American democratic form of politics often introduces concepts, ideas, and ideals that the popular world may not be familiar with, and especially in non-mature democracies. With president Ronald Reagan they developed ‘the selling of the president’.

‘The Selling of the President’ 1968 is a non-fiction book written by American author Joe McGinniss and published by Trident Press in October, 1969.

The book describes the marketing of Richard Nixon during the 1968 presidential campaign. It has been described as “a classic of political journalism” and a “classic of campaign reporting that first introduced many readers to the stage-managed world of political theatre”. It was reprinted in 1988 under the title ‘The Selling of the President’.

Such a media role in the marketing and advertising the potential candidate for the American presidency is the real reason for the great expenditure of large amounts of funds needed for any political choice in modern democratic times. Therefore, their concept of political action committees (PACs) is also their model of fund-raising PACs and super-PACs. Our model creates companies like 1MDB.

‘Born again’ president

Then, the US media made famous the idea that Jimmy Carter was a ‘born again’ president. Until then, the idea or ideal of being a ‘born again’ Christian was not made a political issue. It was merely a private and personal faith issue before that expose.

With president Jimmy Carter’s subsequent election, the idea of a ‘born again president’ became a new ideal for American political conservatives as one measure of true value of character because of the qualities exemplified by president Jimmy Carter, and his successes with the Camp David Summit.  

Since then also, every candidate who aspires to become a president begins to claim this status of being a born again or Evangelical Christian. This category of voters is significant in US presidential elections.

While no other human can judge this personal and convictional act of personal faith of another, this reality is affirmed by scriptures and can be experienced by individuals; this writer included. When any such a person makes a conscious choice to accept Jesus as their personal saviour and Lord; something special and spiritual happens in their life and that life is never the same after this point of spiritual transformation.

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Theologically, evangelical Christians believe that at this point of spiritual transformation, the person is ‘born again’ by both personal choice and Grace of God through the Holy Spirit. At this point of choice-making, the Holy Spirit, or, the third person of the traditional Christian Trinity of Christian faith intervenes into the spirit and soul of the new believer and thereby cleanses him ‘inside out’ because of the works of Jesus on the Cross. Therefore, once is now ‘born again’.

Any evidence of such new faith is usually demonstrated by the quality and character of the person who claims to be ‘born again’. From all the statements and pronouncements made by US presidential candidate Donald Trump, I simply conclude that there is no obvious evidence of such transformation effects of his ‘born again character’, even if we only use Jimmy Carter as the comparative benchmark.

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The Bible clearly declares that we can all judge a tree by its fruits. In Donald Trump’s case the simple fact of his rather ‘colourful life’ with three marriages, and its after-effects such choice-making make them obvious to me. My response: it is his character, stupid.

Leadership character

The battle in American politics today in the choice of presidential candidates is not one between conservative versus liberal values per se but rather one between good and communal societal values versus values and rights of so-called individual freedoms, but as to who should be given the opportunity to lead this great country of the world.

Overall, while there appears to be significant ‘anger amongst the American people against the mainstream system and values of the current system’, the leadership issue always rests in the character of the person elected to lead. The abuse of power and all forms of poor governance lead to abuse and corruption in any society.

Both parties seem to have mobilised such pent-up anger against the mainstream and operative values today but, the final choice-making will be defined by the relative character of the potential leader and nothing else. Therefore, my candidate is Bernie Sanders and unfortunately his is an entirely upstream march. He has to become another Martin Luther King, Jr.

Recently, I was one of more than a thousand people who attended a farewell dinner organised by a church committee for their senior pastor. I have never been to any function with more than a 1,000 people other than when we the RMC Old Puteras saluted the flag with Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Ling Liong Sik and Halim Ali.

What impressed me about the event was the quality and mix of people who attended; it was as if the church in Malaysia was almost completely present. However, conspicuously missing from the dinner were Catholics and my own Mar Thoma Community representatives.

The keynote speaker was Dr Ravi Zachariah from the US and, as he remarked, Brother Daniel Ho has had such an impeccable character and life testimony that his ministry has impacted so many people who have come voluntarily to support this official retirement at the age of 65.

Bro Daniel Ho, good soldiers never retire they only fade away in good and in the Lord’s time.  May your non-formal ministry be as great as the earlier one.