Obama Making Christian Push

Obama Making Christian Push

www.washingtonpost.com

WASHINGTON -- With the Democratic presidential nomination in his grasp, Sen. Barack Obama is making a full-throttle push for centrist evangelicals and Catholics.

It's a move that's caught some conservative evangelicals off guard. They say they are surprised and dismayed to see a liberal-minded politician attempting to conscript their troops. At the same time, they say that Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has done little to court their affections.

"I've never seen anything quite like it before," said evangelical author Stephen Mansfield, who wrote "The Faith of George W. Bush" and has a forthcoming book about Obama.

"To be running against a dyed-in-the-wool Republican, and to be reaching into the Christian community as wisely and knowledgeably as (Obama) is -- understanding their terms and their values -- is just remarkable."

(visit the link for the full news article)

I am beginning to think that Brack Obama for all of his inexperience is the most savvy politician to come along in years, maybe generations.

Note the article says that at the same time John McCain who really needs the evangelic block has done little to court them.

www.washingtonpost.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

reply to post by grover


And that's why some feel he may be the antichrist. Obama is no christian and at best a nominal Muslim. He went to a Marxist race baiting church for decades, he is tainted with corruption, and wants to implement a socialist 'paradise'. No doubt he would accept worship if offered to him.

No thanks, this is one christian that will not be voting for the obama-nation.

reply to post by SevenThunders


Oh please spare me your tripe.

easy on the Kool aid.
I figured that anyone who would believe Obama was the Anti-christ would have left on Hale Bop already.

Maybe I don't get the whole anti christ thing? I figured that the dude would be all powerful here on Earth. He would look like a Mit Romney.
Running for President wouldn't be his style either. The anti christ would be coming after people like you. He would be preaching his fire and brimstone to the Christian fundamentalists. Corrupt and pervert you guys. Turn you into Sith followers.

But running for President? What a waste of time for someone that has all the power they need in the first place. Why draw the attention?

I hope you are right though, because if Obama was the anti christ than he sure isn't all powerful or very smart. I mean why would he pick a church to attend that would give him negative attention? Why would he choose to be Black when he needs the rednecks as much as he needs the fundamentalist (often found in combination) How dumb is this anti christ of yours? Yeah, I think having "Hussein" as a middle name was a stroke of genius too??? Just what I would do to win you fundamentalist over, make you think that I was Muslim.

...I'm not attacking your "religion" (well maybe your form of it) I am Christian myself. I am just telling you that the "anti christ" will be coming for you guys first because you are the easiest to turn. You live and breathe intolerance as it is, he just needs to tweek it to serve his purpose.
You should be looking at your televangelists for your anti christ when he comes.
(no...i don't believe there is or will be an anti christ. no...i don't think for a second this post will open your eyes to any truth or will you see how illogical it is for Obama to be "your" anti christ, even playing by your rules to explain why it isn't so.)
Nobody is going to convince you that Obama isn't Muslim either, are they?

Originally posted by grover
reply to post by SevenThunders

 

Oh please spare me your tripe.

well now, I could have saved myself the effort if I read this first.

reply to post by SevenThunders


Nice post!

But don't you know that criticizing Barack Hussein Obama automatically makes you a racist?

Then worse, you had the nerve to compare Hussein Obama to the Anti-Christ. You can tell by the responses that you have offended the people who look at Hussein Obama, and believe he is the next messiah.

Instead of comparing Hussein Obama to the Anti-Christ, I like to compare him to a gypsy, fortuneteller, or an astrologist. His constant use of hollow catchphrases like, hope, change, and future, you know, words that mean all things to all people. People have been falling for these tricks for centuries, so don't expect that to change any time soon.

As far as Grover's response. I wouldn't expect anything else. Liberals have perfected condisention. That is just classic!

reply to post by RRconservative


Funny enough, the only two people that have brought up race baiting, and racism are you and the person you're patting on the back.

Of course Obama is going to flirt with the churches, he's a politician.

And of course there are those that are so tied up in their left/right wing flurry of confusion that they'll never stop to look at a larger picture, and we'll be left with one of two morons running this country.

reply to post by RRconservative


I always look forward to your posts RR... they are kinda like marshmellow fluff... no serious content at all. You should really write for television.

No one considers Obama a messiah, political or otherwise.

And I haven't accused you or anyone of being a racist for not liking Obama unless your words prove it so.

Originally posted by RRconservative
But don't you know that criticizing Barack Hussein Obama automatically makes you a racist?

No.

It doesn't.

Proclaiming that it does makes the person making that claim look ignorant though.

If you don't support Obama, you aren't racist.

If you try and perpetuate the myth that people think that way, then you are deliberately spreading propaganda in order to smear.

This election is about politics. Not race.

This is ATS.

We're colourblind.

We deny ignorance here.

And you have been here for two years, and you really should know better by now.

WTF?
Did someone call someone racist? Obama the Messiah????
Are there a bunch of posters that I have on my ignore list so I missed the posts that said any of this?
Are your type of people strong in numbers? Maybe I should be concerned. I assumed that they mostly lived in West Virginia.
Is there any chance of educating any of you on some of this?
Could you guys just bash Obama for his political and social views and not resort to some whack stuff like he is the anti christ or liberals think he is the Messiah.
I'll even give you some "strategery" that will make your anti Obama arguments.....sound....at least sane.
Drop the "Hussien" the Muslim rhetoric. Some of us don't fear Muslims like you or yours do. Some of us don't find some hidden mystics in a name either. Find a policy you hate of his and use that. This other stuff just makes you look like a lunatic.
I kid you not, your type of argument as it is, is going to turn some "could care less who is President" types into wanting to vote for Obama just to spite the crazy mantra they are hearing from the way far Christian right.
What I'm saying is....you are helping win voters for Obama by ranting about how he is the anti christ and the like.

[edit on 21-6-2008 by Res Ipsa]

I maintain and I have maintained that whether you like Barack Obama or not really does not matter, that is your right as an American...

... I do believe that any criticism of him, or McCain should be based on their record and their policies... to make an issue of Obama's race or his middle name (which is a common name used by both Muslims and Christians, Arabs and non-Arabs alike over a wide sweep of the mid-east and north and eastern Africa) and the like is counter-productive and does nothing but muddy the waters and is of no benefit whatsoever.

If you can't discuss his policies and voting record, or McCain's so that we can reach an informed and sober consensus...

... then its better that you shut up and let more sober minds talk.

i'm a christian too. i don't think obama is the antichrist. at least, not yet. if he is, there's not a thing anyone could do to change it, at least, not that i'm aware of. sounds like a plan though. pray that the antichrist become a christian. novel idea. we could just keep praying all the contenders for the antichrist throne threw the pearly gates and never have to visit that horrible scenario. hey, it worked for nineveh!

Obama becomes more and more like GW every day. I have to wonder how Obama is going to court the Christian right with his pro-abortion stance, that tends to be a deal breaker among that crowd. Maybe Obama will be giving them the wink wink on the abortion position. But hey, those people have to be the most gullible group in the country.

If I was McCain, I would concentrate on wooing CA and NY while Obama was reaching out to the Christian right. Post a bunch of ads on Obama's abortion stance in October, and they'll all return to the right wing fold.

"Liberal" values--feeding the hungry, visiting the sick and afflicted and those in prison, having compassion for the poor, etc.--are more aligned with what I understand Christianity to be than conservative ones. The conservatives are only interested in making the rich richer. Obama is a sincere Christian (whatever one may think of his church) and I see nothing contradictory or conniving about his outreach to evangelicals and other Christians. He may have a problem with his pro-choice position, though not all Christians are anti-choice. He has more to offer Christians than any candidate we've had in a long time.

Originally posted by grover
I am beginning to think that Brack Obama for all of his inexperience is the most savvy politician to come along in years, maybe generations.

I agree. And not as an insult, either. He's savvy. But he is a Christian and I see no reason he shouldn't appeal to Christian voters. The article makes a good point in that he's been a devout and (as Sestias says) sincere Christian for years and can talk in terms they relate to. I think it's great.

Note the article says that at the same time John McCain who really needs the evangelic block has done little to court them.

He may think he's got the Christian vote wrapped up and doesn't need to pay attention to them. He better get on the ball.

I know this thread is a bit baiting, and I don't want to get too involved, but it seems to me that the press is the most concerned with writing us off into groups.

Separate, divide, and place us head to head.

No, the OP did not bring up race. I saw Obama do it three different times yesterday though. Then I read the crap you guys wrote. Then I saw his very curious video for his campaign. Then I read more crap on another thread.

The fact remains that OBAMA IS GOING AFTER THE SAME GROUP HE CLAIMED "CLUNG TO THEIR GUNS AND FAITH".

(singing) Wait until the fall, when the truth comes to the front.
He lies and changes everything, his pastor he will punt.
And in case we all forget the fact, Mccain is Bush Part deux,
He'll fill sandbags for ten minutes, and tell you 'bout it too. (and....done)

So basically, this is all a joke. We can't stick to issues, How do you debate a "present" vote?



The crap reference was not an issue of quality or intended disrespect.

[edit on 21-6-2008 by jasonjnelson]

[edit on 21-6-2008 by jasonjnelson]

reply to post by poet1b

I have to wonder how Obama is going to court the Christian right with his pro-abortion stance, that tends to be a deal breaker among that crowd.

He's not trying to appeal to the "Christian Right" at all: you are correct, that would be almost totally pointless.

What he is trying to do is appeal to the vast bulk of American Christians, who tend to get ignored because they are not the "religious right." Most American Christians, including Evangelicals (who are in reality a very diverse group), are fed up with being pigeonholed as ignorant troglodytes because the religious right that claims to represent them.

In actuality, the "Christian right" are a small but extremely vocal minority among Christians. Just like the Islamists are among Muslims.

Read the New Testament some time - Jesus's message is about fairness, compassion, charity, understanding etc... not ranting about gays and abortion

I'm not a Christian, but I do know a lot of sincere Christians, and most of them dislike the religious right even more than I do.

Originally posted by neformore
This election is about politics. Not race.

You're 100% correct neformore. Unfortunately politics also involves the discussion of the candidates, not just their stance on a few select issues.

Race should have no bearing on a candidates fitness to run for office, but to say we should totally disregard a candidate's past actions and personal associations is unconsciable.

Would you hire a nanny for your child without first doing a background and references check? Of course you wouldn't! Why would you choose to be any less cautious of a person that wants to be President of the most Powerful country in the World, and has a direct bearing on your personal well-being and safety?

This is ATS.

We're colourblind.

We deny ignorance here.

To deny ignorance, you must put all your personal prejudices and biases aside, and look at the issues without any preconceptions. This applies to those things we find to be unpleasant or disturbing to us as well.

When you buy a used car, you don't just look at the outside, you also want to see the engine, and hear how it runs. If you're a really savvy shopper, you take it for a test drive too!

That's what the vetting process is all about.. Selecting the right person for the job based upon all available information known about them.

xmotex, you do the moderate Christians justice.
good post. thanks.