Considering a run

Reports are starting to circulate that Sen. Sam Brownback is forming an exploratory committee for a possible run for the White House in 2008. He was a guest on my show a number of times, always championing causes that uphold the nobility, dignity and rights of the human person — at all stages of life – and protecting institutions based on traditional faith and morals.

We talked on the show right after the federal Marriage Amendment went down in the Senate for lack of enough votes, which by the way doesn’t reflect the constituents of a lot of those senators’ states. Brownback made the point that 45 American states have passed legislation to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman, so that should have translated to 90 votes in the Senate. They got little over 60. Some senators are not reflecting the values they were elected to uphold in Washington.

Brownback does, and he’s a rare breed of politician who infuses his work in government with the principles of faith and morals that form who he is. Meaning, even in contentious battles on the floor of the Senate over issues like immigration, federal funding of embryonic stem cell research, marriage protection, aid to Darfur, nominations of federal judges or Supreme Court justices….Brownback keeps the debate dignified and he maintains goodwill.

Here’s a release today of yet another initiative he’s working on in his characteristic bi-partisan way, with popular Christian pastor Rick Warren and popular senator Barack Obama (D-Ill) on relief for AIDs sufferers.

Dr. Warren preceded the Senators’ appearances by telling the audience that there are three words that describe both of their lives as he has known them — integrity, civility and humility. During their remarks, both men acknowledged the need to find common ground for such an important cause.

“We’ve got a big mission here to do,” Senator Brownback said. “To whom much is given, much is required. We’ve been given much, and we’ve got to meet that task. No single branch will do this alone.”

Senator Brownback recognized the fight against HIV/AIDS not as a political issue, but one with which all Americans and the Church must deal. “We can do this, and we’ve got to reach across the aisle,” he said. “It’s basically a two step process. First, you’ve got to reach out and say who is going to work with me; and secondly, you’ve got to look at that other person and instead of judging them, you have to love them. By working together, we’re going to grow and benefit ourselves and begin to understand each other better in this process.”

That’s just one snip from one statement reflecting Sen. Sam Brownback’s character. I’m personally pleased to see him consider a higher office.