Obama, McCain, and God
By Matt Sutton
Just when it looked like the role of religion in the 2008 campaign might be ebbing, Obama and McCain have brought it back, front and center. They just agreed to appear together on August 16 at a forum at Rick “The Purpose Driven ________” [fill in the blank for an instant bestseller] Warren’s Saddleback Church in Orange County, California. (Ed—you can drive there).
Despite the embarrassing efforts of James Dobson to resuscitate the religious right’s old model of engagement, Rick Warren is clearly positioning himself to become evangelicals’ new go-to guy. This forum is certainly the kind of coup that the likes of Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson could only dream of. My only question is whether or not Warren will have his baptismal warmed up and ready for McCain should the maverick decide that after years of refusing to be baptized he finally wants to take the plunge.
Just when it looked like the role of religion in the 2008 campaign might be ebbing, Obama and McCain have brought it back, front and center. They just agreed to appear together on August 16 at a forum at Rick “The Purpose Driven ________” [fill in the blank for an instant bestseller] Warren’s Saddleback Church in Orange County, California. (Ed—you can drive there).
Despite the embarrassing efforts of James Dobson to resuscitate the religious right’s old model of engagement, Rick Warren is clearly positioning himself to become evangelicals’ new go-to guy. This forum is certainly the kind of coup that the likes of Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson could only dream of. My only question is whether or not Warren will have his baptismal warmed up and ready for McCain should the maverick decide that after years of refusing to be baptized he finally wants to take the plunge.
Comments
I agree--it is exactly issues such as this that may well illustrate why he and many evangelicals don't mesh.
It does occur to me that the first sentence of the Purpose-Driven Life is a great stumbling block for candidates. Without being overly partisan, I'd have to say it's more of a stumbling block for Obama.
I was trying to make a light-hearted jab at the messianic complex that has surrounded the Obama campaign. The "We Are The Ones We Have Been Waiting For" sort of stuff. Even liberal columnists sometimes refer to him jokingly as "The One."
More seriously, as someone who loves following religion and politics, I'm thrilled at the joint appearance. Too bad John Fea won't be on-site for us at this event.
Also, although there are plenty of young evangelicals fired up about Obama, I was surprised to see McCain leading him 62-18 in that recent survey. Also, it seems to me that the Religious Right leadership is finally getting behind McCain.