TIM CAHILL GOING THE DISTANCE

“But Jesus said to him, ‘No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’” (Luke 9:62)

I want to be careful in writing about politics. Back when I began my original blog on AOL in 2006, I’d read an article in Leadership Journal which stated that a minister should NOT write about politics on his blog. I have written about politics on my blog a FEW times, but not very often. My somewhat more liberal friend, The Rev. Mindi Welton-Mitchell who along with her husband and family now lives in Oklahoma recently wrote a powerful piece on HER blog indicating that it’s not liberals or conservatives, Republicans or Democrats, or other politicians we need. Rather, we need to take seriously what the Bible says about God’s love and forgiveness, and our responsibility for our fellow human beings. She may be theologically kind of liberal, but she’s CORRECT about that. And, I will add that when I was pastoring, I did not allow voter registration drives and other “politicking” at our church’s activities. Now, I DO tend to be a “civics geek” in my private life, but I try to keep my boundaries in that area. Thus, I hope you’ll consider this a disclaimer and something to help you get into the proper perspective as I write my PERSONAL thoughts about the current Massachusetts Governor’s race, and please feel free to agree or disagree with me.

My son Jon and I watched the last part of the Governor’s debate that was on television a few nights ago. Jon’s observation was correct when he commented that none of the candidates for Governor are what you’d call “great” or “ideal” to be Governor of Massachusetts. He somewhat lamented that we will have to settle for a “lesser of evils” again. We agreed that current Governor Deval Patrick absolutely did the best in the debate, although we have totally ruled out voting for him. And, we agreed that Republican Charlie Baker did the worst. We also scored Green-Rainbow candidate Dr. Jill Stein in second place, and Independent Tim Cahill in third.

I don’t know who Jon will ultimately vote for, but despite his flaws, I plan to vote for Tim Cahill. Tim Cahill is dead wrong on gambling casinos, but there’s something about Tim Cahill that strongly connects with me and that I admire. I guess I’m a Don Quixote. The guy who sets out on an emotional and “impossible” quest- he will almost always be a hero to me! It should then come as no surprise that my favorite film is “Field of Dreams”. I’ve seen it a number of times, but there are still scenes in that film that move me to tears. I’m SO much like that Ray Kansella character in the film!

You know what? Anybody can do the SAFE and “sensible” thing. It takes a man or woman with GUTS to step out there for a cause they believe in- even when society is going to rip them apart. I don’t agree with much that Green-Rainbow candidate Dr. Stein stands for, but BOY is she brave and courageous. I don’t now what her specialist is as a physician, but THERE’S a woman I’d want to have as my doctor! And, Tim Cahill? He’s been slammed in the media...mainly by my fellow Republicans as a good old Beacon Hill boy who doesn’t care about the real people of Massachusetts. I think that’s SO unfair. Tim Cahill had it made in many ways. He could have been reelected as State Treasurer. He could have stayed in the Democratic party and “played ball”. He MIGHT have been a serious Democratic candidate for Governor in a few years. He could have built alliances that would have insured his long-term success.

Instead, he did what many would consider a very foolish and stupid thing: He left the Democratic party and he is running for Governor as an Independent. Both sides are slinging mud at him, although the majority of the mud is from Republicans. Cahill’s got a great Lt. Governor candidate as his running mate, former Republican Paul Loscocco who was a several term State Rep. from Holliston and is a good guy. I’ve got a friend who is a full-time state worker who plans to vote for Tim Cahill because he is a “regular guy” and that’s how he strikes me. He is NOT the greatest debater. He is not as charismatic as a John F. Kennedy. He is not as bright as a William F. Buckley. But he’s got GUTS. To steal and paraphrase a line from the old 1939 film, “What has he got that other pols don’t got? COURAGE!!”

I was sad to learn today that two of Cahill’s TOP campaign leaders just QUIT because Cahill’s standing in the polls is mediocre. These were campaign manager Adam Meldrum and senior strategist John Weaver. To use one of my late father’s terms, “What a couple of beauts!”. I have no respect for lack of loyalty. It’s so human to be with a winner and to “dis” a loser. Look at Jesus. No, Tim Cahill’s no Jesus, but I think of the fact that the same crowd that was hailing Jesus as Messiah on Palm Sunday was calling for his execution on Good Friday morning.
When you believe in somebody, you stick with him or her! You stick with them when things are up and when things are down! You don’t BAIL when the going gets tough!

This has got to be very disappointing for Tim Cahill, but here is his quote regarding today’s bad news:
"We move forward, and it's not the consultants or the pollsters or the pundits that are going to decide this race, but the people of Massachusetts, and I've still got a great message that's resonating, ... I have no intention of quitting or leaving; I have every intention of winning."

You have to make up your own mind about the voting. Honestly, I have no idea how Jon will vote or how my wife or Rachel will vote. Maybe each of us will pick a different one of the four candidates! That’s a personal decision. But I wanted to let you know I’m voting for Tim Cahill and that I really admire the guy!