The TicketMichele Bachmann testifies at politically themed sermon on the Plains
OSKALOOSA, Iowa--"It's kind of like if you've seen the movie 'Wizard of Oz,'" Michele Bachmann said Sunday at Jubliee Family Church as she described her spiritual rebirth on Oct. 31, 1972, at the age of 16. "It starts off black and white, and all of a sudden it's technicolor--that's what it seemed like. All of a sudden my spiritual eyes were open."
The welcoming congregation--many members arrived wearing red "Bachmann 2012" pins shaped like the state of Iowa--listened attentively as Bachmann shared her personal spiritual journey, laughed along with her religious quips, and offered audible praise and "Amens" for her command of Scripture.
Bachmann barely mentioned politics when she spoke Sunday morning.
That was left up to Bill Tvedt, the church's pastor, who has personally endorsed Bachmann.
"All eyes are on Iowa. All eyes are on what's taking place in the next three days," Tvedt said.
Tables at the back of the church displayed caucus precinct maps, sign-up sheets, cards with information for contacting elected officials and other materials.
"We try to get people as much resources as unbiased as possible," Levi State, the youth director for the church, told Yahoo News.
Though Tvedt has endorsed Bachmann, at the pulpit Sunday he made a point to avoid directing congregants to support her.
"I would consider it an insult that someone would have to tell me who to vote for," Tvedt said. "And my job as a pastor is not to tell you who to vote for or to endorse a particular candidate. My job is to teach you what the scripture says about it."
Tvedt preached against the temptation to vote for candidates based on their eloquence, perceived electability, whoever looks most "presidential," and based only on their fiscal policy.
"But this isn't just fiscal first," he said. It's the priorities of God first."
Bachmann placed sixth in the Des Moines Register poll of likely Republican caucus-goers released Saturday night. The poll was taken on the heels of her whirlwind tour of all of Iowa's 99 counties. Her campaign argues that pollsters can't accurately count who will be passionate enough to participate Tuesday night.
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