Character Counts

Much has been written about the importance of this election. By following the news and the constant flow of opinion polls it's easy to be overwhelmed with information. But this election really comes down one basic question that can be applied to almost any race: what is the character of the person that I am voting for?

While looking up the word character , I ran across some interesting definitions:

• The combination of qualities or features that distinguishes one person, group, or thing from another
• Moral or ethical strength
• A description of a person's attributes, traits, or abilities.
• Public estimation of someone; reputation
• Status or role; capacity

The positions candidates take during the course of the campaign are certainly important. So are the decisions that they have made about which political party they choose to be affiliated with. But most important to me is the individual's character because it reflects who they are and what they truly believe in.

An essential ingredient of a person's character is their faith. A person's faith (or lack of it) will form their worldview which is essentially how they view the world and themselves in it. The Dawn Treader has a great article on worldviews and why they matter. (Hat tip: Evangelical Outpost).

A lot can also be learned about a man when you look at his wife. Choosing who he will marry is one of the most important decisions a man can make. In fact, how he treats women in general is equally important.

You can also learn a lot about someone when you listen to what others have to say about him. (Hat tip: Stones Cry Out)

Finally, is he someone who gives others hope?

UPDATE: The guys at Powerline posted this item which should cause the Kerry camp even more heartburn. Memo to the Dems: when your guys in the MSM write stuff like this about your candidate you can kiss your hopes of winning goodbye.

UPDATE AGAIN: Several blogs had been abuzz all weekend about this story that will appear above the fold on the Washington Times in the morning. Kerry's finally been caught in a really BIG lie. (Hat tip: Powerline)