Here are some of the key things that I think should inform the vote of every Christian. I realize that various people who follow Jesus might use these same criteria to vote for either leading candidate for the next U.S. President. That's a good thing - a decision between you and God, but in context with thoughtful dialog with people who agree with you and people who disagree with you.

Without preaching or steering your vote (and feel free to agree or disagree or add whatever I've missed in the comments) here are some of the top criteria, in my opinion...

• a candidate who will very thoughtfully and carefully make war (only when absolutely needed) but also make peace in several parts of the world, through firm diplomacy and multilateral negotiations
• a candidate who will repair our nation's foreign policy and restore our international influence and moral integrity
• a candidate who will willfully engage major global issues including HIV/AIDS, climate change, genocide, and extreme poverty - we need a president who will advocate for the poor and powerless
• a candidate who will work with government and the private sector to enable affordable and efficient healthcare for all Americans
• a candidate who will work for excellent and accessible education for all Americans (taking our schools from mediocrity to excellence)
• a candidate who will rebuild our domestic economy and international economic role in the world
• a candidate who will boost our economic competitiveness in a rapidly changing global economy
• a candidate who will clarify and lead us all in engaging imperative moral issues as a nation, including human dignity, human rights, human trafficking, torture, capital punishment, abortion, the sanctity of all human life, economic justice, racial justice, and several equally important issues -- not just by passing laws but by tackling the root causes and needs which feed into these issues
• a candidate who will employ multilateralism in the context of global interdependence (the colonial era is over)
• a candidate who will lead us in rapid adoption of alternative energy solutions, both for energy independence and for stewardship of our planet (one of the things God has charged us with, as an act of obedience and worship)
• a candidate who focuses on real, shared solutions more than negative statements about other people or their plans (this is a tough one, in typical U.S. elections, including this one)
• a candidate who will fairly represent and serve the needs of all Americans, in all our diversity

There are many other criteria, I realize. These are just a few that I suggest as some of the most important ones.

No president can accomplish even one of these things on their own, of course. I am voting for the leader who I think is most likely to lead in these areas with vigor, relentless energy, creativity, and collaboration with other branches of government and with the private sector, including the church.

Be sure you VOTE on or before Tuesday!

God bless America. Including America's Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Buddhists, atheists, agnostics, and others.

May we be found to be on God's side at least some of the time.