Minnesota Independent

Pawlenty’s presidential ambitions get the Pat Robertson treatment

By Andy Birkey | 12.13.10 | 10:00 am

As part of it’s “Elephant in the Room” series, Pat Robertson’s Christian Broadcasting Network did a half-hour long segment on Gov. Tim Pawlenty and his presidential aspirations. CBN’s David Brody sat down with Pawlenty and wife Mary as well the Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza and Politico’s Jonathan Martin. Among the topics were Pawlenty’s connection to the evangelical community and his lack of name recognition.

Pastor who endorsed conservatives says Emmer will lose because of social issues

By Andy Birkey | 11.05.10 | 9:39 am

Brad Brandon, the Hastings pastor who endorsed Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer from the pulpit, said Emmer will lose after the vote recount because he didn’t reach out to evangelicals on social issues. On his radio program, Brandon chided Emmer: “He refused to allow God into his campaign, that’s what it boils down to.” Emmer dodged questions about abortion and gay rights at every turn during the campaign, including on Brandon’s show.

Pawlenty signs evangelical book deal

By Andy Birkey | 05.03.10 | 8:35 am

Gov. Tim Pawlenty has signed on with evangelical literary agent Alive Communications and evangelical publisher Tyndale House Publishing to write his memoir. The book doesn’t yet have a title, but according to a press release from Alive Communications…

Despite court decision, National Day of Prayer will endure in Minnesota

By Andy Birkey | 04.20.10 | 9:04 am

Despite a ruling last week by a federal judge in Wisconsin striking down the National Day of Prayer as unconstitutional, Minnesota’s commemoration of the annual event — almost exclusively an evangelical affair — will go on this year. It remains to be seen whether Gov. Tim Pawlenty will again sign a proclamation for the day in Minnesota.

Bachmann’s punk-rock benefactor says Obama ‘unpatriotic to the max’

By Andy Birkey | 10.20.09 | 5:16 pm

While Rep. Michele Bachmann eventually backed off her infamous statement about “un-American views” she feared Barack Obama held, she’s standing by someone with sharper views. Next month, she’s headlining a fundraiser for Bradlee Dean’s Christian punk rock band and ministry, You Can Run But You Cannot Hide. Here’s a rundown of his recent statements, including his belief that Obama is “not American” and “unpatriotic to the max.”

Speaker for local rightwing fundraiser likens Obama to Hitler

By Andy Birkey | 10.15.09 | 12:20 pm

The New York Times noted on Monday that rightwing opposition to the Democrats’ health care reform plans contains plenty of references to Nazis. On Wednesday, a Minnesota-based, rightwing health care group offered a local example, announcing a former…

‘You Can Run’ may be running afoul of the Constitution

By Andy Birkey | 10.08.09 | 2:49 pm

Civil liberties groups say that You Can Run But You Cannot Hide International — a ministry/punk band that brings its Christian message to public school kids — is causing schools to run afoul of the constitutional principle of separation of state and church. Rep. Michele Bachmann, who says such a separation is a “myth,” will be headlining a fundraiser for the group in November.

Would Jesus torture?

By Andy Birkey | 05.13.09 | 2:35 pm

The Associated Press asks prominent evangelicals and leaders of the religious right if Jesus would condone torture. Some evangelicals say every life is sacred and torture is not peaceful and…

Evangelical leader James Dobson steps down from Focus on the Family

By Andy Birkey | 02.27.09 | 3:43 pm

Considered by many to be the nation’s most influential evangelical leader, Focus on the Family’s James Dobson is stepping down after founding the organization more than 30 years ago.…

Seeking a Third Way: Progressives and evangelicals unite to end the culture war

By Andy Birkey | 01.19.09 | 9:21 am

A coalition of progressives and evangelicals are uniting to end the culture war. Organized by the think tank Third Way and called the “Come Let Us Reason Together” coalition, the group seeks common ground on issues like abortion, gay rights, immigration and torture in hopes of ending the bitter divisiveness that has characterized the culture war.