Obama's better off not playing pulpit politics with S.C. pastor
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- If you want to see what power looks like, go to a megachurch. On Sunday, I visited the Bible Way Church of Atlas Road -- the church where state Sen. Darrell Jackson is also the pastor. The senator is an awesome preacher.
Still, I don't see how he got away with a questionable deal in which he appeared to have peddled his influence to the highest bidder.
Last week, Jackson -- one of the black legislators credited with helping John Edwards churn out the black vote in the last presidential campaign -- came out in support of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Democratic primary.
A couple of days later, reporters found out that Jackson, who also wears a third hat as a corporate executive, heads up the public relations firm that was handed a $10,000-a-month deal from the Clinton camp.
Worshippers spilled out of cars lined up in several lots. Some were dressed in their Sunday best, while others came in their jeans and jogging suits.
They were married couples toting children, couples holding hands, singles, elderly citizens and lots of teenagers. But for the most part, they were African Americans, which makes Bible Way one of the largest black churches in the country. Inside, the congregation crackled with excitement. Two jumbo screens captured the crowded pews, making the cavernous room seem intimate.
After a time of praise and worship, and a spirited prayer by Jackson's wife, Willie Mae Jackson, who is co-pastor of the church, an unidentified associate pastor reflected on the week's turmoil by calling on the Lord and urging church members to pray.
He then announced that a church member, Anton Gunn, had been tapped as the state director of the Barack Obama campaign. Actually, according to a spokesman for the Obama campaign, Gunn was named political director for the campaign in South Carolina.
"Senator Obama was over at Claflin University, and probably will be back several times this year," he told the churchgoers. There was dead silence.
But when he announced that the Hillary Clinton camp had named Jackson as its state director, the congregation erupted into wild applause.
"We don't endorse candidates across the pulpit, but we will provide you the opportunity so you can find out the information and make your own choices," the associate pastor said.
Hillary Clinton was scheduled to be in Columbia the next day, and members of her advance team were in the church service. The associate pastor at the pulpit took a moment to ask Hillary's people to stand and wave to the crowd.
In fact, some would say that these churches are to Democrats what white evangelicals have been to the conservative movement.
Tamelyn Tucker-Worgs, assistant professor of political science at Hood College in Frederick, Md., points out that politics in the pulpit are a longstanding black cultural tradition.
"It is not something that is outside the tradition of the black church to participate in electoral policies. What is different is the fact that these churches are mega in proportion, which means a minister can rise in prominence and get the ear of people in high places," Tucker-Worgs said.
Obviously, Jackson has big plans and sees Clinton as his passport.
But right now, he's dodging questions about the contract.
The Rev. and Sen. James T. Meeks, himself a pastor of a church numbered among the 50 most influential churches in America, doesn't see anything wrong with bringing politics into the church. But he draws the line at funding.
"I think people have to be very careful when taking funds to do political work and making endorsements," Meeks said. "The fact that Jackson has a consulting firm on the side, and that Hillary was able to directly fund that firm is a problem."
Obama also tried to get Jackson's support -- which is disappointing -- but lost out to Hillary.
He's better off without it. Because a preacher who has 9,000 members and gets a salary from the state Legislature has no business selling his political cachet, period.
But who can challenge a man of God?
That's the trouble with pulpit politics.
