Obama Reaches Out To Religious Voters

Senator Has Made Religion A Signature Part Of His Campaign

(AP)  The invitation appeared one Sunday in Joanna Chase's church bulletin: Come to a "faith forum" and join a conversation about the intersection of religion and politics.

Living in New Hampshire, Chase is accustomed to pitches from presidential hopefuls, especially those focusing on values-voting Republicans. But this one came from the team of a Democrat, Sen. Barack Obama.

The candidate himself wasn't on the bill. But about 50 people showed up to talk about the war, poverty and trying to seize back the moral mantle some in the GOP claim. The night also featured an Obama video and a campaign altar call - an invitation to become a "congregation contact" and rally support for the candidate.

"I don't know if I will vote for Barack Obama," said Chase, 62, who was inspired enough to organize a similar forum at her United Church of Christ congregation in Northwood, N.H. "There are several candidates I like very much. But I love that he has the character and confidence to allow people to do this. He doesn't have to own every bit of it."

The leading Democratic contenders for the White House all have made a point of talking about religion this campaign season. They discuss their faith journeys and how their beliefs influence their policies. The campaigns of Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton and John Edwards all are doing outreach to religious communities.

But Obama, the junior senator from Illinois, has made religion a signature part of his campaign through his own public appearances in places where Democrats rarely venture, and a faith-based voter mobilization, topped by forums in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina that could prove key to organizing.

"I don't think a Democratic presidential candidate has come close to doing anything like this before," said Mark Silk, director of the Leonard E. Greenberg Center for the Study of Religion in Public Life at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn. "If you are going to parse the different dimensions of how a presidential candidate does religion, he's doing them all."

Will it win votes? Create a backlash from Democrats angry that religion and politics are too intertwined? Obama has drawn criticism from the Rev. Welton Gaddy of the liberal Interfaith Alliance, who said the senator "has sounded precisely like George W. Bush" in recent church appearances.

A member of the liberal United Church of Christ, Obama has said he was raised in a nonreligious home and had a conversion experience after doing community organizing in Chicago churches. He spoke last year - before announcing his candidacy - of a desire to tackle "mutual suspicion" between religious and secular America.

He invokes biblical imagery, saying that because government alone cannot solve problems, "we have an individual responsibility to be our brother's keeper and our sister's keeper." At the same time, Obama has lauded the separation of church and state and has paid homage to America's religious pluralism.

Campaigning in Iowa over the weekend, Obama framed the climate change debate in religious terms, saying: "We are not acting as good stewards of God's earth when our bottom line puts the size of our profits before the future of our planet."

Obama's religious affairs director, Joshua DuBois, said his charge is to create a "robust, grass-roots outreach program" - including nonreligious people who view issues through a moral lens and want a voice in the debate. DuBois is a former Obama Senate aide and former associate minister with the Assemblies of God, a Pentecostal denomination.

The faith forums, like the one Chase attended in New Hampshire, are perhaps the most visible illustration of the Obama faith ground game.

More than 25 were staged in Iowa and New Hampshire. The campaign is now in the midst of a "40 Days of Faith and Family" drive of forums, gospel concerts and candidate appearances in South Carolina, where Obama is lagging behind Clinton in polls and fighting the former first lady for the state's black vote.

At a recent forum at a public library in Myrtle Beach, S.C., 58-year-old Vietnam veteran Bennie Swans walked in "lukewarm" about the Obama campaign, supportive of Obama's opposition to the Iraq War but otherwise unsure.

Swans said he walked out invigorated by what he saw: "People coming together from various points of life, ages and races, working collectively on issues of faith and politics. Our churches are so segregated. You usually don't see that."

The Mount Olive AME Church member signed on as a "congregation contact."

DuBois said the campaign is clear that political organizing cannot take place within houses of worship, which would land them in trouble with the Internal Revenue Service. The goal is to reach friends and family, some of them church members, he said.

Beyond the forums, the campaign stages a weekly interfaith prayer conference call, runs a "People of Faith for Barack" Web site and has a page on FaithBase.com, a social networking site modeled on Facebook and MySpace.

Traditionally, Democratic religious outreach has meant mobilizing support in black churches and bastions of liberal mainline Protestantism. Obama has done those things, but he's also taken part in a summit on AIDS hosted by evangelical mega-pastor Rick Warren and appeared at Southern Baptist churches in South Carolina.

At an evangelical church in Greenville, S.C., Obama said he seeks to be an "instrument of God" and expressed confidence "we can create a kingdom right here on Earth."

That prompted Gaddy, of the Interfaith Alliance, to criticize the candidate in a conference call with reporters. Gaddy cautioned against any presidential candidate talking about building such a kingdom while "in an evangelical church in which that terminology has a very specific, indisputable definition that is exclusive rather than inclusive."

Obama's own church background could cause problems as well. His Chicago pastor and spiritual mentor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, emphasizes "black values" in a church message that has stirred controversy.

Polling data suggest religion may help Obama set himself apart from Clinton, the front-runner. A poll last month from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found 84 percent of Americans considered Obama very or somewhat religious, compared with 69 percent for Clinton, a Methodist.

Edwards, also a Methodist, had numbers comparable to Obama's and was more likely to be considered "very" religious.

Clinton has cited the influence of Methodism's social gospel and has hired Democratic strategist Burns Strider, a Southern Baptist, to direct her religious outreach. Edwards has stressed how his faith shaped his desire to combat poverty.

Mara Vanderslice, a Democratic consultant on religious issues, said it's striking that Democrats are engaging religious voters in the primary season after virtually ignoring them in 2004.

"That will solidify the involvement of the religious community in Democratic campaigns going into the general (election)," she said. "But it will also change the culture. This will become part of what we do."

[sftodd]

Well, MY rights are being violated by the libs forcing their warped mentality on me.
Its okay to mention God in public. The liberals call foul, saying its a violation of the seperation of church and state. Its okay to recite the pledge of allegience. The liberals call foul, saying its a prayer and violates the seperation of church and state. They''''re WRONG.
People who discredit the Bible are in denial and I pity them.
Posted by Hwy71So at 07:56 AM : Oct 17, 2007

Sweetie, you are in denial. I call "foul" when you mention "God" because he''s just a figment of your irrationally fantastic imagination. And I''m sick and tired of you trying to force your demonic mentality onto me. Prove it up.

[sftodd]

This is so sad, democrats kissing religious butt at a time when this country is ready to support a president who understands the importance of the separation of church and state. Just like the wimpy democrats to blow a chance to be leaders on this issue; instead of instilling the youth of America with the ability to understand how dangerous religion is when mixed with politics, they are encouraging the erroneous belief that our political leaders should have God as their primary adviser. How tragically sad and pathetic the democrats continue to be even when it''s their time to shine.

[gunnerv1]

Good Luck Hussain!

[photogeezer]

No one is asking Obama to be an example of a "religious" person, or a paragon of virtue. His supporters believe that he might be fully knowledgable about issues before he makes decisions, choose wise and competent advisers, preserve the balance of powers outlined in our Constitution, and maintain a sense of humility in the exercise of his office. Bush has failed us miserably in all these respects.

No one needs to address this "moral majority" nonesense. Waging illegal and immmoral war and ignoring the needs of the living, while latching onto abortion and same-*** marriage as major issues is actually not what the majority of Americans believe. The "moral majority" is neither.

[hwy71so]

Satan quoted scripture when he was trying to tempt the Savior.

James said even the demons believe and tremble.

So, just because one embraces "religion", it doesn''t mean that person is religious/faithful. Indeed, the Bible says "for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God"...

[cfin5]

Knowledge is indeed the Sword of Good and Evil. And it obeys the name of it''s wielder.

[cfin5]

When Knowledge won''t hold Wisdoms hand, it whistles for Pride to come and do so.

[hwy71so]

Too often, people mistake education for wisdom. I mean education is a good thing, but putting that education to work is more important. If one doesn''t have the ability to put knowledge to work, then the knowledge is worthless. So, go ahead, hang that diploma on the wall. Doesn''t mean anything to me unless you can show your knowledge BY YOUR ACTIONS. Prove it up.

[hwy71so]

The more exceptions we make, the farther back we slide. We should be strong in our convictions, not a leaf on the breeze that dips and flutters with every draft.

The 60s and 70s brought in this distorted mentality that chaos is better than discipline.

The liberals are a product of this generation and no longer is decency the norm in this country. If one calls a person on indecency, the libs start shouting at the tops of their lungs that their rights are being violated. Well, MY rights are being violated by the libs forcing their warped mentality on me.

Its okay to mention God in public. The liberals call foul, saying its a violation of the seperation of church and state. Its okay to recite the pledge of allegience. The liberals call foul, saying its a prayer and violates the seperation of church and state. They''re WRONG.

People who discredit the Bible are in denial and I pity them.

[toolmangler-2009]

"Religion is seen by the common people as true, by the EDUCATED as false, and by the rulers as useful".
Seems the more worldly education one gets, the less moral wisdom one retains.

Posted by Hwy71So at 12:06 PM : Oct 16, 2007


That is possibly because the more people learn, the more they think they know, The self proclaimed ''wise men'' may not know GOD because they are too busy to be quiet, listen and learn.

[realpatriot1]

degress12,

Would you please share with us the great benefits of your superior intellect by explaining how Jesus was the first terrorist and how exactly he "spread his lazy unproductive murderous ways"?

Hwy71SO,

Many Christians and good people of other faiths recognize that they come up short but don''t feel that the so-called "Moral Majority" is immune from this condition.

Many people like myself who believe that women must make the moral decisions regarding their pregnancies also would like to see less abortions and more adoptions.

The "Moral Majority" could do more to promote a culture of life by not coming up so short in caring for the children who are here. Adoptions would be more productive than calling others baby-killers.

[realpatriot1]

terrorislam,

You''ve just made the liberal case for why there should be a system of checks and balances for government wiretapping.

Having to obtain warrants will insure that the need is legitimate and not being abused for illegitimate and/or political reasons.It prevents the kind of abuse that Hillary is accused of.

Abuse of wiretapping powers should concern all Americans whether being done by a Clinton or a Bush.

[terrorislam1]

LOOK WHO BROKE THE CONSTITUTION
GOP targeting Clinton on phone-call snooping
Republicans plan to seize on an allegation from the 1992 presidential campaign to tarnish Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) on the red-hot issue of government surveillance.
Government surveillance will be at the forefront of the political debate this fall as congressional Democrats and President Bush square off over legislation allowing electronic spying on U.S. soil without a warrant.
Republicans are focusing on an allegation in a recent book by two Pulitzer Prize-winning reporters, which suggests Clinton listened to a secretly recorded conversation between political opponents.
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/gop-targeting-clinton-on-phone-call-snooping-2007-10-16.html

[DaveGress]

hwy71so - you said - Jesus told the harlot to sin no more - who told you jesus said that? Wasn''t jesus the FIRST terrorist? Spreading his lazy unproductive murdering ways? That''s religion in case you are wondering.

[terrorislam1]

OUTED
THE LIBERAL MAIN MEDIA AND DEMONIC-RAT PROPOGANDA MACHINE

Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez what the media will not tell you,,,
The death knell of your ethics has been enabled by your parent organizations who have chosen to align themselves with political agendas. What is clear to me is that you are perpetuating the corrosive partisan politics that is destroying our country and killing our service members who are at war.
My assessment is that your profession, to some extent, has strayed from these ethical standards and allowed external agendas to manipulate what the American public sees on TV, what they read in our newspapers and what they see on the web. For some of you, just like some of our politicians, the truth is of little to no value if it does not fit your own preconceived notions, biases and agendas.
http://www.militaryreporters.org/sanchez_101207.html
Sanchez Blasts Media, But Media Only Highlight His Criticism of Bush
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/brent-baker/2007/10/15/sanchez-blasts-media-media-only-highlight-his-criticism-bush
Sanchez Assaults Drive-By Media
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_101507/content/01125112.guest.html
Retired general issues sharply worded rebuke of ''unscrupulous reporting''
http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2007/10/retired-general.html
Sanchez: Media''s Reporting of Iraq War Endangered Soldiers'' Lives
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,301676,00.html

[hwy71so]

"Religion is seen by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful."

Posted by gunownerdan at 09:42 AM : Oct 16, 2007"

Dan, that should be:
"Religion is seen by the common people as true, by the EDUCATED as false, and by the rulers as useful".

Seems the more worldly education one gets, the less moral wisdom one retains.

[hwy71so]

Let''s see;
Obama supports murdering babies and homosexual unions.

I''m pretty sure his moral values come up short. Jesus told the harlot to sin no more. Yet, this man, Obama, is like the Corinthians and accepting of immoral behavior.

I don''t think he is the appropriate person to regain the confidense of the moral majority. Actually, NONE of the Democrats; Clinton, Richardson, Edwards, Guiliani, Romney, or Obama meet this qualification. I think Hunter and Thompson come the closest, but they''re Republicans.

[photogeezer]

Some of you may be surprised at the number of Christians who do not subscribe to the notion of a loving God being pleased at the infliction of pain, suffering, torture and death on others of His children. We refuse to demonize *** or believers in Islam. Sen. Obama''s message makes sense to many of us. We also believe in separation of the affairs of church and state. I don''t want to hear of another President claiming God told him to inavde and occupy another country, when the reason is oil and nothing but oil.

[johnny343sc]

Obama bin Laden ain''t getting in as prez- no fear there. He''s too much of an idealist and doesn''t know what''s really going on in the world.

Nice that he''s pandering to the religious concerns, though... thanks to CBS for giving him free positive press as always.

What did you expect???

;)

[DaveGress]

mike71067 - I think the scarey part is that they ARE religious. I don''t want my political leaders getting their morals from an old man dressed in a clown suit (the pope) or another old man on TV (Pat Robertson). A real politician should use his head on morality.