Not the kingdom?

At a conference on theology and politics at Wheaton College earlier this month, a speaker described a world run by economic elites who pursue their own interests. These elites dominate both political parties in the United States, he noted. 

In the question-and-answer period, a student at the evangelical college asked what then should be done, given such an oppressive system. The speaker advised the student not to put much hope in electoral politics. “Don’t imagine that the kingdom of God is going to come just because Obama is elected.” 

At this, a person in the row ahead of me muttered to her companion: “It’s different hearing a speaker assume that it’s Obama, not the Republicans, we might put our hopes in.”