Will 'garbage' Trump supporters turn out in the 2024 election, or does a new Iowa poll point to massive momentum for Harris?
Christians know a sovereign God is ultimately in control of our world and will be glorified despite any earthly affliction we may suffer.
Perspective
Gaffes are common in politics and, particularly, in presidential elections.
Who can forget Hillary Clinton’s “deplorable” comments about Donald Trump voters in 2016, or John Kerry who said in 2004: “I actually did vote for the $87 billion (bill), before I voted against it.”
In 1972, Democratic candidate George McGovern proclaimed his support of running mate Tom Eagleton shortly before dropping him from the ticket. For those too young to remember, McGovern said: “I am one thousand percent for Tom Eagleton and I have no intention of dropping him from the ticket.”
How about during the first presidential debate in 1976 when President Gerald Ford mistakenly said that Poland was free of Soviet domination when everyone knew it wasn’t?
Last week, Americans were treated to a doozy when President Joe Biden called those who support former President Donald Trump “garbage” during an online interview. Biden said: “The only garbage I see floating out there are his supporters.”
Yes, a sitting U.S. President publicly “trashed” approximately one-half of the entire country that he swore an oath to represent. Pretty amazing if you think about it.
The Polls
In 2024, polls surrounding the race for U.S. President appear to be more of an art than a science.
While many major pollsters have had Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of former President Trump for months, other lesser-known pollsters – which by the way happened to be those most accurate in the 2020 election – have Trump winning.
According to the 2020 election results, top news agencies and pollsters are toward the bottom in accuracy and credibility – whereas AtlasIntel, a relatively small and little-known pollster – was the most accurate, along with Rasmussen and Emerson College. Quinnipiac University, CNN, The Los Angeles Times, ABC News, and the New York Times, were among the least accurate.
The obvious question is why this is happening. Some conservative pundits claim pollsters are intentionally flooding the news cycle and social media with slanted or less-than-accurate polls.
New Iowa Poll
And just like that comes a Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll released recently that shows Vice President Harris leading former President Trump 47% to 44% among likely voters just days before a high-stakes election that appears deadlocked in key battleground states.
“It’s hard for anybody to say they saw this coming,” pollster J. Ann Selzer, president of Selzer & Co., was quoted in the Des Moines Register. “She has clearly leaped into a leading position.”
For sure!
A September Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll had Trump with a 4-point lead over Harris and a June poll had Trump with a whopping 18-point lead over Democratic President Joe Biden, who was the presumed nominee at the time. Trump won Iowa 52.1% to Biden’s 44.9% in 2020, and beat Hillary Clinton by a margin of 9.41% in 2016.
Questionable Sampling
The Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll says top voter concerns are safeguarding democracy and abortion. It is important to note the poll was a small sampling of 656 likely voters – not registered voters – conducted by phone between Sept. 8-11.
According to the AtlasIntel poll, voters believe the five greatest challenges for the United States are: Inflation/cost of living, U.S. economy/job market, immigration, challenges to reproductive rights, and safeguarding democracy.
It just doesn’t add up. But neither has this entire presidential election cycle.
It would seem that if safeguarding democracy was truly an election issue over the economy and inflation, Trump should win in a landslide because there was nothing “democratic” about the way the Democrats ousted sitting President Biden and coronated Kamala Harris as the nominee of the party.
Christians and Political Engagement
Today’s political landscape witnesses a spectrum of approaches among Christians, reflecting their diverse perspectives. Some believers consider elections as crucial events that can significantly affect their lives and communities. In contrast, others adopt a more detached stance, prioritizing their spiritual allegiance over political involvement.
For those who engage deeply in politics, there lies a potential danger of undermining their Christian integrity and witness. Described as the “salt of the earth” by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, Christians are urged to maintain a moral standard. However, an intense focus on political issues can dilute that mission.
On the flip side, a segment of the Christian community opts to disengage from political matters, often citing a commitment to heavenly priorities. Nevertheless, their earthly presence comes with responsibilities. The teachings from James 3:14-17 highlight the importance of believers making a constructive impact in their surroundings.
Christ’s followers are encouraged to advocate for the health and prosperity of their local communities. In Jeremiah 29:4-7, believers are urged to pray for the well-being of their cities, even amidst challenging circumstances. The Bible emphasizes dual citizenship, which is both earthly and heavenly.
According to 1 Peter 4:10, believers are called to utilize their unique talents for God’s glory and the enrichment of others. This commitment to fostering human flourishing is echoed in Psalm 92:6-7 and Psalm 92:12-14.
A pressing question arises for Christians: which worldview should shape political discourse – a biblical perspective or a secular one? This debate encompasses vital issues, including the sanctity of life and the value of free expression.
Divine Sovereignty and the Glory of God
The American spirit and subsequent way of life have never been under assault from leftists and socialists as it is today. The question to be answered is how Christians and the American electorate will respond when presented with the continued threat of radical transformation of their beloved country.
Let’s be honest. There was a time when you could be a Democrat and not compromise your soul. However, now many have come to the realization that today’s Democratic Party appears to be run increasingly by Marxists, leftists, and socialists hellbent on changing the social order and implementing a radical reformation of our country. If we continue to elect these people to our highest offices we will ultimately pay an unspeakable price.
Amidst the recognition that all leaders have their flaws, Christians are reminded of God's overarching sovereignty. Scripture passages such as 1 Peter 2:13-17 and Romans 13:1-2 encourage believers to respect their governing authorities, understanding that these figures have been placed in power by God, regardless of their imperfections. By promoting peace and preparing others for God's kingdom, Christians can honor Him through their actions. While they celebrate the freedoms afforded by earthly governance, they also treasure the eternal liberation that only God can provide.
In the end, we know God is ultimately in control of our world and will be glorified despite any earthly affliction we may suffer.
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