Obama's own pitch to evangelicals

Posted: Monday, June 09, 2008 11:16 AM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Mark Murray
With the news out today that McCain might have some challenges ahead in courting evangelical voters, we totally missed this Friday piece by CBN's David Brody, who wrote that Obama is planning to unveil his outreach program to younger evangelicals and Catholics.

Video: NBC News Political Director Chuck Todd breaks down McCain and Obama's chances in states that have been determined toss-ups by the candidates themselves, and wonders where the young vote will go in November.

It's called the 'Joshua Generation Project.' The name is based on the biblical story of how Joshua's generation led the Israelites into the Promised Land. A source close to the Obama campaign tells The Brody File the following: 'The Joshua Generation project will be the Obama campaign's outreach to young people of faith. There's unprecedented energy and excitement for Obama among young evangelicals and Catholics. The Joshua Generation project will tap into that excitement and provide young people of faith opportunities to stand up for their values and move the campaign forward.'"

More from Brody: "Yes, the Obama campaign understands that the issue of abortion is a problem for some voters of faith. They respect that and understand if some just simply can't come on board because of that. However, they look at this project as a way of broadening the values discussion. Poverty, Darfur, Climate Change and yes, even the war are issues younger Evangelicals may be able to see eye to eye on with the Obama campaign."

"Whatever you think of the 'Joshua Generation Project,' you have to give the campaign their due because they are making concerted efforts to NOT ignore faith voters. In my reporting, I can tell you this is not a contrived effort. The folks behind this believe in not only the mission of winning over faith voters to Obama but the larger mission of not ignoring faith voters when it comes to politics."

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Comments

wow, it's great to see someone who believes that we don't have to park our faith at the door in order to participate in politics while at the same time not subverting the government into a religious war like the bush regime

i'm on board (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:24 AM)

Obama must think he's really special. He's going to try convince devoted religious people that they should be for abortion? It is so absurd, it is laughable.

Hennde Lammers (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:25 AM)

There is a powerful article in Newsweek about the medical reasons for having late term abortions. If more people understood why these abortions are sometimes necessary, they wouldn't be so knee-jerk against them. At the very least, they would understand why half the country thinks these decisions should be between a woman and her doctor.

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:29 AM)

I continue to be amazed with the creative thinking of the Obama team. Barack is a Christian and it stands to reason that he can and should court the evangelical vote. It could well be that by November, 50% of the religious right will support Barack.
This is no gimmick. Barack feels quite at home in a church and speaking from the pulpit. He is quite comfortable sharing his faith.

Ron Indiana (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:29 AM)

He is putting pressure on McCain from all sides!!

FL (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:30 AM)

My new book is out there on the democratic race. It is called: The Ramblings of an Ordinary Christian Man: A man, a woman, chained together to the donkey but we have to have one by God lead us or it is the elephant
by Lorenzo Grey. I think it might be worth checking out because inside it goes over why Barack Obama shouldn't get elected from a Christian and Historical point of view and why Hillary Clinton needs to be on the ballot to get him elected.

http://www.lulu.com/browse/search.php?search_forum=-1&search_cat=2&show_results=topics&return_chars=200&search_keywords=&keys=&header_search=true&sitesearch=lulu.com&q=&fSearch=lorenzo+grey&fSearchFamily=0

Lorenzo (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:30 AM)

Cool! obama's gonna lead us all into "the promised land" WOW glad you all found your messiah! WTF?

Bobbi, Eau Claire, WI (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:32 AM)

"Obama must think he's really special. He's going to try convince devoted religious people that they should be for abortion? It is so absurd, it is laughable."

But letting our men and women die in Iraq for a lie is OK with you. Give me a break!!

FL (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:32 AM)

Its a good strategy, and an honest one.

I think the strategy (not just for the faith community) is to get all these young people to at least engage their elders in political and "the future of our country" discussions.

That is the fierce urgency of now, to me. Older Americans have to (to a large extent) have the backs of our younger generation because the younger generation (at least those that have a good head on their shoulders) know that they need to start the policies now that will ensure their future. Social security, global warming, paying for healthcare, our status on the World stage, decreasing our reliance on foreign oil and achieving more sensible energy strategies.

All of these matter so much to the twenty and thirty-somethings who are also looking out for the teens and younger children (and yet to be born).

WE NEED TO HAVE THEIR BACKS. They are our future. We owe it to them to listen to what they have to say.

Engage your elders, talk with them...that is what I say to the younger among us. We need also to listen more to each other.

Lisa, New Britain, CT...OBAMA for President (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:32 AM)

Maybe obama will invite us all to Trinity!

Bobbi, Eau Claire, WI (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:34 AM)

It's all political - Really. Now Obama is supose to be the everybody's JESUS. Come on????? Just how stupid are we? He used REv Wright and That Catholic guy to advance in the Chicago scene. Now he wants to use the youth of nation? He should have started a youth center in the Wright church to better educate the young black men that what Wright was saying was not true so they wouldn"t feel the urge and right to justify 12 killings on the streets of Chicago every week. Oh - Yay - my bad - He never hurd Wright say anything bad and he doesn't care about the youth in Chigago. Why?? Because he already has the Black voters. Obama is a piece of work. I will not follow that hoodwinking guy anywhere. Obama is a fool.

Obama Drama (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:35 AM)

Since Obama had gay-hater born again activist Donnie McClurkin campaigning for him in SC, it's no wonder now that he should go after the evangelical vote. What's a Clinton supporter to do? Vote for John McCain, that's what.

Dean, Waterbury, Ct (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:35 AM)

It's about time someone understands that Christianity is more than just whether or not your against abortion. There is helping the poor and taking care of and having respect for the environment (which Christian's view as God's own creation). This is not a black and white issue that some people make it out to be.

John, IL (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:35 AM)

Hennde,

No where did he say that he's is going to convince people to be for abortion. In fact the article said just the opposite (did you read it?)...

More to the point, it sounds like he's asking them to reject single-issue politics (a stance with which I happen to agree) and look at a wide variety of issues before we/they vote.

Lisa, New Britain, CT...OBAMA for President (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:36 AM)

Walt says: So the fear mongering begins in earnest. McCain cannot win on his "tax cuts for the rich, spend government money on Iraq and Halliburton" policy, so minions will spread the "Obama is a Marxist/Muslim/

Walt, if telling the truth is "fear mongering", then I guess Obama is for a lot of fear mongering. I didn't bring up the "Muslim" thing, you and someone from Virginia, apparently both supporters of Obama did that thing. Obama is a extreme left wing liberal. Is that too hard to admit? He's got a 100% liberal voting record. What would you call it, being a moderate? Barack believes the military is a last resort, and even seems that they would be no resort. That's a pacifist. You seem embarrassed for Obama that that is the truth. Rather then try to defend what Obama is not, why don't you celebrate what he is, that is, he's a socialist. If he's not, just where does Obama believe the government should have less control in peoples lives?

Norton Stiles, NYC (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:36 AM)

I am glad that this is being reported on MSNBC. I am a pro-life catholic and the church is againist the war. It is not considered a just war under the catholic faith because the country was misled to war. there are issues of poverty, education, healthcare etc which are pro-life issues. the republicans have not addressed these issues. although the republicans are aganist abortion, their policies are a contridiction to chrisitian faith. For this reason many young people who are religious, like myself, cannot support the republican party.

voter (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:36 AM)

As an older female prolife Christian I have been on board the Obama train since it left the station. I am excited by this outreach. See also Obama's relationship with the long time left wing activist Christian Jim Wallis "God's Politics". I am appalled at the racism rampant among some evangelicals. For me the racial divide issue trumps the abortion issue for now. Thanks for your report. Obama Grandmama

Hermine Clouser Middletown PA (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:36 AM)

As a middle aged evangelical voter, it seems as if the Republicans only giving lip service to some of the moral issues. The say the right things at times, but when it comes to voting and laws, they do what their contributors tell them to. The most telling one for me was in Pennsylvania when they rammed through teh gambling bill with the backing of the Republican ledership, especially in the state house. A lot of this was to satisfy campaign contributors in the industry.

Doen right, this can be an opening for the Democrats. The Democrats need to be sensitive to our thoghts and issues and not discount and insult us and throw us away as they may have in the past.

PEM, Former PA (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:37 AM)

This is truly amazing development. A democrat comfortable in his faith, aware of its pros and cons, and bold enough to present and discuss his views:

Look we christians have been shortchanged on the faith discussion for too longs. The Republicans have basically said to us - we are one of you - focus on abortion - its a sin.

Then we forget the other sins - working and not been able to afford shelter, food, and clothing - the main scriptural promise, government role in society and taxation (give unto Caesar, instead we are told less taxes even as the skyrocketing prices of everything from gas to healthcare to food to shelter present the greater hidden "tax"), the Samaritan role, etc.

At the end of the day, the overall truth is that neither party is holy, the republicans ahve just made us focus on their being of faith and abortion position and then we assume this is God's preferred authority on earth when in fact - none is - leaving us free to decide based on the best economic and policy positions.

J. Richter (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:38 AM)

"If more people understood why these abortions are sometimes necessary, they wouldn't be so knee-jerk against them." - Amy B Portland, ME

But that would require a nuanced understanding of reality divorced from black and white fabricated stereotypes of right and wrong. It would require that people think rather than blindly follow.

We can't have that.

Jay, Indiana (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:38 AM)

You guys didn't miss it, like most other issues, you guys just didn't care to properly cover it because you were focused on Hillary Clinton. I was amazed to find out the study that showed that outside of Jeremiah Wright and Bush calling Obama and appeaser in Israel, NO STORIES got as much coverage the last 6 months than Hillary Clinton.

That says a lot about the media in America, which isn't saying much.

Mister Anderson (The Matrix) (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:39 AM)

I love Barak Obama and would vote for him in a heartbeat if it were not for the late-term abortion issue. There are probably "good medical reasons" for infanticide outside the womb, too, but do we really want to go there?

Tim Elston, Juneau, Alaska (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:39 AM)

Thank God. That's it. Just thank God.

Obama 08/12

Amy Andersen, Eden Prairie, MN (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:40 AM)

Bobbi,
You make no sense. In one post you state that Obama supporters shouldn't talk negatively about Clinton supporters, but then you talk negatively about Obama?? What gives??

Lewis, Cincinnati, Ohio (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:40 AM)

Obama must think he's really special. He's going to try convince devoted religious people that they should be for abortion? It is so absurd, it is laughable.
Hennde Lammers (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:25 AM)

It would be nice if you would read the article before commenting on it. The reason many in this country see evangelicals as one issue fanatics is because of comments like these. Obama isn't going to try and convince anyone of anything, what he will do is open a dialogue and try to find commonality with people of faith.

If the religious right supported education as vigorously as they supported trying to jam their "faith" down everyone elses throat, the number of abortions would decrease because more women would have information on how to avoid unwanted pregnancies and we would have a much stronger education system.

Sceptical in St Louis (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:41 AM)

[[This is no gimmick. Barack feels quite at home in a church and speaking from the pulpit. He is quite comfortable sharing his faith. ]]

Anyone like Obama that is 100% for abortions anytime, anywhere and with the government picking up the bill is really going to struggle with getting accepted by people of faith. Any faith that supports Obama's positions would be very extreme and out of the religious main-stream.

Debbie Dade, Jackson, GA (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:41 AM)

Since Obama had gay-hater born again activist Donnie McClurkin campaigning for him in SC, it's no wonder now that he should go after the evangelical vote.
********
Dean in Waterbury: he also has a "mentor" the Rev. Meeks from Chicago who is one of the biggest homophobes in the world.

6/10 Independents Day--Dems become Indies..Go McCain (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:43 AM)

Bobbi

Didn't you say in another forum that Obama supporters need to show more respect for Hillary? I guess that rule does not apply in reverse.

Since you suggested that Obama invite everyone to Trinity, I would like to make another suggestion. Maybe we can all attend the opening arguments in the fraud lawsuit that Hillary Clinton will be facing next January.

Obama/Sebelius in 2008. Integrity matters and the Clintons have none.

Sick of corruption, sick of the Clintons (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:43 AM)

For a long time (forever?), Dems have been ignoring religious voters, assuming them to be single-issue voters. Newsflash: not all are. This is the latest in a series of very smart moves by the Obama campaign. Given McCain's reluctance to discuss faith, this a ripe opportunity.

Madbrian (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:45 AM)

\\As a middle aged evangelical voter, it seems as if the Republicans only giving lip service to some of the moral issues. //

Well, yeah, except for those last two Supreme Court appointments.

Also, Pennsylvania is a Democratic state. If anything got "rammed through", it's the Democrats that are doing the ramming.

Ted Greggs, Pittsburgh (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:45 AM)

Hennde lammers I don't know WHERE you got THAT point of view from reading the article. Read the article please . . . again! That sort of impasse in terms of thinking, namely "If you are Anti-abortion you are Republican!" is so ridiculous. The things that affect everyone of us are BIGGER than the right to chose! Also you need to download and watch the 'Faith Forum' from back in PA from CNN. Watch and listen to Obama's answers to the SAME question and concern that you are voicing. Note after that forum, because of Obama's positions on these traditionally touchy, wedge issues one of the most conservative pro-life groups in the state decided to endorse, back and campaign for Obama! It even made the traditional left leaning pro-choice groups go 'Huh?'. Obama has crossover appeal. He is shattering these party divisions and McCain doesn't yet see what is going on. Trust me: McCain is in trouble!!

ma (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:45 AM)

How can you be a good Christian and vote for the GOP and McCain?

!. They do not care about there fellow man, they are not my brothers keeper.

2.They do not care about the environment, for example big oil companies say that global warming is not real. They are not Stuarts of the environment.

3. War is always there 1st option instead of trying to get along with other countries and trying to talk to them and encourage constructive dialog.

4. Greed is the must important thing to the GOP, they do not want to hear about caring for the sick and poor.

I cannot for the life of me; how any good Christen can vote for McCain and the GOP. I know the GOP are going to talk about the abortion issue. To me this issue is not for the government or the constitutional changes. This issue is for the educational system, churches and parents. That’s were you can put an end to the abortion problem not by big government telling you what to do with your body.

Capt. Smash, Salt Lake City, Utah (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:45 AM)

He should speak at Liberty University, the heart of the far right, started by Jerry Falwell. I live in Lynchburg,va, home of L.U. Not all of these young people are anti-abortion. It would be a good start and would drive the republicans crazy.

steve lynchburg,va (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:46 AM)

To Hennde Lammers:

"Yes, the Obama campaign understands that the issue of abortion is a problem for some voters of faith. They respect that and understand if some just simply can't come on board because of that."

What part of that statement suggests that Obama is trying to convince pro-lifers to accept abortion? If anything it sets a respectful tone that if abortion rights is a non-starter issue for your potential support of a candidat than Sen. Obama respects your position and is not going to try to convince you otherwise. If, however, you are not a one-note Christian and feel that issues such as human rights in China and Darfur, environmental stewardship, and releiving the suffering of others around the world (and in the US) are important Christian issues of faith and service (i.e. they are evangelical issues) than you need to rethink this idea that your parents and grandparents have taught you that you can't be a Christian and vote Democratic.

I for one am a faithful "evangelical" Christian, a proud progressive Democrat, and an enthusiastic Obama supporter. I would strongly encourage you and anyone else to read "Audacity of Hope" to really understand the strength of Obama's faith and how uplifting his message can be to Christians and other people of faith.

God Bless.

TexGator, Houston, TX (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:46 AM)

Campaign Diaries has the rundown of all the question marks of the money race: Will Obama take public financing? Will FEC approve McCain's fund request? And will the RNC help McCain overcome the difference? Full roundup: http://www.campaigndiaries.com/2008/06/money-factor-how-big-will-obamas.html

Daniel, NY (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:47 AM)

Being against government intervention in women's health issues does NOT make me pro-abortion. This is a health issue between a women, her doctor, AND God. It is NOT a decision a souless government has any business injecting itself into.

PhilVietVet, Pearblossom, CA (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:47 AM)

Certainly if we destroy or damage our planet via global warming ... abortion becomes a mute point. Many more will die from starvation and storms.

Richard, Balt (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:47 AM)

hmmmmmm.........what happened to separation of church and state?

think (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:48 AM)

The 'Joshua Generation Project.'

Wow!

How many of the evangelical youth will convert their elders, just like young people have done all through the primaries? Remember Jimmy Carter's testimony?

Hallelujah! Amen!

donna (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:48 AM)

I'm a Catholic and support Senator Obama who appears to have a deep comfortable faith. I've read his books and just watching him with his wife and children I feel even better about him. It's sad there are knee jerk nuts that scream about defending life and then vote for those who would deny early health and/or social programs for the children's protection later.

bill, okla (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:48 AM)

Whenever you use the word "seems like" (Norton Stiles) you have deviated from facts into projecting from an inner assumption and some reflection onto the candidate or issues. While this does not mean the position on the candidate is neither true or false (in this case it blatantly is), I think we should stick with obectively analyzing, accepting, or rejecting the next president based on FACTS.

And labels of liberal, conservative etc are the most useless thing I ever saw. I prefer to focus on issues. For instance, I am conservative as a christian on conservative and gay issues although I am for freedom of expression and individual rights as long as they dont encroach on mine or kid's views. I do not buy the republican less tax drum while they end up giving us an environment that taxes use the more although indirectly (and we do not realize this because those hardships are not labelled taxes), or less jobs, less or no health coverage (in the name of no or less government), useless and discredited wars etc. Now, lets drop the label and analyze BO's position. He is in favor of the Afganistan war and actually winning it since it is the right war. (Besides how does one win something that is an accepted mistake). He is in favor of tx cut to the lower income and middle classes and has proposed more rebates for this group. ...

J. Richter (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:49 AM)

Get off the Wright train will you? Move on. It is scary that some of us can't think outside the box. Your differences don't make me better than you and vice versa. We live in a place wheere not everyone agrees with one another. There is a lot of hatred out here and I can tell by some of the outragreous posts I read.

Lisa (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:49 AM)

This is AWESOME! The Joshua Generation is the change generation. As in the old testament when Moses was not able to see the vision that God had for Israel, Joshua stepped up with a new and fresh perspective and helped lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. I do believe that pro-life is about more than abortion. I also believe that the Republicans have not done one thing to overturn abortion rights and they never will. Even the conservative justices on the Supreme Court do not want to overturn a woman's right to choose because it is more of a healthcare issue than it is a moral issue. If you do not believe in abortion, don't have them. Teach your children not to have them. That's how you address the abortion issue. I do think we should teach abstinence first when it comes to sex education in the schools. Obama believes this as well. Do not expect the younger evangelicals to be puppets on the Republican abortion string. They will think for themselves and vote for themselves, which will lead them to vote for Obama. Obama is no Jesus. Nobody is Jesus, except Jesus. Duh! He's not trying to be Jesus. He's being true to who he is. He's a Christian. And for the religious right who insists on going back to Rev. Wright, if that's all you have to say, you're in big trouble. You are naive if you don't understand that this time the election will be about issues and not name calling or inuendo. By the way, whose church does John McCain go to? Is that a secret? I haven't heard any details about his church affiliation.

kat1park, NC (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:50 AM)

A pregnant mother finds out her fetus has no kidneys at 16 weeks (incompatible with life. period). Should she be forced to carry the baby 6 more months, knowing that it will suffer for entire fetal lifespan and is guaranteed to die within days after birth?

If you answer yes, you are not compassionate, you are stubborn and misguided. Abortion is rarely, if ever, used for a safety net to casual sex. There are rare circumstances where abortion is actually compassionate. Open your mind zealots.

billy Smith (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:50 AM)

Hillary's base is important, but don't underestimate Obama's pull with non-traditional Dem voters and young voters. That could be enough to nip McCain in places like the Mountain West and NC/VA.

http://www.political-buzz.com/

matt (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:52 AM)

If Obama is going to try to "begin a dialogue" with religious people over the common ground between himself and them should have regarding abortion, he should be prepared for a very short conversation.

Fawning Johnston, Eilo, West Virginia (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:52 AM)

I believe in separation of church and state.
Christians should not get hang up on the abortion issue because it's not the ONLY issue, there are other far worse issues. Like jobs, souring prices, the war, etc. If one doesn't have a job, how can one support a child? Raise a child and be sent to be killed in a war? Kind of an oxymoron, right?
Don't get me wrong, I am Catholic and against abortion. BUT when in a dilemma - choose the lesser evil. The truth is, all human beings should respectful and responsible for a life. Do what is right without getting gov't to pit for it. I know it's more complex than that, but for crying out loud, look at the OVERALL ISSUES involved here and what kind of impact and consecquences it will have. Again, it's just not one issue - war also kills people, even if they are your enemies.
Obama is doing the right thing. People should give this man a chance rather than stay in the same sink hole we are in.

OBAMA 08

JM, Tampa, FL (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:52 AM)

Obama is smart; he knows there are Christians and those of other faiths out there who are NOT single-issue voters viz-a-viz abortion. They see the war as a moral issue, they see global warming as a moral issue, they see vetoing health insurance for poor kids as a moral issue, they see favoring the rich and screwing over the rest as a moral issue. And he's right. And now he'll attract like-minded people of faith all over the country.

Class Warrior, D.C. (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:53 AM)

I understand trying to get the young EC voter. I actually applaud it as good, smart, and inclusive politicking. What I don't like is all of the "messiah-like" rhetoric coming from this campaign.

Bobbi, Eau Claire, WI (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:53 AM)

I believe that Obama is first a humanitarian, his faith the foundation of this. I may not agree with each and every one of his thoughts, but when I look at the big picture it too is what I envision for our future. Perhaps, that is what we need to consider, the big picture, not the minor specifics.

Iowa girl (Sent Monday, June 09, 2008 11:53 AM)

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