Obama's choice of evangelical pastor draws ire ASSOCIATED PRESS Thursday, December 18, 2008 Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California and author of the best-selling Christian book of 2004, âThe Purpose-Driven Life,â poses Jan. 10, 2005, at his church in Lake Forest, Calif. Warren says he wrote the book to save souls but even he was surprised when a man who shot his way out of an Atlanta courthouse in early March found God in his words and surrendered. Associated Press. WASHINGTON (AP) -- Gay rights advocates are criticizing President-elect Barack Obama's choice of a popular evangelical minister to deliver the invocation at his inauguration, saying it shows disrespect for a constituency that strongly supported his campaign. Pastor Rick Warren, a best-selling author and leader of a Southern California megachurch, is one of a new breed of evangelicals who stress the need for action on social issues such as reducing poverty and protecting the environment, alongside traditional theological themes. But the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest gay rights organization, said Warren's opposition to gay marriage is a sign of intolerance. "We feel a deep level of disrespect when one of the architects and promoters of an anti-gay agenda is given the prominence and the pulpit of your historic nomination," the group said in a letter to Obama, asking him to reconsider. Obama's selection of Warren is seen as a signal to religious conservatives that the president-elect will listen to their views. During the campaign, Warren interviewed Obama and Republican John McCain in a widely watched television program that focused on religious concerns. Gay rights advocates say they are troubled by Warren's support for a California ballot initiative banning gay marriage, approved by voters last month. "By inviting Rick Warren to your inauguration, you have tarnished the view that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans have a place at your table," the letter said.
Yet another telltale sign of "sordid Chicago politics" being played out. Could it be that Obama makes his own decisions and does not kow-tow to "noise"? "A wise man makes his own decisions; an ignorant man follows public opinion.â Alas, that seems a bit far-fetched for a sycophant, self-serving Chicago politician with alleged ties to the Chicago underworld (mostly going by the pedantic pundits at ET). Oh well, surely there must be a sinister ulterior motive behind moves such as these? This can't be about inclusion, about bringing people together,about moving more to the center? Oh no, that would be unthinkable and highly implausible. As a matter of fact, Warren was noticeably pro McCain. Anybody that watched his interview with Larry King would have seen Warren tear up while extolling the virtues of McCain.
"Gay rights advocates are criticizing President-elect Barack Obama's choice of a popular evangelical minister to deliver the invocation at his inauguration, saying it shows disrespect for a constituency that strongly supported his campaign. " translation: "He f--ked us up the a-s, and not in a way we like"
Good point. Democrats have made a real effort to peel off some of the Evangelical vote. Mostly they are kidding themselves, as their positions on abortion and gay rights are anathema to most Evangelicals. Still, getting a prominent Evangelical to do his Inaugural is a powerful symbolic jesture. Warren has tried to market himself as separate from the traditional Evangelical movement. In his own way he is as slick as Obama. He claims to want to move away from the Evangelical political preoccupation, but he ends up in the most politicized ceremony imaginable. Both are risking alienating their own followers, Obama more so than Warren I would think.
Keep living in fantasyland. "Peeling off the evangelical vote" is the least of Obama's priorities right now. There are four years and change left before contemplating such activities.
I guessed you could try to politicize everything. Obama just happens to like and admire Rick Warren and that is about the only reason he was invited. Calling everybody slick is easy, I wonder how many of you give away 98% of your income as Rick Warren does?