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Palin Power and John McCain’s Faith, Huckabee Speaks of GOP Ticket
Sep 4, 2008 (CNA).- The political spotlight will be focused on Sen. John McCain later this evening as he delivers his acceptance speech for the Republican presidential nomination, but Gov. Mike Huckabee took time this afternoon to talk with reporters about the role of faith in the McCain-Palin ticket.

The former presidential contender first turned his attention to the buzz surrounding McCain’s pick of the Governor of Alaska, saying, “I think Senator McCain has made a magnificent selection with Sarah Palin.”

With impact of Hurricane Gustav, and Democrats energized by their convention in Denver, the Republican Party opened its convention without the momentum being in its favor. But with the addition of Palin, Huckabee said, “value voters” have become “energized” and the level of excitement has completely shifted over the last week.

According to the former governor of Arkansas, the press unintentionally helped create the buzz about Palin by attacking her for only being the mayor of a small town and by focusing on her daughter Bristol’s pregnancy.

“The press did not intend it,” he quipped, “but what they have done, they have thrown Joseph in the well. What was intended for harm has turned out for good. And I’m sure it was never their goal to make her the absolute hero, not just of value voters, but of women, and frankly, fair-minded Americans.”

The discussion then turned to the role that Sen. McCain’s faith plays in his decision making process. MORE
 

Arizona Bishops Back State Marriage Amendment
Bishop of Phoenix Thomas J. OlmstedPhoenix, Sep 5, 2008 (CNA).- The bishops of Arizona on Thursday released a statement encouraging voters to support Proposition 102, an amendment on the November ballot that would establish a legal definition of marriage as between one man and one woman. “We believe Proposition 102 is in alignment with our deeply held moral beliefs regarding marriage,” they said.

Bishop of Phoenix Thomas J. Olmsted and Bishop of Tucson Gerald F. Kicanas explained that they backed the amendment because they believe that without “constitutional protection,” the state’s present law on marriage could be changed “to the detriment of society.”

“Without constitutional protection, the legal definition of marriage as we understand it today in Arizona is subject to redefinition,” they argued.

According to the bishops’ letter, the proposition states: “Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state.”

“Our support is based upon our Church’s teaching on the sanctity of marriage as a faithful, exclusive, lifelong union of a man and a woman joined in an intimate community of life and love,” the bishops wrote in their statement. MORE