Its hard in my flesh not to smile at the ongoing self-destruction in the Democratic party in Virginia. I’ve long considered identity politics highly destructive to our country–essentially the Democratic Party has embraced as an organizing principle what the Federalist Papers warned as a serious danger, that of faction. And as that tendency toward faction grew ever larger, it became weaponized–not only does the Democratic Party stand on behalf of African-Americans, women, etc., but the Republican Party is racist, sexist, and homophobic (and for those that can’t remember all the ways, just evil). Watching the Kavanaugh fiasco this summer crystalized this problem for many, especially for those on the right. But now the chickens have come home to roost in Virginia, and what will the Democrats do?

Part of my concern is that in the modern Democratic party, it’s the newest rendition of “are you now, or have you ever been, a racist (or sexist, or communist, etc).” If you have ever been a scoundrel, at any time, you’re permanently disqualified to serve in public office. Your only way to penance is to meekly say for the rest of your life how sorry you are for how you once felt/thought/acted.

Yet beyond my fleshly nature, which looks with pleasure on the Democrats being hoisted on their own petard, I think perhaps this is a moment where all of us should give some grace to the gentlemen in Virginia, and use this as an opportunity to stop the excesses of the Democratic puritans. One of the ironies of the current situation is that this standard of once a racist thought, always a racist, is that it does not translate across the comprehensive Democratic identity groups. Why, for instance, when the complete Democratic party was against gay marriage until only a few years ago, that current pledging of allegiance to the gay pride flag is sufficient to allow good standing in the party, whereas boorish behavior toward women or racial insensitivity is currently the kiss of death? Perhaps the LGBTQ community should sue the Democratic party for discrimination, since other members of the identity coalition have their violators permanently disbarred by past behavior, whereas Mrs. Clinton, who until 2013 was supporting traditional marriage, can gather the full support of the party. Of course some things that one does may have longer implications than others, but surely perspective is required.

For those with a Christian worldview, we realize that each one of is fallen, and not just that we are all not perfect–but rather the extent of our fall is such that each one of us is capable of some pretty nasty behavior. Its not just the powerful that are capable of monstrosities, and its not simply in response to oppression that the oppressed react violently toward others. Every socio-economic/class/race/sex strata member is a potential time bomb. And just as everyone is potentially a villain, the good news of the gospel is that everyone of us is capable of transformation–in Christian terms, we are capable of being sanctified, as we “put to death the deeds of the flesh.” We literally become different people as time passes. So when I hear the governor of Virginia put on blackface 30+ years ago, that’s where perspective comes in. What’s his life been like since? Has that racist action been corroborated as more of his internal character by other actions? Are there indications that contra that bad choice, that he has made good choices that show concern for others (in this case African-Americans)? What his overall life choices show, and especially his more recent choices, are far more important for me than something he did long ago.

The Wall Street Journal had a great point on this today; its time for Mr. Obama to step up and engage on this issue.

When this poison was directed at Republicans, we lamented how this wasn’t good for America. Now that the attacks are on Democrats, we say the same: This is no good for the country or the Democratic Party.

Sexual assault deserves to be punished, but the accused also deserve legal and political due process. The evidence or lack of it should matter. A photo with men in blackface and KKK garb is offensive, but the mistakes of youth for politicians who have since shown zero evidence of racial bias deserve some perspective. Politics would be better with a little forbearance in judging adults solely by their worst moments from college.

The problem for Democrats is that the ideology of race, gender and class is now so deeply ingrained on the political left that no one dares to challenge it. A presidential candidate who tried would be taking a big risk. That leaves Mr. Obama, the only Democrat with the personal and political standing to explain the perils of using race and gender as all-purpose, indiscriminate political weapons. 

Mr. Obama is uniquely positioned to speak for the importance of why allegations of sexual assault against a black man must be taken seriously while the man must be given due process to ensure a just result–it cannot be that the mere accusation is sufficient to ruin his career. He can speak to the fact that racial insensitivities can be overcome, and all of us–every color–have had attitudes toward others that are not reflective of what we want to be. In short, this is a time when Mr. Obama can provide perspective to a troubled state. And should he do this, the Republican party should not demand their own pound of flesh. Isn’t it time for the identity politics balloon to lose a little air?