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The outspoken Rev. Franklin Graham claimed today that the “majority of Christians” did not vote.
“We know that from of the statistics that I’ve heard that the majority of Christians in this country just did not vote for whatever reason,” he told the Christian Broadcasting Network’s David Brody. “The vast majority of evangelicals did not go to the polls.” He added, “God is in control, and if Christians are upset, they need to be upset at themselves. We need to do a better job of getting our people- the church to vote. Now, I’m not trying to tell you how to vote, you can vote, but vote, my goodness, and vote for candidates that stand for Biblical values.”
But Graham’s assertion -- and implication that had white Christian evangelicals just showed up in bigger numbers, President Obama would have lost -- is off base.
In fact, white evangelicals/born-again Christians made up the same percentage of the electorate as they did in 2008 – 26%. They voted for Mitt Romney, a devout Mormon, by a wider margin than they did for Sen. John McCain four years ago.
And, they made up a larger share of the electorate in 2012 than in 2004, when the Christian Right supposedly fueled George W. Bush’s reelection. They also voted for Romney with the exact same margin as for Bush in 2004, 78%-21%.
Not to mention, Obama won the 48 percent of the electorate that was Christian and not Protestant or Mormon -- 50%-48% among Catholics (25% of the electorate) and 50%-49% of "Other Christians" (23% of the electorate).
In Ohio, they were 1 point more of the electorate than 2008; in Colorado, 4 points higher; in Iowa, up 7 points; in Nevada, up 2.
White evangelical voters in select swing states
CO: 25%, 76-22 Romney; 2008: 21%, 76-23 McCain
FL: 24%, 79-21 Romney; 2008: 24%, 77-21 McCain
IA: 38%, 64-35 Romney; 2008: 31%, 65-33 McCain
NV: 18%, 69-28 Romney; 2008: 16%, 72-27 McCain
OH: 31%, 69-30 Romney; 2008: 30%, 71-27 McCain
They did decline as a share of the electorate in North Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin. But the drops in states like North Carolina (Graham’s home state) and Virginia likely have less to do with apathy and more to do with demographic changes – transplants in North Carolina’s Research Triangle and growth in the Washington, D.C., suburbs of Northern Virginia, for example.
The fact is, Virginia and North Carolina are looking less and less like the Old South and more and more like Mid-Atlantic states.
White evangelical voters in the South (where exit polls are available)
MS: 50%, 95-5 Romney; 2008: 46%, 94-6 McCain
AL: 47% , 90-10 Romney; 2008: 47%, 92-8 McCain
NC: 35%, 79-20 Romney; 2008: 44%, 74-25 McCain
VA: 23%, 83-17 Romney; 2008: 28%, 79-20 McCain
Are there Christian evangelicals who did not vote? Certainly. But that’s true every year and of every demographic group.
Evangelicals make up 26 percent of adults in the country, according to a major 2008 Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life survey. They matched that this election.
The U.S. Census says there are more than 311 million people in the United States. If evangelical adults are 26 percent of them, then there would be 80 million potential voters.
So far, 123 million votes have been counted in this election – and that number will get higher by the millions as votes continue to be counted like in 2008. Evangelicals made up 26 percent of them, therefore, about 32 million evangelicals voted – less than half of their population.
But there’s a need for context here: (1) They make up just 14 percent of the registered-voter base in the NBC/Wall Street Journal poll. They outpaced that percentage in the presidential election, (2) This is true every other demographic group in the country as well.
Latinos, for example, according to the U.S. Census, are nearly 17 percent of the country, but only made up 10 percent of the 2012 electorate. They make up just 8 to 9 percent of the registered-voter base of the NBC/WSJ poll.
That would mean just 12 million of the 52 million adult Hispanics voted.
If this was Australia, and the U.S. had compulsory voting, Graham’s argument that evangelicals would have tipped the balance would not hold up very well.
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yeah leroy an ignorant part of America loves a serial rapist, lying former president and his lesbian "wife".
LARRY, Kinda sore about that thrashing your crowd took last week, huh???
Hey, you keep ranting if it makes you feel better. I understand, you need to work out all that anger and hatred. LOL
HILLARY 2016!!!
"my crowd"? I made it clear that Romney was a liberal whom I normally could never vote for; but the alternative of the Stalinist Obama forced me to vote for the lesser evil.
Republicans remain far too liberal for my liking.
That's funny Larry, I feel the same way about Obama, that he is far too conservative for my liking, but Romney was downright scary. Umm, Hillary a lesbian? I must have missed something. And how does receiving one consensual blowjob make a man a "serial rapist?"
Clinton raped at least 6 women
Juanita Broaddrick
Eileen Wellstone
Elizabeth Ward
Several college students who asked to remain anonymous but did report Clinton to the police
sexually assaulted by Clinton
Paula Jones
Kathleen Willey
Sandra Allen James
I will have to look into these allegations Larry, kind of odd that he would have been elected with al these women claiming that he raped them, any charges? Never mind, I'll research it. How about the Hillary being a lesbian claim?
Larry Robinson-1323081
And Newt GINGRICH.. Marriage is between a man and a woman.. then another woman, then another woman?
clinton didn't RAPE anyone you claude.
Frankie Graham is nuttier than his old man, and by his comments shows he is a true evangelical teabagger.
Praise God for those of us you folks think are nutty. We will spend eternity in the presents of Jesus Christ God of all Creation.
"Presence" Debora. "Presents" are what you give at Christmas time.
Why act like sheep ?? These people do what they are told mainly in the south, churches look dumb being politically involved, because everyone knows politicians do not tell the truth. So if the church is telling you how to vote they are in on the scheme to not tell the truth and be for the wealthy like always.....
Could be why only 17% of people that go to church on a regular basis believe everything the churches say !!!!
I did see videos of a number of black pastors who told their congregation NOT to vote for Obama because they believed that Obama was making fools of them all. They were right and yet so many chose to believe him anyway.
Belief is not a choice Debora. Whether or not you believe something depends entirely on whether or not you are convinced by the evidence that something is or is not so.
The grahams have more loyalty to race than to God. Their brand of Christianity reminds me of all that old southern racist crap that people in that part of the country have preached for over 100 years. If you take everything he stands for, wrap it in a white sheet and throw a cross around it what do you have?
President Obama is a married Christian and these people removed their repulsion to Mormonism to vote for a lying, flip-flopping ultra rich white candidate to restore the universe to the way they thought it should be. It could have been Lucifer himself and they would have voted for him to remove an African American family from the White House.
President Obama could have been an ordained Baptist minister and they still would have voted for the white candidate. They showed their true selves in this election in who they aligned themselves with and they are not people of God, they are wolves in sheep clothing. They lost because old racist white people are dying faster than young progressive peoples are being born of "all" colors. That is why they lost and thank "God" for that.
I am pleased that the country voted their conscience and economic interest and put hate and prejudice aside. I think we are growing as a nation and becoming more comfortable with our diversity, slowly but surely.
The grahams have a real good hustle going for them and they have tax exempt status. As you say, they are straight out racists and are the worst possible emissaries of Christ and his ministry that there could ever be.
Theocratic Republican scumbags....every one of them.
LTC Rattus, USA, ret.
No, it is not the fault of Christians that Obama won. Romney is a poopy head. That is why Obama won.
Thank-you Grover...
JD,
How is Mo Romney an, if you will, "bigger poopy head" than Prick Santorum, John McSame, or Newt (many wives) Mr. born again catholic.....that does not believe in divorce?
How was Mo Romney any worse than those "also rans?"
LTC Rattus, USA, ret.
Rightwingers are a DYING minority,get used to losing unless you change your attitudes. If many Righties looked in the mirror they would see a cape and hood. Lose the hate and bigotry and the 19th century mindset. Come back from the "dark side" and into the 21st century. Graham is a Rightwing posterboy for hate,bigotry and greed. He totally goes against the teachings of jesus,his more resemble Satans.
Robme was the worst candidate in the last 100 years.
I haven't been around for 100 years but McCain/Palin was pretty bad. After what Bush did to this country and the world economy, I don't think many people would be a republican by choice. I'm thinking it might be a genetic defect. Chris Christie is acting pretty sane. I'm wondering if he will switch parties. The only reason he might stick with the GOP is that there is too much competition on the democratic side and none on the republican side.
America is a country of GROWING diversity,something Rightwingers are either oblivious too,or refuse to acccept.
@ Eureka do you mean how our country was "founded on a strong work ethnic" on the backs of slaves and indentured servants?
I don't really think people understand Christianity today anymore than we do the republican party, but they both go hand in hand and they both are on the decline. The republicans put party over country and religious zealots like Mr. Graham puts his spookery and witchcraft over ALL ELSE. The problem is, less people are believing this garbage in our modern world, science has come to far to be held up by ancient beliefs. And now he just sounds silly with this proclamation. How the f*ck would he know how many Christians voted or not, is he suddenly now all knowing and all powerful, is he putting himself in the place of god to try and scare more of his flock? Either way, he sounds silly.
Many in the Klan are so called "religious" people of God,that's why they all go to:HELL!! Their religion is one of:HATE and RACISM! Sound familiar Frankilin?
the KKK was started as the "political action" wing of the Democratic Party.....just 2 years ago the Democrats still had a KKK member sitting in the Senate, Senator Robert Byrd.......this is why Martin Luther King, Jr. was a lifelong Republican.
And that racist facet now belongs to the republican party, but you know that, don't you Hope? You are knowingly presenting a false argument, because you are completely dishonest, just like the republican party is.
Just a slight correction ... "Obama won the 48 percent of the electorate that was Christian and not Protestant or Mormon". Mormons should not be referred to as Christians. Just because a group claims they are something, it doesn't mean that it's true.
People like Graham want to take America back to: 1862. A racists utopia.
Graham is just trying to whip up fervor in his money base by making them feel guilty. Organized religion is the biggest con job on the planet.
Pass the plate.
The father/son Graham charade needs to end. Neither on of these supposed Christians think Obama--a black President--deserved to be elected, let alone reelected. They have waged a war of demagoguery against him since his election. They are so hypocritical that in the end they endorsed Romney who they originally criticized as belonging to a cult. Come on folks!!1
So it appears the religous right thinks that all Christians will not vote for a democrat or black or half black-half white guy? You know these righties are painting themselves further into their corner... even the moderates don't know what to do, if they denounce these nuts then they will lose their far right base. Country needs at least 3 parties if the far right wants to push their policies on everyone, let them see how many Americans will come to their new party while there are moderate independent and democratic/liberal parties to chose from. That will be the thing to watch, will the far right/religous right tear off or be thrown out by the moderate right/conservatives? And maybe we need a fourth party for the far left...
BigBear I guess since the Christians are painting themselves into a corner it is a good thing that the New Heaven is going to have a Square home in it for us to be with Jesus for all eternity.
I thank God for the Grahams, they have brought the knowledge of salvation to many many people who will be in heaven for all eternity.
DEBORAH, I find very little that is "Christian" about Graham. All I hear in his message are hatred and resentment. Besides which, I don't want religion being dragged into politics. Despite what those on the Right would have you believe, I am hardly convinced that Jesus is a Republican. Quite the contrary, Jesus cared for the very people that the Right demonizes, the poor, the sick, minorities, gays & lesbians and all those without a voice in our current political structure. Now if Jesus is a greedy vulture capitalist who prizes money and political power above all else then yes, he would fit very nicely into the party of hate, the GOP.
Ozzie Boy, did you want to borrow my hearing aids. Are you honestly trying to say you never heard either of the Grahams say that Jesus loves you and that He died for you? Go back and listen again.
I don't believe that Jesus would have been associated with any political party. Jesus loves everyone, He created everyone. I just don't believe you or anyone else knows or chooses to know that homosexuality is a sin. Jesus died for that sin, so he loves the sinner but not the sin. Jesus didn't create people to be homosexual he created them to be straight or he would not have condemned it. The Bible says if two men are found in bed together they are to be taken out and stoned and their blood is on their own heads. I pray God will forgive you for the ugly remarks you make about Jesus. He owns the cattle on a 1000 hill, the wealth in every mine. He doesn't need or want anything, All that is here belongs to Him because without Him it wouldn't be here.
As for the Republicans, I don't see where they are ever out to hurt the sick, poor or minorities.
Please be respectful of my name. It doesn't have an H on it.
Debora, girl, you just got PWND.
Jesus lived 2,000 years ago. It's possible that God has changed his position and is now for the top 2%. It would be nice if he would take a few minutes out of his busy day to come down here and tell us.
Debora - I'm getting a little confused. Jesus created everybody? He was born 2,000 years ago. Did he create people before he was born. Now remember, God was his father and he had a human mother. That would mean is was only 1/2 God.
Jim Jesus is still alive today. Jesus said if you have seen me you have seen the Father. Jesus is God
Jesus told you all you needed to know in the Bible. Might I propose you read it some time. It is a great love story.
So you agree that homosexuals should be stoned to death Debora?
Somehow, Jim, Jesus was BOTH 100% god and 100% human! Math is definitely not a Christian's strong suit...
The bible may be a GOOD book, but it has NO place in our secular government. GOD or Jesus do not make the laws of the United States of America period.
"Religious institutions that use government power in support of themselves and force their views on persons of other faiths, or of no faith, undermine all our civil rights. Moreover, state support of an established religion tends to make the clergy unresponsive to their own people, and leads to corruption within religion itself. Erecting the 'wall of separation between church and state,' therefore, is absolutely essential in a free society."
Thomas Jefferson
“The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe in blood for centuries.”
― James Madison
Would Jesus vote?
Jesus was definitely a socialist, and a total bleeding heart liberal
Well, I certainly blame most "Christians" and "Evangelicals" for the divisive hatred in this country.
I can only hope that over time they die out and younger generations discover they have no real need or use for their outdated, outmoded, and rather pathetic views.
Just remember, God created man in his own image. And he created apes sort of in his image but with a lot more hair. I'm a little confused about this image. Would he look more like a 7' black basketball player or a 5' white jockey? Do we know for sure if Jesus was black or white? It's really too bad they didn't have digital cameras 2,000 years ago.
Debora - I'm trying to get more information about heavan. I've been married 3 times. What kind of relationship will I have with my ex-wives? Will my dog be there. And what about the dog I lost to cancer a few years ago, will she be there. And what do people do all day. Are there even days? A day here is the time it takes the earth to rotate around one full turn but how would that relate to heavan. It's all so confusing.
African apes like gorillas and chimps are more closely related to humans than they are to Asian apes like Orangutangs. This is a fact of genetics. You cannot group the apes together without including humans, we are a TYPE of ape.
Perhaps it's guys like O'Reilly that cost Romney the election
I remember well the time when Italians were called “Wops or Dagos”., when Jews were called “Kikes”, when Irish were call “Dirty Micks”, when Spanish were called “Spics” and when blacks were always called “:N——ers”. O’Reilly would you really like to go back to that traditional America where WASPs spit on your kind of immigrant and black balled you from the country club? O'Reilly should be ashamed and apologize to all the citizens of this diverse and wonderful country.
Christian values? Love thy neighbor as thy self, I am my brother's keeper, we are all God's children, the meek shall inherit the earth, it is easier for a camel to to pass through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the gates of heaven..... Then the right man won and we Christians did vote correctly.
Yes, Ma'am, you are correct on all points. Likewise you have the hardest job in the United States Army.
I thank you for your service.
V/r,
LTC Rattus, USA, ret.
I am a Christian and have been for as long as I can remember. I am also an admirer of the Rev. Billy Graham. However, for Franklin Graham to say that President Obama would have lost the election if Christians had all voted is far from the truth. I voted for President Obama. I have always sought God's guidance in the major decisions of my life and that include much soul searching on how to cast my ballot each election. God did not send me a message to vote for Romney. In fact, God seems to have little interest in who America's presidential candidates are or how they are chosen. Instead of trying to tell everyone how to vote in an election, Franklin Graham and all of the other evangelical ministers should be occupying their energies to serving the Lord God and saving souls. Jesus told us to "render unto Cesear what was Cesear's and to render unto God that which was God's." The Republicans and their supporters should be concerned about their own lives and salvation...and let everyone else do likewise.
Obama and the Dems bought the election handing out goodies to to all the lazy bastards in the country. Rumor mill has it that Obama, or as he is known in many circles, the" Big Spender "with your money, is going to bail out Twinkies and send a box to all those who voted for him! Watch out: The Fox is guarding the hen house!
Free twinkies too?? Great, I have the munchies from smoking my free Obama weed!
Your an idiot, im a landlord and i need tenants that have Jobs in the U.S. not overseas. although i love, love love paying 3% tax rate that rich people pay, i had to vote obama to keep me out of eviction court.
Boston Blackie,
I enjoy greatly reading your posts.
You should keep posting this message in as many places as you possibly can.
Thank you for the good work.
V/r,
LTC Rattus, USA, ret.
LTC??
Yes, it is their fault. Im a Christian but these Republican Chrisitans nutbags scare the heck out of me and turn alot of people against an otherwise cool religion. VOTE NO ON REPUBLICAN CHRISTIANS
The Republican evangelical right preached to the choir so much that they did not notice their congregation had left.