giuliani . . . "I like the man, I think he has got credibility but there are some issues I can't support with him."

On Hillary Clinton . . . "I want to reserve judgement there. I think the church would have a problem supporting (her), in fact I'm sure of that."

On Barack Obama . . . "I think there's too much yet to be discovered to make a judgement call there."