Late yesterday, Sanjay Talwani revised and extended his rather uncritical reporting from Saturday concerning David Barton’s appearance at the Montana Governor’s Prayer Breakfast. Citing John Fea and me, Talwani addressed the obvious historical problems in the speech but also addressed the issue of partisanship at what is supposed to be a non-partisan event.
It is hard to imagine a more partisan figure than Barton. His book Setting the Record Straight: History in Black and White slams the current Democratic party and lauds the GOP because of the role each party played in the Civil War era and beyond. In his book and this video, however, he fails to address the damage done by Goldwater’s lack of support for the Civil Rights Act and the subsequent “southern strategy” used by the GOP.
More recently, Barton’s widely distributed and redundantly titled article America’s Most Biblically Hostile U.S. President about President Obama screams the opposite of bi-partisanship and bridge building.
8 thoughts on “David Barton's Montana Prayer Breakfast Appearance Questioned in Helena Independent Record”
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He said political partisanship has arisen in the past, as in 2008 when the guest speaker came from Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, and then-Gov. Brian Schweitzer gave a highly partisan speech.
Schweitzer did not attend the final breakfasts during his time in office and the event briefly dropped the word “governor’s” from its title.
This year, Gov. Steve Bullock was invited to the event and organizers thought he would attend. But there was an apparent misunderstanding and Bullock notified organizers he would not attend — but only after programs were printed listing him as a speaker.
Bullock had a family gathering previously scheduled during the Legislature’s midsession break, both Mendenhall and a Bullock spokeswoman said.
Bullock sent a letter to be read at the breakfast, but Mendenhall said it only reached him the night before the breakfast. The letter discusses Bullock’s own family and faith, and also cites Scripture in an argument supporting Medicaid expansion.
Very balanced reporting on both goose and gander.
I just went to Barton’s article “America’s Most Biblically Hostile U.S. President,” read the article and then a number if the footnotes. Amazing how he has done the “pick and choose” thing in what he cites from these sources–he mentions individual details that seem to support his position, but neglects to give the broader picture which is invariably more balanced and does not necessarily support what he is saying. I guess that should be no surprise. It’s as though the Barton camp is bound and determined that this IS “a Christian nation” and things Obama has done to promote a climate of freedom for all citizens, Barton takes as a personal affront to Christians. Perhaps he should try on someone else’s shoes for a change before he starts in condemning people. I personally greatly admire Obama, for his individually open Christian testimony (http://santitafarella.wordpress.com/2008/06/25/the-text-of-barack-obamas-speech-on-religion-june-25-08/) as well as his support of and advocacy for those of different faiths, persuasions, and orientations. He personifies what this country is about–the “land of the free.” We should all be proud.
I just went to Barton’s article “America’s Most Biblically Hostile U.S. President,” read the article and then a number if the footnotes. Amazing how he has done the “pick and choose” thing in what he cites from these sources–he mentions individual details that seem to support his position, but neglects to give the broader picture which is invariably more balanced and does not necessarily support what he is saying. I guess that should be no surprise. It’s as though the Barton camp is bound and determined that this IS “a Christian nation” and things Obama has done to promote a climate of freedom for all citizens, Barton takes as a personal affront to Christians. Perhaps he should try on someone else’s shoes for a change before he starts in condemning people. I personally greatly admire Obama, for his individually open Christian testimony (http://santitafarella.wordpress.com/2008/06/25/the-text-of-barack-obamas-speech-on-religion-june-25-08/) as well as his support of and advocacy for those of different faiths, persuasions, and orientations. He personifies what this country is about–the “land of the free.” We should all be proud.
He said political partisanship has arisen in the past, as in 2008 when the guest speaker came from Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, and then-Gov. Brian Schweitzer gave a highly partisan speech.
Schweitzer did not attend the final breakfasts during his time in office and the event briefly dropped the word “governor’s” from its title.
This year, Gov. Steve Bullock was invited to the event and organizers thought he would attend. But there was an apparent misunderstanding and Bullock notified organizers he would not attend — but only after programs were printed listing him as a speaker.
Bullock had a family gathering previously scheduled during the Legislature’s midsession break, both Mendenhall and a Bullock spokeswoman said.
Bullock sent a letter to be read at the breakfast, but Mendenhall said it only reached him the night before the breakfast. The letter discusses Bullock’s own family and faith, and also cites Scripture in an argument supporting Medicaid expansion.
Very balanced reporting on both goose and gander.
I have to say, this is the first President about whom I can honestly say I feel he demonstrably despises my beliefs, morals and positions (I have done more research into his views than simply watching his debates, stump speeches and State of the Union addresses). But I guess that just puts me in the same position as a liberal under Reagan, eh?
Anyway, I guess I’m not really much for bi-partisanship these days myself and don’t blame Barton on that count, but Christians have a duty to be impeccable in their assertions. Period.
MWorrell – Just to be clear – I understand politics and taking stands (although Barton has made several false claims about Obama) but the Fellowship Foundation who is behind the prayer breakfasts usually run the other way from partisans like Barton.
I have to say, this is the first President about whom I can honestly say I feel he demonstrably despises my beliefs, morals and positions (I have done more research into his views than simply watching his debates, stump speeches and State of the Union addresses). But I guess that just puts me in the same position as a liberal under Reagan, eh?
Anyway, I guess I’m not really much for bi-partisanship these days myself and don’t blame Barton on that count, but Christians have a duty to be impeccable in their assertions. Period.
MWorrell – Just to be clear – I understand politics and taking stands (although Barton has made several false claims about Obama) but the Fellowship Foundation who is behind the prayer breakfasts usually run the other way from partisans like Barton.