The always-shrewd Jeff Weiss at the Dallas Morning Newsy characterizes her as a post-denominational Christian.
Doug Weed, a Bush friend, notes that Palin not only helps with evangelicals but with Pentecostals in particular, who have been especially cool to McCain.
He also raises a very good political point: if Democrats start attacking her as a Creationist yokel, it will un-do much of Obama's faith outreach. In fact, this is almost inevitable that some liberal bloggers will do just that and the Republicans will gather up every one of those Christian-mocking quotes to prove that the Republicans respect them and Democrats don't. For Obama to avoid this fate, he's probably going to do a Sister Souljah on those Democrats who mock Palin, specifically coming to her defense on matters of faith.
Add to Del.icio.us
Add to Technorati
Add to Digg
Add to Newsvine
Add to Facebook
Add to StumbleUpon
Subscribe
"For Obama to avoid this fate, he's probably going to do a Sister Souljah on those Democrats who mock Palin, specifically coming to her defense on matters of faith."
Ironic, given it should be McCain having a Sister Souljah moment with the far right of his party, instead of handing them their own veep candidate.
I don't see why Obama should have to apologize for having supporters who question a modern political candidate who supports creationism. Has our disourse gotten to the point that we have to ignore science and good education policy because a small number of people believe in creationism? That Obama's "faith outreach" needs to be sensitive to not offend creationists?
I mean, I understand your point. In the modern political world, we can't afford to offend Christian conservatives. Obama thinks he needs to bend over backwards to be nice to folks who work against the Democrat's agenda. I get that.
But doesn't Palin's nomination mean that Obama doesn't really need to pander to that crowd. They are no longer disaffected. They may no longer be up for grabs. So why indulge creationism just to score political points with people who are opposed to your agenda and probably unattainable politically?
Anyone stupid enough to believe in magical creation (or what Liars for Jesus call intelligent design) is not going to vote for Obama anyway. There's no reason for Obama to suck up to religious insanity.
Obama has always said that he feels a person of faith may believe in evolution. He's always supported public schools teaching good science and relegating religion to other venues. As difficult as it may be to believe, millions and millions of *religious) Americans agree. All he has to do is go on saying what he's been saying.
Post a Comment
By submitting these comments, I agree to the beliefnet.com terms of service, rules of conduct and privacy policy (the "agreements"). I understand and agree that any content I post is licensed to beliefnet.com and may be used by beliefnet.com in accordance with the agreements.