Senator Raphael Warnock Mixes Politics and Preaching on Campaign Trail
Raphael Warnock speaks at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland in July. (Photo: John Minchillo/AP)
Raphael Warnock is a man of many voices.
While he’s a famous actor, a former world heavyweight boxing champion and a former member of parliament in South Africa, he also is a prolific public speaker. His speaking schedule keeps him very busy, and the topics he speaks to are wide ranging, from politics to faith and life’s other many forms of struggle — to the point where Warnock’s speeches often become more important than the speeches made by the political parties.
The latest to feature Warnock on his speaking schedule is the Republican National Convention, which takes place in Cleveland this month and will include speeches from former Bush Vice President Dick Cheney, ex-President George W. Bush, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan.
In this interview with Truthout, Warnock discusses his political ideology, his current speaking schedule and his take on the election.
Truthout: What do you think of the Republicans’ “Contract with America”?
Raphael Warnock: It’s very divisive, and it’s very dishonest. It is the best PR exercise in the history of politics. It’s just the worst thing that has happened to America — if that actually means anything to me.
The Republicans have tried to divide the people. They didn’t divide the country. They just tore the country apart.
Truthout: Is this election the “referendum” of American society?
Raphael Warnock: It’s a referendum, and the people don’t seem to want that referendum. They want to divide us up. They want to tear us apart. They’re trying to tear us apart by going after one group of people. That’s what’s happening. And they have to stop it because it’s dividing or it�