Obama, McCain And The Evangelical Divide

CBSNews.com Reports: As Candidates Sit Down With "New Evangelical" Rick Warren, Some Urge Renewed Focus On Abortion, Marriage

(CBS)  This story was written by CBSNews.com political reporter Brian Montopoli.

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Tomorrow's "civil forum" at California's Saddleback Church won't just be the first joint appearance of the 2008 campaign for Barack Obama and John McCain.

It will also be a key moment in the evangelical community's effort to define itself - and its role in politics - in the post George W. Bush era.

The founding pastor of the 23,000-member Saddleback Church is "Purpose-Driven Life" author Rick Warren. Perhaps the most prominent so-called "new evangelical" in the country, Warren focuses more on issues like AIDS, poverty, human rights and the environment than on social issues, chief among them abortion and gay marriage, that have been the focus of traditional evangelicals in recent years.

And the fact that Obama and McCain have chosen to reach out to evangelicals via Warren - who speaks of uniting ideological opposites and has declined to back either candidate - has not gone unnoticed. After all, it was just four years ago that Mr. Bush won reelection in part by driving up turnout amongst evangelicals who seemed to be galvanized by his rhetoric on social issues.

"Warren is the guy now," said Steven Waldman, editor-in-chief of Beliefnet.com. "He's the leading evangelical figure. He's trying to craft a new direction, a new image for evangelicals. The fact that this is happening at Saddleback, not Focus on the Family, makes it more neutral ground. It's an audience that both Obama and McCain have a real shot at getting."

Hours before Obama and McCain take the stage at Saddleback, however, a very different evangelical gathering will be taking place at the National Mall. There, according to Lou Engle, founder of TheCall, thousands of evangelicals will gather for "cross-denominational solemn assembly" to pray and push evangelicals to keep marriage and abortion front and center in their minds.

Engle says his effort, which has the support of former Arkansas Governor and presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins and other prominent religious figures, was not designed to counter Warren's forum. (He says it was planned long before Warren's event was announced.) But he adds that new evangelicals like Warren tend to "take up the causes that are politically correct, and don't want to take up issues that are controversial."

"We're not at war with Rick Warren," Engle said. "We thank God for his emphasis. But it's interesting that [the candidates are] going to a voice that has been somewhat silent on the great foundational issues of abortion and marriage, even though he would stand for those."

Engle said he is concerned about the future of the evangelical movement, since "there aren't clear voices delineating truth." He insisted that marriage and abortion have to remain at the center of the movement, or "we are in danger of losing this whole country to the secularism of Europe."

Huckabee, who calls Warren a "close personal friend" and compares him to Billy Graham, said he signed onto Engle's effort because it represents an effort to "call upon believers" to affirm a pro-life position, which he calls a "non-partisan issue."

"I don't see any conflict at all, and if there was I wouldn't be a part of it," Huckabee said. "I'm focused on the same thing Rick Warren is focused on. I think evangelicals must be talking about disease and poverty."

Perkins of the Family Research Council, a traditional evangelical, said he expects Warren not to ignore the issues that Engle is spotlighting.

"I believe that Pastor Rick is going to ask a wide range of questions, and I believe he will ask questions about issues of life, efforts to redefine marriage, the importance of family, and other issues that are of concern to traditional evangelicals," said Perkins.

"I don't know how hard he will press - it's sort of a new role for him," Perkins added.

On CBS’ The Early Show this morning, Warren said he would ask the candidates about “questions of political stewardship,” “leadership questions,” “worldview issues,” and America's role overseas. It was in the “worldview issues” portion of the forum, he said, where candidates would be asked the “minefield” questions where “no matter what you answer, somebody’s going to disagree with you.”

“It’s going to be a pretty well-rounded conversation,” Warren said. He argued that “there are a lot of Americans who feel disaffected by both the left and the right” and who agree with some issues on both sides of the traditional political divide.

In 2004, Warren flirted with "using his influence to become the next Jerry Falwell or James Dobson," as Time put it, informally backing Mr. Bush and emphasizing issues like abortion and stem-cell research in an email to several thousand pastors.

He says he shifted to a focus on issues like poverty after hearing a message from God. Because of Warren's outsize influence, that shift could have crucial implications for the presidential race.

"The fight all comes down to abortion and gays," Waldman said. "If you don't just focus on those two issues, if you say there are a variety of issues that ought to be of concern to evangelicals, you can plausibly see evangelicals saying Obama is better on the first three, McCain is better on the last two."

According to Waldman, about 40 percent of evangelicals now describe themselves as moderate or liberal. Some estimates put the U.S. evangelical population close to 100 million.

"McCain and the Republicans need to have evangelicals vote mostly on social issues," he said. "If they do that, they'll vote McCain. Obama is a very strong candidate to appeal to moderate evangelicals. He talks about his faith in a compelling way and appeals to them on poverty, the environment, and the desire for change."

A recent poll showed Obama leading McCain among Christians, including born-again Christians. McCain's lead among self-identified evangelicals was just two percentage points. (In a recent CBS News poll, McCain's lead among white evangelicals was much higher -- 24 points.)

Most evangelicals remain strongly pro-life, and they don't like what they're hearing from the pro-choice presumptive Democratic nominee. (Gay marriage, by contrast, has faded as a key issue for young evangelicals.) Recently, conservatives have begun to focus on Obama's opposition as a state senator to the Born-Alive Infant Protection Act, designed to require care for infants who survive a rare type of abortion.

Obama said he would have supported similar federal legislation, which was approved, had he been in Congress at the time. His campaign this week sent an email to reporters saying that Obama opposed the state legislation because it included language that could have been used to challenge Roe v. Wade.

Though McCain has never been a favorite of social conservatives, he has long been staunchly pro-life, and would benefit if evangelicals focus more on abortion than some of the other issues Warren will likely spotlight tomorrow.

Engle has declined to endorse a candidate and says he has his reservations about McCain. But he saves his harshest rhetoric for Obama, whose beliefs, he said, "counter my convictions and the convictions of masses of believing Americans."

"I think the church is in danger of a deception of being courted by Senator Obama," he said. "And they don't really know the truth."

[johnpotus]

Obama told a crowd of his loony supporters: "Look, I got two daughters %u2014 9 years old and 6 years old," he said. "I am going to teach them first about values and morals, but if they make a mistake, I don''t want them punished with a baby."

No, he doesn''t want to punish his daughters. He wants to punish the innocent and helpless baby by cold-bloodedly murdering it.

This man cannot be a Christian. He is the anti-Christ.

[obama8years]

Why does Obama choose his answers carefully. Obama knows how to dance around questions. Dance Obama, Dance. Dont let the brainwashing of Rev Wright Slip out!

MCCAIN 08

[obama8years]

Where did Obama get his 51 Million this month. I find it hillarious that he is asking his supporters for 5.00 to donate.

Palestinian brothers inside the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip are listed in government election filings as having donated $29,521.54 to Sen. Barack Obama''s campaign.

Donations of this nature would violate election laws, including prohibitions on receiving contributions from foreigners and guidelines against accepting more than $2,300 from one individual during a single election, Bob Biersack, a spokesman for the Federal Election Commission, told WND in response to a query.

The contributions also raise numerous questions about the Obama campaign''s lax online donation form, which apparently allows for the possibility of foreign contributions.

[obama8years]

McCain just made me proud to be an American.I will be walking door to door.America needs John McCain.
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I feel the same way, the MSM has been rooting for Obama , while Mccain has quietly been visiting american towns and talking to the people. OBama goes to Berlin and speaks to 200k during a free concert and then he goes works out instead of visiting wounded troops.

[wellhell3]

Liberal McCain just lied to America. He does not believe in god, as evidenced by his pro-abortion, pro-gay rights positions.


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Posted by Voltaire777 at 10:11 PM : Aug 16, 2008

Ummm, yeah, right, sure.

[terrorislamx]

he should ask HUSSEIN to sing the call to prayer and then the american national anthem,,,

HUSSEIN SAYS MUSLIM CALL TO PRAYER IS ONE OF THE PRETTIEST SOUNDS ON EARTH AT SUNSET

%u201CI was a little Jakarta street kid,%u201D Obama said in a wide-ranging interview in his office (excerpts are on Nicholas D. Kristofs''''s blog, http://www.nytimes.com/ontheground). He once got in trouble for making faces during Koran study classes in his elementary school, but a president is less likely to stereotype Muslims as fanatics %u2014 and more likely to be aware of their nationalism %u2014 if he once studied the Koran with them.

Mr. Obama recalled the opening lines of the Arabic call to prayer, reciting them with a first-rate accent. In a remark that seemed delightfully uncalculated (it%u2019ll give Alabama voters heart attacks), Mr. Obama described the call to prayer as %u201Cone of the prettiest sounds on Earth at sunset.%u201D
http://select.nytimes.com/2007/03/06/opinion/06kristof.html?_r=2&scp=5&sq=nicholas+kristof%20obama&st=nyt&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

[CptRick]

Hey Voltaire,
You evidently have a very closed mind - and ears.
At least McCain does have GOD as part of his life --- and has had him all his life --- not just the past convenient 18 or 20 years that Mr Muslim - Hussien Obama says he is a christian. I believe he has much ''muslim'' thought as gained from his first 20 years of life, his muslim schooling, his father, etc..
I look at what they have done - not what they say they have done. I guess you did not hear what
McCain said or did.

[CptRick]

McCain really blew away Hussein Obama. Anyone can see that McCain looked like, sounded like, acted like, and made himself appear to be a leader of men --- a presidential leader of men and the world.
Hussein is a lawyer jerk that probably still sympathises with the muslims.. He lied again about his stance on abortion. Could he (Hussien O) be one of those closet muslims that is willing to spend his entire life preparing to do his evil against christians? I am a patriot and hate to think of the posibility that Hussien Obama might try to lead our country and the world with ultra liberal methods. Socialism (and Communism) has failed --- just look at history... yet H.O. wants everything for everyone to be equal --- of course that does not mean the rich democrats... they will still be allowed to persue happiness and reward.

[mr2258]

McCain just made me proud to be an American.I will be walking door to door.America needs John McCain.

[wellhell3]

Dear Evangelicals:

McCain is taking you for granted and mocking everything that''''s dear to you. He is pro-gay and pro-abortion! Whatever are you going to do about it?

LMAO!


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Posted by Voltaire777 at 08:28 PM : Aug 16, 2008

What are the democrats going to do with their gay blade Muslim anti-American candidate? Pray? Seems like they kicked God out of the country, doesn''t look like prayers will do any good.

[trrrorislamx]

FASCIST NAZI TERRORISLAM IS THE PROBLEM,,,

DEMONIC-RAT HUSSEIN IS NOT THE SOLUTION,,,

EXPOSE HUSSEIN
http://www.exposeobama.com/obamaislam.html

www.obamatruth.org

www.stop-obama.org

A Video Portrait Of Barack Hussein Obama
http://www.eyeblast.tv/public/video.aspx?RsrcID=2036

The Barack Obama Test
http://www.americanthinker.com/2007/02/the_barack_obama_test.html

Obama-Odinga-Rezko-Ayers-Auchi-Saddam Hussein
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIe4d9Nmg9k

Raila Odinga was also financially backed by Muammar al-Gaddafi. Raila Odinga is Obama''s cousin:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/717...

Why does Raila Odinga use Obama''s exact same campaign slogan: CHANGE....Vote for CHANGE: Look at his website:
http://www.raila07.com/


IMPEACH HUSSEIN NOW,,,

SIGN THE PETITION

Impeach, expel Barack Obama
http://obamaimpeachment.org

HUSSEIN IS NO COMMANDER IN CHIEF,,, lol

McCain Tops Obama in Commander-in-Chief Test; Stays Competitive on Iraq

Poll Finds 72 Percent of Americans Say McCain Would be Good Commander-in-Chief
http://abcnews.go.com/PollingUnit/Politics/Story?id=5370538&page=1

Obama: Commander-in-(mis)chief?
http://english.aljazeera.net/focus/imperium/2008/07/200872011345855233.html

[wellhell3]

%u201CIf you look at folks of color, even women, they%u2019re more successful in the Democratic Party than they are in the white, uh, excuse me, in the Republican Party,%u201D Dean said Friday in an appearance on NPR%u2019s %u201CTell Me More%u201D program.

Hahahahaha! Look who''s getting his butt raked over the coals for deliberate racist comments! Stirring the pot of disscent are ya, Howie? I''m sure we can look for more of this ***** until November! Racist pig!

[wellhell3]

Posted by WellHell3 at 04:11 PM : Aug 16, 2008

Like the switch of positions on offshore drilling led to mccain flooding his campaign coffers by oil money. so much for the straight talk express.


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Posted by zerato at 04:18 PM : Aug 16, 2008

Brilliant move by McCain, wouldn''t you say? Smart guy!

[wellhell3]

In fighting is not unusual when you have people that have a propensity to believe in myth. In ancient Mesopotamia they could run down the road to the next town and their Gods may have slightly different names but performed the same function, but that is enough to warrant war!


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Posted by curse914 at 05:17 PM : Aug 16, 2008

Yeah, look at the infighting in the democratic party, and it''s athiest supporters, now there''s a real HOOT!

[wellhell3]

I think Exxon-John MCSame practices the dark arts and summons minions of demons from hel to vote for the GOP ticket, bent on serving Satan. He may have the 666 tatoo on his wrinkled, pasty-white arse. His real name is...


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Posted by RandyNason at 04:37 PM : Aug 16, 2008

Actually you should say Exxon-Obscamma, he''s taken more from Exxon than McCain has...check out some facts once in awhile will ya?

[randynason]

Nicholas D. Kristof is a renowned hack who is well known for suking professional dik to get ahead with his dead-end career. Kinda like the way you run your own life, bro.

[trrrorislamx]

he should ask HUSSEIN to sing the call to prayer and then the american national anthem,,,

HUSSEIN SAYS MUSLIM CALL TO PRAYER IS ONE OF THE PRETTIEST SOUNDS ON EARTH AT SUNSET

%u201CI was a little Jakarta street kid,%u201D Obama said in a wide-ranging interview in his office (excerpts are on Nicholas D. Kristofs''s blog, http://www.nytimes.com/ontheground). He once got in trouble for making faces during Koran study classes in his elementary school, but a president is less likely to stereotype Muslims as fanatics %u2014 and more likely to be aware of their nationalism %u2014 if he once studied the Koran with them.

Mr. Obama recalled the opening lines of the Arabic call to prayer, reciting them with a first-rate accent. In a remark that seemed delightfully uncalculated (it%u2019ll give Alabama voters heart attacks), Mr. Obama described the call to prayer as %u201Cone of the prettiest sounds on Earth at sunset.%u201D
http://select.nytimes.com/2007/03/06/opinion/06kristof.html?_r=2&scp=5&sq=nicholas+kristof%20obama&st=nyt&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

[randynason]

I think Exxon-John MCSame practices the dark arts and summons minions of demons from hel to vote for the GOP ticket, bent on serving Satan. He may have the 666 tatoo on his wrinkled, pasty-white arse. His real name is...

[victor0803]

Hillary Clinton has 17million die hard fans. If this is true, let them contribute $1.5 each to enable her pay her $25million dept or else I don%u2019t ever want to hear anything about die hard ***!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[zerato-2009]

Fools and their money are always easily parted. Look at the televangelists.

Posted by WellHell3 at 04:14 PM : Aug 16, 2008

Watch out that is the republican base