Tag: honesty

Character or just a character?  Trump versus Hilary

“Trump  is egotistical, bombastic, and brash. He often lacks nuance in his statements.

Sometimes Trump  blurts out mistaken ideas (such as bombing the families of terrorists) that he later must abandon. Trump  insults people. He can be vindictive when people attack him. He has been slow to disown and rebuke the wrongful words and actions of some angry fringe supporters.  Trump  has been married three times and claims to have been unfaithful in his marriages.

These are certainly flaws, but I don’t think they are disqualifying flaws in this election. So says Gruden in Christianity Today.

Grudem concedes that while Trump’s character is problematic, he concludes that the billionaire is “a good candidate with flaws” because “most of the policies he supports are those that will do the most good for the nation.”

Trump isn’t the only candidate whose reputation has taken a hit because of moral transgression

Hillary Clinton has also been rebuffed for her character.  Most recently  for using her own personal email server, rather than the State Department’s, when sending classified emails as Secretary of State.

 Hilary’s actions ultimately resulted  in both FBI and State Department investigations.  Did she show motive to hide?   Hilary’s personal email server was in her basement.

“Our views on the role of government—whether it’s there primarily to protect people or “keep the peace,” plays a significant role in the priority we give character when judging candidates, says Messiah College historian John Fea.

“If you believe that government has the responsibility to promote the common good and general welfare and moral good of the society and it’s ordained by God to do that, then for me, I would probably want someone with character and is interested in those questions at least,” he said.

Fea joined Morgan Lee and guest host Amy Jackson to discuss how Americans have historically voted on character in previous elections, how the mass media has changed the country’s understanding of a candidate’s moral failures, and when, if ever, the ends justify the means.