Sen. Obama, Evangelicals and the community of faith.

It has been interesting to read about the response of some evangelicals to Sen. Obama being invited to speak at an AIDS conference sponsored by Pastor Rick Warren. Apparently due to the Senator's stand on abortion and some other issues some feel he should not be invited to speak.

How this helps Senator Obama.

The hardcore evangelicals who use issues like abortion as a litmus test were never going to be Sen. Obama supporters anyway.

However a larger set of American Christians I think will respond positively because I suspect that to some extent they have started to grow tired of the role of faith in public life being reduced to stands on a select number of social issues.

I really feel this is going to be the key for Democrats in reaching out to evangelicals and Christians in general, using faith to explain why people and by extension their governments have a responsibility to help others. That the role of faith and morality is not just to judge but to aid. Look at who is still a work down in the areas hit by last years storms, it's the church. Why, because they have the organizations to get the job done, yes. But also because their members have a real desire to serve. Sen. Obama speaking about how the church can and should serve to make the world a better place will be an effective message.

You don't need to get a large number of people on your side, even a small percentage can make a huge difference. I think Sen. Obama has a unique opportunity to frame the discussion on faith and public policy and it seems he realizes it.

MSNBC Has Some on Obama Vs. Clinton

MSNBC has a item about the differences between Sen.Obama and Sen. Clinton.

The also have a link to a Draft Obama site.

Hmmmmm

From The Des Moies Register It appears that the senator has been droping some dimes on people in Iowa. I suggest you read the story.

After Warner decided in October that he would not run for president, Appleby got in touch with Obama's people.

"I have talked with the Obama people, and I have agreed to do some initial stuff for him, pending his making the decision to go or not to go," Appleby said.

"They tell me he will make a decision within a couple of weeks."

Edwards says Sen. Obama should run for President

From The AP

South Carolina: Former North Carolina Senator John Edwards is not yet willing to commit to another run for president, but the 2004 Democratic nominee for vice president said Sunday that Illinois Senator Barack Obama should get into the race.

This should encourage Sen. Obama, then again what else could he really say...

If you were wondering what a NYT link is worth...

About 500 hits...

For more Web fun... OneMan's Thoughts

The Trib has some insight about Obama's thought process.

OneMan.

Obama to Speak at Saddleback.

Sen. Obama is scheduled to speak at Saddleback church with 20,000 members on December 1st (World AIDS Day). The Trib has the scoop.

Some thoughs on Obama endorsemt of Todd Stronger

Zorn has some thoughts

So, let's get started, shall we?

Obama's staff released a profoundly disheartening letter to voters this week in which Obama, joined by Sen. Dick Durbin, endorsed Cook County Board presidential candidate Todd Stroger.

The letter, which puffs lots of hot air into the saggy balloon of Stroger's legislative resume, refers to him as "a good progressive Democrat" who will "lead us into a new era of Cook County government."

Todd Stroger was a "strong voice" in Springfield, the letter says. He has "worked assiduously" for the poor as an alderman. Yet, of course, the record reveals that Stroger is an unimaginative legislative drone whose reform credentials are wholly imaginary--an unlikely trailblazer to a new era.