Clinton And Obama Take Time To Talk Faith

Democratic Candidates Discuss Their Beliefs And The Role Of God In Their Lives

(CBS/AP)  Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said Sunday the potential for life begins at conception as she and presidential rival Sen. Barack Obama answered questions about faith and religion in both their personal lives and the public discourse.

In a forum devoted to an issue rare on the campaign trail, the two White House hopefuls talked about the presence of God in their lives and how often they read the Bible, as well as divisive issues including abortion, abstinence and human rights within the context of faith.

The two are reaching out to people of faith in Pennsylvania, which holds its primary on April 22. GOP nominee-in-waiting John McCain did not participate.

Clinton was asked whether life begins at conception - which abortion opponents contend is a reality that makes any termination of a pregnancy the ending of a life.

"I believe the potential for life begins at conception," Clinton said. "For me, it is also not only about a potential life. It is about the other lives involved. ... I have concluded, after great, you know, concern and searching my own mind and heart over many years... that individuals must be entrusted to make this profound decision, because the alternative would be such an intrusion of government authority that it would be very difficult to sustain in our kind of open society."

The New York senator added that abortion should remain legal, safe and rare.

The two candidates appeared separately at Messiah College near Harrisburg, Pa., and briefly met as Clinton left the stage and Obama took her place. The moment of pleasantries and handshakes belied days of angry accusations between the two over Obama's comments about bitter voters in small towns.

Obama lashed out at Clinton in an earlier Sunday appearance, mocking her vocal support for gun rights and saying her record in the Senate and as first lady belied her stated commitment to working class voters and their concerns.

Asked at the faith forum whether life begins at conception, Obama said he didn't know the answer.

"This is something that I have not, I think, come to a firm resolution on. I think it's very hard to know what that means, when life begins. Is it when a cell separates? Is it when the soul stirs? ... What I know, as I've said before, is that there is something extraordinarily powerful about potential life and that that has a moral weight to it that we take into consideration when we're having these debates."

Clinton is a Methodist. Obama is a member of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, where the retired pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, touched off a furor with sermons criticizing the United States. The words of Obama's pastor have dogged the campaign, and the candidate reiterated his condemnation of Wright's remarks but stood by his church.

"Pastors are imperfect. Certainly, the membership is imperfect. I, as somebody who is sitting in the pews as a sinner, is imperfect," he said. "And, you know, that doesn't detract from, I think, what the church is supposed to be about, which is to worship God and proclaim the good news."

Clinton said she has felt the gift of God in her life and said she makes decisions on tough moral issues such as abortion and the treatment of alleged terrorists after prayer, contemplation and study.

"I don't pretend to even believe that I know the answers to a lot of these questions," Clinton said. "I don't."

One of the toughest questions she faced was why God allows innocent people to suffer. Clinton said that has been the subject of much debate for generations, and added: "I don't know. I can't wait to ask him."

When asked if she thought God wanted her to be president, Clinton quipped, "I could be glib and say, well, we'll find out."

She said she doesn't presume anything about God and she thought Abraham Lincoln was right to not act as if God is on our side. "In fact, our mission should be on God's side," Clinton said.

[sgtrds]

Instead of the first woman or first black person to be elected president, the founding fathers most cherished dream will come true when the first true Atheist is elected. Then the true separation of state and mythology will be attained.

[samthetvcat]

Barack got a standing ovation and Hillary didn''t . . . I think true Christians who were confused about his ''bitter'' comments probably had their concerns put to rest when Barack opened up about how doing God''s work is humbling and that we''re all sinners, and in contrast Hillary had a hard time opening up and McCain didn''t even show up.

Combined with the release of Bill Clinton''s comments from 1991 that "the reason (George H. W. Bush''s tactic) works so well now is that you have all these economically insecure white people who are scared to death," and that he''s taken money from a company who helped the Chinese crack down on Tibet protesters as well as Columbian free-trade advocates, and well . . .

[tbweb]

The future U.S. President and Vice President chatting, how nice! They should kiss and make up now and get it over with, they need each other!

[libsrweak]

Posted by SgtRDS at 01:09 AM : Apr 14, 2008
+ report abuse

*******

then ever liberal''s dream of killing every christians, catholics and jews in this country would come true...

btw i think it would be a long while before that happens..most liberal athiests do not even know what being an athiest is all about..MOST, like you, thinks its bashing people WITH RELIGION

[tbweb]

I think this Obama video sealed the deal, if you did not see it, check it out!

Sen. Barack Obama''s response, in his own words, to his "bitter" remarks controversy thats brewing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc9PepjyDow

[cruiser111-2009]

What a borimg article

[cruiser111-2009]

So many idiots and yet so little time

[libra127]

in contrast Hillary had a hard time opening up

Posted by SamTheTVCat at 01:13 AM : Apr 14, 2008

I watched the entire 2hr forum and I completely disagree. I thought both candidates did quite well with extremely difficult questions.

[samthetvcat]

--"I watched the entire 2hr forum and I completely disagree."--
Posted by libra127

No doubt Hillary feels the same way, and will be completely befuddled if she doesn''t win Pennsylvania . . .

[historymaj]

Yes, lets pretend that canidates relgion matters - we all know that the past presidents and politicians who tolerated racism, sexism, and hate were athiests. Wait a minute, athiests can not get elected, my atoms what is going on here.

[shockinac]

That picture of them shaking hands and smiling at each other is Priceless!

[truth-hurts]

I don''t pay too much attention to people who make promises about things they have no control of. I''m not very good at being a follower either. I like to make my own decisions, chart my own course. I''m a critical thinker and I stay grounded in reality. These are just some of the reasons I won''t be voting for Obama.

[spinster2]

So Obama thinks rural americans go to church because their bitter at the goverment. Now what does that say about him and his church?

[samrensho]

This religious *** cracks me up. The only time Clinton said "Oh God" was when Monica was pulling a vacuum on his Havana.

[samthetvcat]

So here''s the latest from Huffington Post . . . Dickie Cheney challenged Hillary to a hunting match and Bill Clinton''s response was:

"*** Cheney and Hillary in the woods with guns?" President Clinton said at a campaign stop in Pittsburgh. "Boy, I like the sound of that."

Who says that about their wife knowing the last guy to go hunting with him was his FRIEND and still got his face shot off?!?

And in light of Cheney''s challenge, Hillary backed off her earlier Annie Oakley tales admitting "I fired a gun once, but I didn''t like it, and I didn''t recoil," she said.

What is wrong with these people?????

[realpatriot1]

Sam the TV Cat,

Hillary''s recounting of her trip to Bosnia has been misconstrued by the media.

What she meant to say was that sniper fire was anticipated which is why Bill sent her.

[samthetvcat]

realpatriot1 - LOL! :D

I''m getting REALLY tired of these sanctimonious Republicans acting like THEY actually care about small-town American when THEY''VE been the ones to screw over the little guy all these years with NAFTA and the China trade deals, the tax cuts for the rich, the transfer of money to the greedy corrupt via bailouts and lack of oversight, etc . . . MAN am I ever chomping at the bit to take these arrogant creeps on in the general. They''ve gotten overconfident because they managed to steal two elections out of the hands of more meritorious candidates in 00 and 04 by praying on peoples'' need to be told they''re ''patriotic'' rather than ''bitter'' while they''re getting screwed up the wazoo . . . I''m gambling that enough people are going to embrace the ''fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me'' mantra and kick the ''let them eat cake'' mantra the Right have been feeding them the last 8 years . . .

[xzonz]

I think Obama did well in the debate. when Hillary was asked why people suffer she stumbled. suffering is just a temporary state to make us stronger and also to appreciate and not take for granted the blessings that come our way

All in all religion and what we choose to believe in is the most personal thing

[gunownerdan]

"A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler whom they consider god-fearing and pious. On the other hand, they do less easily move against him, believing that he has the gods on his side."
-- Aristotle (384 - 322 BC)

[xlib]

sam-nafta was brought to us by bubba,ok. It''s still too early for you dems to rewrite that history. Wait a few years. As for the "***" of the little guy, take a closer, closre look at your own party. More Wall Street investors are donating to dem candidates. I do believe Wall St is one of the evil demons you people despise, correct. You are using the old class envy that your rich, smug politicans pull out to get the masses riled up.
Do some recent reserch on your party that is owned by a rich mutli-billionaire named soros.

[xlib]

sam-read your latest tirade. Say, after the hunting trip I hear hill, bill, teddy & his kie patrick went out for some refreshments and then went swimming.

IDIOT!!

[cfin5]

Ask either one of them if they think we all pray to the same god,......like President Bush said we do in 2003. Bet you get the same answer.

[samthetvcat]

Xlib, looks like I struck a nerve. Something else you might want to consider is that that fat *** Rush Limbaugh makes $35mil a YEAR to make you think there''s some sort of ''class warfare'' going on . . . do you REALLY feel like you''ve personally benefitted from free trade deals or is it just your belief that there''s something ''noble'' in ''personal responsibility'' as defined by these gazillionaires like Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity?

[gunownerdan]

"I believe today that I am acting in the sense of the Almighty Creator... I am fighting for the Lord''s work."
- Adolf Hitler, 1938

"May God Almighty give our work His blessing, strengthen our purpose, and endow us with wisdom and the trust of our people, for we are fighting not for ourselves but for Germany."
- Adolf Hitler, 1933 Berlin Speech

Hitler and the Church -
http://www.nobeliefs.com/nazis.htm

God With Us = Gott Mit Uns
http://www.nobeliefs.com/mementoes.htm

[samthetvcat]

liberalbias1, gunownerdan, xlib - are you all the same person? I guess it comes down to this - does it make you feel better to be given praise for being ''patriotic'' or does it make you ACTUALLY better off financially to be given the dignity of job security, ability to provide for your family, honor of being a valued contributor to the economy, and a bright future? With Repubs you get to pay for Rush Limbaugh''s $35mil a year salary, with Dems you get money paid to you by an American company who''ll value your work . . . what''s TRULY the plan for a stronger, more prosperous America? The days of settling can be over if you are willing to make a change . . .

[erichsh]

Just thought I''d check in to read the latest vile screeds from Christian-haters. Seems they''re scarce in this thread, though. Why is it only when Republicans discuss their faith that the Bible-bashers emerge from the woodwork?

[ioweign]

I find it quite amuzing that the Democrats only talk about their so-called "Faith" only during election time.

Any other time they''re pushing for the so-called "Separation of church and state"(which isn''t in the Constitution).

Can you say: Ploying voters for votes.


Posted by liberalbias1 at 07:39 AM : Apr 14, 2008

Ignorance is not an excuse...but in your case it can not be helped !

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people to peaceably assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." This is the First Amendment of the US. Constitution, the most important of our Bill of Rights.

[fibonacci_]

They have got to try to reach some of those people on the other side of the bell-curve - Christians and the like.

[ioweign]

Just thought I''''d check in to read the latest vile screeds from Christian-haters. Seems they''''re scarce in this thread, though. Why is it only when Republicans discuss their faith that the Bible-bashers emerge from the woodwork?

Posted by erichsh at 07:49 AM : Apr 14, 2008

I am a religious person and went to parochial school for twelve years. I firmly believe in the Separation of Church and State and no religious test.

[emelder]

Each candidate presented themself very well in this forum. An interesting set of questions. Nice job, Messiah College. Go Barrack!

[fibonacci_]

liberalbias1, give us a few Bible quotes.

[prinzowhales]

Too bad they aren''t shaking hands to seal a suicide pact agreement...for themselves, rather than the nation.

These are the two candidates of the party that has backed Bush on the Stupid Peoples'' War...Open Borders...Free Trade...and other destructive policies.

Do you really think that Wall Street and the City who are backing these two candidates, has suddenly reversed course on the war, NAFTA and Open Borders?

In 2004, the Kerry wanted MORE troops in Iraq...In 2006, the Democrats appealed to the votes of those who opposed the war and the Regime...they then backed the surge and continued occupation...

The Republics put out a ''Contract on America''...the Democrats want to make a Suicide Pact with America...

[dante805]

Lets have a look at SNOBAMA''s history of Lies and misstatements shall we (Part I):

Small Town Americans are bitter and cling to Guns or Religion. They are anti-immigrant, anti-free trade. %u2013 given at San Francisco fund raiser

%u201CTypical White People%u201D quote

More Blacks are in Prison today than in college

Abortions are better than being %u201CPunished" with a baby

Went with Farrakhan to the Half-million man march

Mis-statements on the number of casualties in IRAQ

Never attended a White Church (even though he and Michelle preach diversity)

His Wife is finally proud of America (1st statement) then she is really proud (2nd statement)

His flat declaration that lobbyists %u201Cwon''t work in my White House%u201D changed after it turned out his own written plan says they could, with some restrictions.

His wife wrote an essay on black separatists in Princeton

[dante805]

Part II

Told a story of how his Kenyan father and his Kansan mother fell in love because of the tumult of Selma, but he was born in 1961, four years before the confrontation at Selma took place. When asked later, Mr. Obama clarified himself, saying: ''I meant the whole civil rights movement.''

His Hate pastor gave Farrakahn an award and supports Hamas

Obama exaggerated the death toll of the tornado in Greensburg, Kansas, saying 10,000 people died %u2013 he was only off by 9,988. He was trying to tie the deaths to the lack of National Guard heavy equipment because of Iraq %u2013 also incorrect.

Obama caught with handwriting on Liberal Survey supporting unfettered Abortion and strict gun control

Obama still hasn%u2019t explained REZCO ties fully - Tribune stories linked Rezko to questionable fundraising for Gov. Rod Blagojevich in 2004 -- more than a year before the adjacent home and property purchases by the Obamas and the Rezkos

Several direct-mail pieces issued for Obama''s [Senate] campaign said he was a law professor at the University of Chicago. He was not. He was a senior lecturer at the school.

[jack3213]

THESE TWO PEOPLE ( OBAMA & CLINTON) ARE THE BIGGEST PHONEY''S I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE! FIRST THEY DEGRADE & DISRESPECT EACH OTHER THEN THEY SMILE, SHAKE HANDS, AND WANT TO DISCUSS FAITH??! ARE YOU f*n KIDDING ME!

[hhroams]

FAITH AND RELIGION THE REFUGE OF THE HYPOCRITES!!!!!!!

[hhroams]

McCain wants the religious fanatics to endorse and support him but cant seem to force himself to grovel in the trough of religion.(Oh, I''m sorry I remember the spin word for religion is now "faith").

[ioweign]

THESE TWO PEOPLE ( OBAMA & CLINTON) ARE THE BIGGEST PHONEY''''S I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE! FIRST THEY DEGRADE & DISRESPECT EACH OTHER THEN THEY SMILE, SHAKE HANDS, AND WANT TO DISCUSS FAITH??! ARE YOU f*n KIDDING ME!

Posted by jack3213 at 08:23 AM : Apr 14, 2008

Have either one of these candidates stated that "God" talks to them like Bush has claimed. That should trigger a "Fitness for Duty" inquiry.


Their belief in God or lack of belief is irrelevant. The Constitution states "No religious test for Office".

[rplat]

Both of those dolts are as phony as a $3 bill. Where in the world do they dig up these jokers. The Republic is in deep trouble.

[hhroams]

yes i''ll bet a lot of christians talk to god regularly, after 3 beers or joint!

Dubya tells that he talks to god, just after a snort of coke

[hhroams]

liberalbias1

I can see you on the end of the rope at the Salem witch trials or in your bed sheet and hood at a Mississippi lynching or standing with George Wallace professing your "Christanity" while he screams "Segregation today, segregation forever".

the more ardent christians are like the more ardent muslims and usually the most violent and bigotted.

[jockh]

The Clintons would lie on a stack of bibles; and Hillarys big problem is that voters know how easily the Clintons lie;

Misspeaking is one thing, repeating something over and over makes it a FLAT LIE !!
The Clintons simply cannot help themselves; they tell a big lie when a small lie will do. And they tell a small lie when the truth will do. After careful training from Bill, Hillary can lie out of both sides of her mouth at the same time even when there''s no particular reason to. She has told so many lies she cant remember the truth.
Lets face it, it takes a bare faced liar to confuse a hug from a little girl in Bosnia with the terror of running from sniper bullets. Not convinced? Maybe you think she confused it with those other occasions she had to run from sniper fire !!!

If you are inclined to overlook Clinton lies just because Hillary is your favorite for nomination then please take a moment to look at the trouble the country is in because of the lies of President Bush: one million Iraqis and over 4000 American servicemen dead; that%u2019s right DEAD, all because of lies. So you see, the lies of a President really do matter. God help America if the world famous misspeaking Clintons get elected.

[hhroams]

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or PROHIBITING the FREE EXERCISE THEREOF: posted by liberalbias1


What do you not understand liberalbias1 about this sentence? It clearly states that Congress (government) will not participate in religion in any fashion or act. It further says that it will not prohibit any religion or the practice of it. Commnon sense would say that Congress did not intend for you and your fanatic friends to be able to rule our government by your religious rules.

THere are a lot of us people that don''t want to participate and sure don''t want you spending our tax dollars for offerings to false gods that everyone dreams up every few years.................

[dorlockt]

Misspeaking is one thing, repeating something over and over makes it a FLAT LIE !!

Posted by jockh at 08:53 AM : Apr 14, 2008

Even simpler than that, how many times have you slipped and accidentally said "sniper fire" ? Just the fact that she even says she "misspoke" about the incident, is a flat out lie!

[ekucrew]

Clinton was asked if she believes in the Holy Trinity, Obama was not asked.....hmmmm. He had time to insert that in his 30 second blitz of blabber campaign promises at the end of the forum.

Campbell Brown is the new media rep for Barack Obama fan club.

[fibonacci_]

I am personally against abortion, I think it is a pretty lame decision. But I do not insist on telling other people (especially women) what they can or cannot do with their body within reason. Killing a fetus that is the size of a pencil eraser is not especially sad to me personally. It might shock some little Christian brains to know that MOST OF THE TIME when sperm fertilizes an egg, the pregnancy fails. And you guys call US "LIBS" bleeding hearts, lol.

[hhroams]

liberalbias1

I dont have any shortfalls in life such as drinking to excess, drugs etc, it wasn''t a matter of religion but common sense something most religious fanatics have little use for.

I listen to the pious who shout the usual lines who claim they are born-again saved and perfect etc, some of whom have been married 4 times, children by several different spouses etc, in other words they have memory lapses. I do render respect to JOhn McCain for the service he rendered this country as a military man and the suffering he endured but I don''t care about his religion as long as it does not affect his judgment as a US Senator and potential President.

When I hear Dubya saying that he talks to god about decisions it scares me. I''ve heard many people justify racism, bigotry, prejudice based on their religion and that they talk to god to help them make their decisions!!!!!!!!!!

[hhroams]

fsw3

at last a reasonable intelligent person!!!!

[blackspirit3]

I guess Hillary drinking in a bar filled with men esteem most women with little girls to raise. They can%u2019t wait till their daughters are old enough to sit in bars and drink shots with the fella%u2019s. She is a true role model for females across the country. wow she so spiritually sound.

[fibonacci_]

Murdering the unborn should remain legal.

That''''s the twisted mentality of atheist libs.

Posted by liberalbias1

Stop being such a bleeding heart.