CHESAPEAKE
Prayer stopped for a few moments Sunday at 11 churches in Chesapeake and Portsmouth as pastors allowed time for a little bit of politicking between hymns of joy and sermons of salvation.
State Del. Lionell Spruill Sr. came to visit, bringing along Democratic candidate for governor Creigh Deeds and envelopes of tickets to one of the hottest political events in Hampton Roads this season.
Conducting what has become a tradition for Democrats running for high statewide posts, Spruill led Deeds on a five-hour whirlwind tour of Sunday services, with staff members and reporters in tow. At each stop, Deeds, a state senator from Bath County, had a chance to say a few words and to stand with Spruill, who enjoys strong support among the black church community in Hampton Roads.
Spruill has done similar tours with U.S. Sens. Jim Webb and Mark Warner during their campaigns, as well as with Gov. Timothy M. Kaine.
Timing is everything, Spruill said, adding that you can never forget that these are church services.
" As long as I come in before they're preaching, they just stop for us," he said.
Deeds acknowledged he was intruding.
"I'm humbled to be on the pulpit," he told the congregation at St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church in Portsmouth. "I know Sunday morning is not a time for politics. It's a time for worship."
He talked briefly about his agenda if he wins the Nov. 3 election but elicited the strongest reaction when describing how he was labeled a "nobody from nowhere" by a newspaper columnist after he was defeated in the 2005 race for attorney general.
"The implications of that sentence are pretty frightening," he said. "If a state senator, even a state senator from Bath County, who grew up in a trailer with not much of anything, is a nobody from nowhere, then there's a whole lot of nobodies and there's a whole lot of nowheres. Virginia needs a governor that is going to work for everybody."
He was applauded at several churches.
Spruill came bearing gifts of his own, giving each pastor one or more envelopes of tickets to the Deeds campaign rally Tuesday in Norfolk that features President Barack Obama.
Deeds, who trails Republican candidate Bob McDonnell in voter opinion polls, reminded his audiences that Obama's victory in Virginia a year ago was due to a 74 percent turnout.
"I need your help," he said.
Several of the ministers, all Baptists, praised Spruill and gently ribbed him about being a Methodist but avoided any outright endorsement of Deeds.
Some, such as the Rev. Kim Brown of Mount Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church in Chesapeake, urged their congregations to get involved in the election.
"I want you to understand that not voting is a sin," Brown told more than 1,000 attending his service. "God said give unto Caesar that which is Caesar's.... He's not just talking about taxes. He's talking about participating in government."
At New Galilee Baptist Church in Chesapeake, March Cromwell reminded his fellow parishioners that they have the power to make change.
"We can make history," Cromwell said. "One time we were picking cotton in November. This time we can pick a governor in November."
The Rev. Jake Manley Sr., leader of Bethany Baptist Church in Chesapeake, told Deeds that he would pray for him but added "my prayers will be short unless you're like Mark Warner."
Deeds nodded and smiled. But just to be sure, Manley asked for and received Deeds' personal cell phone number.
Bill Bartel, (757) 446-2398, bill.bartel@pilotonline.com
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ACORN
Sorry Fishead,ACORN is a criminal organization that is slowly dying because of their unlawful tactics and lies.
waste of time
He spent the day talking to voters who are as likely to vote for a Republican as Usama bin Laden is to eat a ham sandwich.
no, not a waste of time----
It's called GOTV
Get out the vote
And all those folks in all those churches will be voting on election day
doubtful
Every one of those folks in all of those curches will be voting on election day? Really? This is not a demographic that traditionally votes in large numbers and Deeds is not exactly the inspirational candidate that then-Senator Obama was, and he was only able to convince 64 percent of the electorate to vote.
Even if dems win...Liberals lose
I find it ironic that a democrat would be pandering to Baptist preachers and parishioners in order to get votes. And yes it is pandering...be a good preacher and you get free tickets to see Obama!
But as a liberal doesn't it bother you in the slightest that your candidate for governor would rely on people who probably disagree with many of the things you hold dear. Do you really believe that the baptist church would agree with you on a woman's right to choose? Do you think they would stand with you in support of " don't ask don't tell". And what about gay marriage? Do you think the preachers and parishioners of these churches would stand with you in an effort to approve gay marriage in the Commonwealth?
And since these were reported to be black churches does it concern you that in California it was the black vote going for Prop 8 by 70% and weekly church attendees in general by 84% that helped pass it? So is it ok to pander to groups of people that don't hold your beliefs?
Well?
Hi Gabrielle
No, I don't disagree with you, but think you're right on. I am beginning to realize (it takes some folks longer than others)that politics is very dirty business!
Separation of Church and state????
Aren't the democrats the ones that approve all the anti-religious legislation? Now this fellow is running through the churches like a Penecostal preacher on a hot Sunday afternoon.
Can ODU, NSU and Black churches campaign for democrats?
It was just reported that President Obama will campaign for Mr. Deeds at ODU tomorrow and free tickets can be picked up at ODU and NSU. How can state public institutions of higher learning participate in partisan political events? Both of these schools also have private foundations that are tax exempt. I do not want my tax dollars being used to support either a democrat or republican candidate. It is just so deceitful for democrats to campaign out in the open at black churches and now at our public universities without any shame or concern with the law. One only wonders how many voters are turned off by this hypocrisy.
incorrect
No they will not. Just a silly statement meant to steer people away from the facts. Besides, Obama is not drafting the legislation, he has only offered not to VETO it. You could not describe the legislation if your tried. You would have to actually read both. Your just following blindly and expext others to follow you into the pit.
"Just remember, if you do get sick worrying about President Obama, Your insurance company will not cover it. They will call it A preexisting comdition."
Oh, Mercy Me!
Please tell me that isn't a Bible in Deed's left hand? I think I'm gonna hurl and ruin my keyboard. Come on guys, can't you be more "righteous" and keep your political shenanigans out of churches, for "God's" sake?
Oh Mercy Me is right Kate!
Here we are again Kate, agreeing with each other.
Politics do not belong in the pulpit, regardless of the party of the politician. I do not care what religion or no religion a politician adheres to, and his or her religious affiliation or non affiliation should not be an issue.
Now with that said, and Kate you will probably disagree with me here, I do find Deeds using these churches for political gain to be more than a bit hypocritical after all of his attacking of McDonnell on his religious values.
Acorn is Vital for Deeds Victory
I do not know if Deeds supports or doesn’t support Acorn but I feel that he should and that it will get his numbers over the Republican.
Acorn plays a very important and Patriotic role. One could argue perhaps equally as heroic and patriotic as today’s soldier sitting in Iraq/Afghanistan who by the way are enjoying free health care. Ironically this Government run Universal free health care for the Military isn’t opposed by Republicans A video, possibly, showed where there might be a few, past, examples of some possible inappropriateness by a couple of Acorn employees (keep in mind there are millions of acorn employee’s) but the video may not or maybe doctored but regardless I agree with Obama that if it is true, Acorn shouldn’t suffer but in fairness someone should counsel the employee’s involved. Public funds should not be decreased to Acorn but there should be a massive increase of public money instead. In today’s economy and unemployment, no one can argue that it would be beneficial for everyone if Acorn added millions of more employee’s from the minority community and paid them a fair salary with fair benefits. Acorn does the heavy lifting by getting out the vo
Are these two "candidates" kidding?
Does anyone else NOT see the irony in this pathetic display of pandering???
Let's see, we've got two members of the party in this country that wish to destroy every last vestige of morality and Christianity in this country campaigning at churches. I'd have attempted to remove them had they shown up at my church!
I agree with the other posts that their tax-exempt status should be investigated. Where's the ACLU when there is a clear cross over the line of separation of church and state? Yeah, I know, the ACLU doesn't understand much about the statute, but this is far more egregious than Chesapeake opening Council meetings with an invocation.
The Second American Revolution is coming in this country people! You can count on that.
Deeds should be appointed without an election
Obama and the Democrats have a super majority for a reason, because they represent the views of the people. Congress writes laws. The should write a law providing that all elected Officals must represent the interest of the people as required by the Consitituion. For obvious reasons, Republicans currently serving would be eliminated from their positions. Reid would appoint Dems in the Senate, Pelosi in the House. The the will of the people, Obama's agenda would sail through without the obstruction of the Republicans. Obama doesn't need a law to close down Fox News which is obstructing the agenda the people voted for because the Feds (FCC) control the media licenses without Congressional votes. It would take great Courage to make this happen but with Obama, we know that is one thing that he doesn't lack and thats Courage.
Super majority...LOL!!!!!
Let me ask you. If the democrats have a super majority why is there not a health care bill signed by Obama yet? Why even have a discussion about republicans since assuming a " super majority " they are no longer relevant. What about dont ask dont tell. Why isnt it gone? After all you have a " super majority ". Heck why dont you just push through a single payor heath system. Whats to stop you? Why fight Fox News so hard? Remember the republicans are no longer relevant. Right?
Here is your problem. There is a difference between a liberal and a democrat. Glenn Nye for example if he were to run in Pelosi's district would be considered a far right winger. Same with Webb and Warner.
It is true the DEMOCRATS have a super majority. But the LIBERALS are still a minority. You have to pander to the blue dogs who know if they tilt too far left will be gone in 2010 or 2012. So basically you gained the " super majority " by tilting center right. You simply cannot win if you go far left.
Sorry.
Don't Get Sick
This site is beginning to look like Faux News. The only difference is Rush,Beck,Hannity and other are making millions, but the ones on this site are just running their blood pressure up over Obama being President. Just remember, if you do get sick worrying about President Obama, Your insurance company will not cover it. They will call it A preexisting comdition.
While I am at it...a question....
I am going to assume the poster here is a liberal. If not my apologies. But again assuming he or she is I have a question about this article and campaign tactics.
Do you as a liberal democrat have any heart burn with the fact that your party relies so heavy on the influence of Baptist preachers and the congregations who follow them for votes? It is clear that the baptist platform goes against many of the things you hold dear. Do you believe the church goers and preachers at these churches would approve of abortion? How about gay marriage? And clearly you can throw the separation of church and state out the window.
But lets go back for a minute to gay marriage. Do you know what the Baptist stance is on it? And since it was already reported that these churches were predominately black does it bother you that the black vote pushed prop 8 in California to victory. And these same people that you as a liberal so heavily rely on today would reject gay marriage soundly if given the chance here in Virginia.
How does it feel to have to sacrifice your beliefs to get someone elected who probably does not hold your beliefs anymore than I do?
Faux News...oh thats a good one...LOL!!!!
Wow! Thats original! Faux News....Fox news...I get it! LOL!!! Let me ask you a question. Why is it necessary to name call when discussing something you disagree with. Fox News is simply one of many cable news channels people can choose from. If you disagree with its approach you simply turn the channel. Why feel threatened by them? Are they hitting a little too close to home?
So which of Alinskys rules are used for Fox News. Is it
"Ridicule is man's most potent weapon. It is almost impossible to counteract ridicule. Also it infuriates the opposition, which then reacts to your advantage."
or perhaps
"Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it."
LOL
Mapatty, don't give yourself that much credit. No one cares that much about what you think. You see ultra feminist liberal women are not worth getting worked up over.
I'm Loving It
I love those thumbs down. My message is getting across.