Josh Marshall over at the TPM Café (www.Talkingpointsmemo.com ) made an interesting observation this morning about Presidential candidate Michael Huckabee’s reference to “vertical thinking.” in his campaign literature. Josh thought the phrase was odd and puzzled over its meaning.
Googling the phrase“vertical thinking” along with the word “god” yields a large number of hits, some referring to a secular definition (as in Wikipedia’s: “Vertical thinking is a type of approach to problems that usually involves one being selective, analytical, and sequential. It could be said that it is the opposite of lateral thinking.”) to religious versions up to and including a Christian themed web-sites including http://www.verticalthought.org and http://christiansforhuckabeemobilize.blogspot.com/2007/09/vertical-day-monday-september-24-2007.html
And lest anyone think that vertical thinking lacks relationship specifically to Christian thinking consider the following from Norman Vincent Peale in his book Reaching Your Potential: “It is vertical thinking: it rises to God, comes back to you, back to God, back to you; the power passes along a vertical line and, lest you think this is some kind of psychological dissertation, there is a text from the Bible that supports it, ‘Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
To the uninitiated which includes me, I agreed that the phrase looked odd and out of place. However, to the initiated, it is apparently a sign of inclusion in a religious membership, a link to a common mode of thought and aspiration, and an affirmation of like-mindedness that differs from the rest of the population. In that light, it is much like the Christian symbol for the fish which was code for other Christians and an affirmation of membership in the early days of that religion’s development. Josh’s musings that the evangelical Michael Huckabee is likely fashioning a “clever dog whistle call out to Christian fundamentalists and evangelicals that his politics are God’s politics” looks to be dead on. If he is right, what are the implications for the body politic?
Well first, if you happen not to be a Christian of the evangelical sort (possibly as in a Catholic or a Mormon) or worse, if you are a Jew, a Hindu, a Muslim, or are similarly non-Christian, be aware that Michael Huckabee appears to be calling on troops of like believers of his particular evangelical mind-set to elect him to the highest office of the land by using code language. If that is true, it would make George Bush’s marshalling of the Christian right for his election pale by comparison, because George Bush did it openly.
Huckabee appears to be doing it in code, sometimes while distracting us with a folksy populist bass guitar of all things. I’m no conspiracy theorist, but I have been proselytized enough times to know that there are groups out there that have a narrow aim of forcing everyone else on the planet to their way of thinking, vertical or otherwise.
I would prefer that anyone aspiring to the office of the Presidency speak honestly about their agenda, and if Mr. Huckabee really wants the rest of us to think, act, and feel like a good evangelical, I would prefer that he just say that and see if he gets elected.
Whether “vertical thinking” is evangelical code that passively signifies insider knowledge and Christian communality, or an evangelical “whistle” calling like minded evangelicals overtly to arms is of little consequence. In the end, Mr. Huckabee is being covert in an arena where transparency is demanded.
I would like Mr. Huckabee to honestly explain if he means it in the evangelical sense, or state for the record that he means it in the secular sense before he gets my consideration for his vote, and I don’t care if he can play guitar or not.
Filed under: Bible, Current Events, Politics, christian, conservative, evangelical, liberal, religion, vertical day, vertical politics, vertical thinking | 5 Comments
I’ve been a Christian pastor for 15 plus years. And I’m not a Huckabee supporter (still weighing all the candidates). And the idea of “vertical politics” as Huckabee uses it is NOT some sort of evangelical “code” for anything. I’m sure some Christians have used the concept for various reasons and at various times – but I urge you not to be among those (like the media) who panic about something that isn’t reality. The media and modern political parties are infamous for such witch-hunts. It’s ridiculous, and foolish.
Then what does Huckabee mean by it? He’s never explained what he means in public, only used the phrase.
Great article Rich. I’m with you. There must be a reason for Huckabee to use such stealth language. He has taken some ingredients from Obama’s “Unite” and “Change” recipes and has built a facade with which he can slip his Christian messages under. I fear that he may be able to successfully herd enough of his sheep (evangelicals) as well as those on-the-fence types to win the nomination.
Why must a successful candidate in the year 2008 wear his/her religion on BOTH sleeves? It wasn’t too long ago that JFK was speaking of the virtues of the separation of church and state to a cheering crowd. That sort of speech seems unthinkable now and would likely result in political suicide.
Huckabee, though a former Pastor, is a typical politician. He’s trying to find “catch phrases” that will stick in people’s minds and hearts. “Vertical Politics” has been one of those he’s used – and perhaps you haven’t been listening, he has defined what he means by it. His website clearly states his definition (and I’ve heard him say it on countless interviews) –
From the mouth of the Huckster himself:
“Everywhere I go on the campaign trail, I meet voters with a real thirst for a healthy discussion of the issues. Ultimately, people don’t care whether an issue comes from the left or the right. What they want to talk about are ideas that lift America up and make us better. It’s what I call ‘Vertical Politics.’ “
Somehow i missed the point. Probably lost in translation
Anyway … nice blog to visit.
cheers, Familiarly.