Joseph L. Kagle, Jr. Peace Essays

Jesus on the Election Trail

When politics get too much for me in America, my mind starts to wonder (which is a dangerous thing). The other day, I wondered if “the prince of peace” could get elected to a government position in today’s 21^st century world. I found it an interesting avenue to explore.

Christ could teach politicians a thing or two if only allowed to run

     “That’s 126 leaves that have drifted by,” Bubba Jay said.

     He said it as we sat beside the Brazos River, near Bubba's house on what had once been called Dripping Springs Road.

     We had counted the loose foliage for an hour or so. It was the kind of day when you let all your, muscles relax, except your brain which you merely allow to work at a slower pace. For some this might be "a boring day" but for us it was normal. Everything slowed to a pace that bores the ordinary person. Bubba has never been ordinary.

     "Who do you see as the best man for president?” I asked.

     “From the limited choices we have?" was Bubba's short but honest answer.

        The wheels turned slowly and the process was mirrored on Bubba's face, "No, 'I take that back. You know who I would like as a candidate?"

     He did not wait for an answer.

"Jesus," he said. "But he could not get nominated. ^ He wasn't born in America."

   “And    he died two years before the official age to run," I said.

 Bubba had finally captured the only part of me that was moving — my mind. That was the extent of the exercise I would allow.

Qualifications?

  "Can't you see the political commentators having a field day with Jesus' lack of experience?" said Bubba Jay. "He had never held a political office, not even county commissioner, a sheriff or school board member. He was not even married. Can you see a single man trying to run for president?

   "And just think what those same experts would do with his mother claiming to be a virgin after his birth."

  I pointed out that, critics made fun of a town named Hope with Clinton. Just think of the image of a man being born in a stable, I suggested.

  Bubba readjusted his body position for no apparent reason.

  "And Jesus went around with lepers and prosti­tutes. Adlai Stevenson was crucified in the press for having a hole in his shoe and crying in public."

     Jesus was a man who did not wear a power tie or dress in a consensus, poll-endorsed suit.

     "I suspect that the tabloids would really examine the moral character of his closest followers;" Said Bubba. "They had little political experience (except Paul) and were not saints until later."

     For all these reasons and more, we agree, Jesus could not be nominated, except in Iowa maybe, and if nominated, he could not run under our present laws, and if by some miracle (and with Jesus that is a distinct possibility) he was able to run for president on some reform ticket, he would be de­stroyed in the media and by congressional committees.

     The National Inquirer and the Washington Post would both run articles based on innuendoes about his relationship with Mary Magdalene.

     Because he kicked the money lenders out of the church, there's no way his campaign could raise the millions it takes for your average advertising blitz.

     "Someone would certainly bring up that he never paid state or federal taxes on the wine that he created from water," Bubba said.

   "But he might change the political landscape forever," I said. "And he would give one rousing acceptance speech."   

     But Bubba was right, as usual. Even our best presidents in the past could not get nominated or elected today. Abraham Lincoln might never be nominated in the present climate.

     "Scripted image is everything," I said. "And Jesus probably was a little too dark-skinned for 20th century America."

     "But we are in the 21st century," corrected Bubba. "Maybe there's hope."