What Do We Do Now?

Written by Jonathan Krogh

Dear Post-Election Elect:

In 1972 there was a political comedy movie called The Candidate starring Robert Redford and Peter Boyle, the actor who played the monster in Young Frankenstein two years later. Democratic operative Marvin Lucas (Boyle) recruits Bill McKay (Redford) to take on incumbent senator Crocker Jarman (Don Porter, Gidget’s father; yes, I am old). California Republican Jarman is so popular there is little opposition. As a result, Lucas has free rein to find a candidate, any candidate, to run in opposition. Because he was going to lose anyway, McKay is free to say whatever he wants. His extremely liberal views create a small but ardent following when Jarman’s campaign begins to falter. Lucas convinces McKay to moderate his views, writing a stump speech that is more blather than content. With Jarman falling in the polls, Lucas brokers a debate where both candidates drone on with canned responses and talking points. As the debate concludes, McKay cannot contain himself and launches back into his passionately held convictions. Surprised by the sudden content, viewers shift their affiliation and McKay wins. The movie concludes with the victory party, as the exhausted Redford sits alone on the edge of his hotel room bed asking, “What do we do now?”

The film may have been a fantasy romp. It was, after all, written by Jeremy Larner, a speechwriter for Democratic senator Eugene McCarthy during McCarthy's campaign for the 1968 Democratic presidential nomination, a legendary political disaster. But the plot functions as a lengthy build-up to highlight the difference between campaigning and serving. We have a political problem; there is a significant disconnect between the skill set needed to win elections and the aptitude necessary to effectively govern. It is like choosing beekeepers based on their ability to belt out show tunes.

Finally, we are on the other side of the election. The talent portion and the swimsuit rounds have ended, and we are handing over the keys of a multitrillion dollar government to a fleet of contestants who won the hearts of American viewers. Maybe they’ll do a wonderful job, maybe not; but I think the important post-election question for us all is Redford’s, “What do we do now?”

In 2 Timothy chapter 2 we find this instruction: “I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity… I desire, then, that in every place the men [sic] should pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument…” This sentiment is echoed in The Fiddler on the Roof, where villagers ask the rabbi if there is a prayer for the Tsar. After contemplation, the rabbi answers, “A blessing for the Tsar? Of course... May God bless and keep the Tsar...far away from us!”

Both 2nd Timothy and the fiddler’s rabbi encourage us to pray for those in authority for a single reason: that we might be left alone to dwell in our village without anger or argument.

That is the post-election assignment. While we may have lofty expectations for election winners, we should have the even loftier spiritual assignment for ourselves—to live peaceably with one another.

Thinking we may do well replacing elections with dance-offs, I remain,

With Love,
Jonathan Krogh
Your Pastor

Jonathan Krogh
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