Issue Made of Texas Democrat Gubernatorial Candidate's PCA Church

[Jerome]

White's Church Ties Raise Questions

His campaign website:

andrewwhite.com

Andrew White's elder profile photo from the church website:

 

[rsr]

OK. What exactly does the ESV have to do with this?

 

[rlvaughn]

White's church ties will pose no problems for Texas Democrats if they have to choose between Andrew White and Greg Abbott.

I looked at his campaign website, and I'd say he is more liberal that folks Texans have been electing statewide. He tries to be careful in his position statements to "thread the needle" -- e.g. "In my personal life, I accept that life begins at conception" but "I support Roe v Wade." Being the son of a former governor is in the "helpful" column for White (though I not sure just how popular Mark White was -- he defeated Bill Clements, then was defeated by Clements). The elder White was born in our county, and the "Wells" in his middle name represents a once-influential family in the earlier days of the county.

 

[rsr]

I'm sure you a right about Democrats —anyone is better than Abbott. It's the great middle of the electorate that will decide it. Given the changing landscape of the electorate, no one can predict how that will turn out.

The strange thing about it is that the governor of Texas is pretty much a middle-level manager. The lieutenant governor really has more influence on policy than the governor, except the governor can veto bills. And that can be a plus for White. But untold millions will surely be spent on the race.

We are in a Texas market for TV and we truly dread Texas politics intruding upon the tube. A local state Senate race is already generating tens of thousands of dollars in local advertising. Comparing our two states, my impression is that Texans must always vote for God or Satan.

Luckily, I mostly watch PBS or Netiflix.

 

[rlvaughn]

Comparing our two states, my impression is that Texans must always vote for God or Satan.

Well, since they both have their primary residences here...

 

[rlvaughn]

I'm sure you a right about Democrats —anyone is better than Abbott. It's the great middle of the electorate that will decide it. Given the changing landscape of the electorate, no one can predict how that will turn out.

To follow up on that a bit, the reason for my comment was because the article focused on White having "taken heat from other Democrats." It seems his own party are the ones complaining. In the general election, though, the middle electorate will greatly come into play. White's equivocations will probably play better with them than with the Democrat base. It seems it would be wisdom on their part to have someone in the middle running than someone on toward the extreme left edge.

 

[Jerome]

Instead of portraying this Democrat candidate as just "in the middle" or "careful in his position statements," World magazine calls him out:

Compromised

"Houston entrepreneur Andrew White is seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination for governor of Texas, and he affirms the party’s standard positions in favor of legal abortion and same-sex marriage. But he is also an elder at Christ the King Presbyterian Church, which is part of a denomination—the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA)—that holds to Biblical standards opposing abortion and homosexuality. 'My personal faith is personal to me, but I will not let it interfere with how I govern,' White said. His stance did not sit well in the PCA. 'I am praying for you Mr. White,' wrote PCA Pastor Todd Pruitt in an open letter for alliancenet.org. 'I am praying that the Lord will open your eyes and grant you repentance from your current views. I am praying that, should you harden your heart and maintain your current position, your church and presbytery will … exercise proper discipline in your life.'"

 

[Jerome]

christianpost.com/voice/ruling-elder-in-the-conservative-presbyterian-church-believes-in-pre-born-baby-murder.html

"Secularists might praise the likes of Andrew White who will separate themselves from their faith....he said in an interview with Texas Public Radio's KSTX in San Antonio, 'I support Roe v. Wade 100 percent.....when I'm governor, I will veto any of this legislation coming out that limits a woman's right to choose.'"

"call upon Christ the King Presbyterian Church and see to it that White repents....If White does not repent, then his local church MUST excommunicate him. If White's church fails at any of this, then the greater PCA church body must step in and bring Christ the King Presbyterian Church to account and if necessary disfellowship the church."

 

[Jerome]

Did y'all watch the campaign commercial on his website linked in the op?

"Andrew's not into labels"

"running for governor to make sure Texans have...access to women's health care"

"he gets to church on time most of the time; greatest wife with the cutest kids you ever saw"

"he doesn't care which bathroom you use just as long as you flush when you're done"


Did y'all scroll down to the endorsements he's featuring?:

 

[carpro]

Abbott is a great governor and will win Texas again. Handily.

It's a cinch that no left winger of any kind will like Abbott.

 

[rsr]

Abbott, like most Texas governors, is a cipher and doesn't really matter. GW managed to parlay it to the national stage, but in Texas politics who the governor is is almost irrelevant. The Legislature rules.

 

[carpro]

Abbott, like most Texas governors, is a cipher and doesn't really matter. GW managed to parlay it to the national stage, but in Texas politics who the governor is is almost irrelevant. The Legislature rules.

Of course.

Except for that minor little detail called a veto and the word "almost".

 

[rsr]

Yes, he can veto. And that can be a powerful tool. But the governor can do precious little aside from that. The lieutenant governor is the official leader of the Senate and sits on many powerful boards. Dan Patrick is much more influential on legislation than Abbott, who satisfies himself by pushing oddball legislation that Patrick, essentially, must approve.

 

[carpro]

Yes, he can veto. And that can be a powerful tool. .

End of story.

 

[carpro]

 

[777]

Not much up on Texas politics, but this person is ahead by almost twenty points in the primary according to this poll:

https://static.texastribune.org/med...8.1647027925.1519049485-1170111650.1519049485

those numbers looks pretty solid, but neither of them could beat Abbott in the general because of this alone:

Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidates press for new gun restrictions after Florida massacre

every Texan I've ever met thinks gun control means how steady you can hold it.

 

[carpro]

Not much up on Texas politics, but this person is ahead by almost twenty points in the primary according to this poll:

https://static.texastribune.org/med...8.1647027925.1519049485-1170111650.1519049485

those numbers looks pretty solid, but neither of them could beat Abbott in the general because of this alone:

Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidates press for new gun restrictions after Florida massacre

every Texan I've ever met thinks gun control means how steady you can hold it.

No democrat in sight will beat Abbott, gun issue or not.

Period.

 

[777]

You're probably right, Greg beat Abortion Barbie by over 20 points for years ago, Perry won by 18, 9 and 13 and GWB won by over 30 points and before that he beat the old drunk incumbent Ann by over 8 points. That is a trend.

 

[rlvaughn]

The Democrats have not won a statewide office in Texas since 1994 -- nearly 24 years. If it weren't for some of their really bad political positions, one could almost feel sorry for them!

 

[thatbrian]

I think that the discussion has gotten sidetracked. The point isn't whether or not White could win, it's about whether or not it's appropriate for an elder in the PCA (a generally conservative denomination) to have such views regarding abortion and remain an elder in the PCA.