Right on Paul
and pat you seem to re lapsing to your old self.
a good leader lisen to those who lead other people
Churches ect. see the hurt everyday people face
joe Oklahoma City, Ok (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 3:03 PM)

------------
No, I was being funny.  It seems that all these politicians are obsessed with getting on the good side of religious leaders.  I find it sad they have to do this...that was the reason for my sarcastic post.  It was not a jab at Obama, just the whole thing about candidates doing to the church tour and baby kissing photo-ops.

Actually, those who rant loudest are practicing atheists.

"Those who know do not speak.
Those who speak do not know."

Maybe he is screening for a new church, after all, where does he go now that he has quit his old church.
Regardless, we should wear our faith in our hearts, not in our sleeves for everyone to see. Remember the Pharisees (hypocrites?)They pray in public so others will say what a devout whatever they are.

How many suicide bombing muslim ones are there is what I wonder?  America is trying to stay free and bring civilisation to a country in the middle east and all we hear is Obama the liberal is the best the news people have ever seen.  Vote for a real navy hero and pilot John McCain and hopefully Huckabee for morality and conservation.
dusual tx (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 3:02 PM)

-----------
How is McCain a hero?  He didn't fight much when he was enlisted since he spent his time in a POW camp.  Huckabee? Please, please lets not bring up that bible beating evolution denying first cousin marrying red neck hick.

vote Obama/[anybody] '08!

[I'm a Hillary supporter and I approve this message.]

In the past, Democrats and liberals have ignored religious people

It's great to see Obama making moves to correct this deficiency

Peace is patriotic, and God is NOT a Republican

Why not teach ethics in schools ?
Give school children something for guidance


John McCain, More of the same
John McCain, Endless War
John McCain: Bomb, bomb, bomb  .... Bomb, bomb Iran

I can't stand the PURE B.S. that is Barack Hussein Obama. But I can understand how those who can't think straight can let him lead them around.
Full Moon (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 2:49 PM)
******************************************************Hey Full Moon, DUMB POST!! Let's talk about how Bush led this country to war, higher gas prices, left poor kids behind with his "no child left behind" crap, or how they LIED to get us into war. Ruppert Murdoch gave a speech saying going into Iraq would bring the price for a barrel of oil down to $20 bucks. When YOUR boy Bush came into office, a gallon of gas averaged a whopping $1.43! Cheney had secret meetings with oil execs and REFUSED to release the information of WHO was at that meeting! We now know your friend DICK cheney, was still getting money from those companies for stock HE STILL OWNS! Not to mention Jack the "snake" Abramoff. What about McBush voting 100% with the president in "08? And I guess i might as well mention his "07 voting record of 95%! Get a clue, anyone who will TAKE THE TIME TO READ about Mr. Keating 5 will not cut off their flipp'n nose to spite their face, unless like you they are scared of a BLACK MAN bringing about the CHANGE this country and to a greater extent the WORLD his asking for!!! The Dems have 5 months to define McBush, you can bet it will take it's toll.

Why, will John Hagee, Jerry Falwell, and Rod Parsley be there?  Or will they all be busy meeting with John McCain?
John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 3:04 PM)

-----------
I agree with your response, but note - Jerry Falwell is dead and currently rotting in hell where he belongs.

NObama you are an idiot..... every single man responsible for the drafting of the Constitution were devout Christians and thier views shaped the values and rules set forth in the document.  The separation of Church and State is meant only to allow people to freely express and practice thier religious views without disruption by the government... but to state that faith (the most important aspect of most people's lives regardless of thier denomination) has no place in politics is ignorant

Bishop Philip Cousin - 96th bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, currently pastors the Philip R. Cousin AME Church in Napierville, IL.

Rev. Stephen Thurston - current President of the National Baptist Convention of America, and pastors the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, IL.

Dr. T. Dewitt Smith - current President of the Progressive National Baptist Convention and currently senior pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA.

All distinguished, accomplished pastors and unsurpassed in their outreach and service to others.

Bobbi, you should have your mouth washed(never mind you would'nt understand)to much cheese between the ears!

Funny the last time I checked most of Obamas followers are the educated and knowledgable. Just read the hatred and rants of the repukes and see how facts and inteligence does not mean a thing to them. Their hatred is their reason for posting. They can not use facts or information, just pure hatred which is the christian republican thing to do. Repukes help to justify the intolerence and hatred religious people have toward people that are not like them.  Bobbi, real original stuff there. Dave with his typical hate shot. NOBAMA with his/her predictable racist views. But they all have one thing in common, hatred to all that do not blindly follow them. Repukes are like lemmings, they do not think for themselves, hate everyone but themselves, and it only takes one idiot to jump over a ledge for the rest to follow. No leaders here, just gutless cowards spouting repuke talking points.

I read a lot of snide remarks from...I guess Hillary supporters and McOld supporters.  Actually, this is an excellent plan as people of faith are looking for a candidate.  Most Evangelical Christians are uncomfortable with McOld and are looking.  Yesterday First Read posted comments on the Joshua Generation Project.  Barack can and should speak to many of the subgroups that make up America.  
I agree that the Consistution does separate Church and State.  But my gut instinct is that faith does not belong to one party.  McOld will not be able to take this group for granted.  

I still find the media is underreporting what Barrack is doing, choosing instead to report on the sensational storyline that has fickle, tenuous association with Obama.  I agree with the earlier post:  Obama has within a week gotten the DNC to give up PAC and Lobbyist monies and going all over this country, passionately showing voters that they can believe in their government again!!

Stop with the 'ET' Style reporting first read!

Obama is running to be the leader of the free world, not a club draw like Paris!  

How about reporting on the issues, taking the candidate to task on their gaffes and misstatements . . . in light of the ISSUES????  

Just want you to know there are some non-hating, non-racist, change embracing liberals living in Eau Claire, WI...Bobbi is not typical of the good people I run into around here!

I want nothing to do with republican religion!  I am a constant witness to the slander, lying and value-void behavior of these so-called christians.  You will know them by their fruits -- I can't find any "fruit" of the spirit.  I find rampant mocking of a good man who has put himself out there to stand up for the true definition of democracy.  "For the people, by the people".  Senator Obama is a good and decent man. The republicans have disgraced themselves and their "religion" by placing a man in office who lies to go to war, participates in voter fraud and surpresses information to help the country's citizenry.  It is breathtaking in recognition of this current administrations' depth of corruption practiced by the president and vice-president.  

Bobbi, Eau Claire, WI:

Can you ever say anything positive? Why don't you tell us all who you support, and why, without tearing down the other candidate?

Obama = The ultimate panderer

John B, Des Moines, IA: '..."Given his excellent judgement in regards to religious "leaders", this meeting just might turn out to be a "who's who" of racist, radical, **ed-up, whack-jobs!  
Bobbi, Eau Claire, WI (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 2:36 PM)"

Why, will John Hagee, Jerry Falwell, and Rod Parsley be there?  Or will they all be busy meeting with John McCain? ...'

good points

I think Pat Robertson saw a 800 foot Jesus and has an 'age defying' protein shake that lets him set world records for leg presses

John Hagee praised Adolph Hitler as 'God's tool'
Rod Parsley says American was FOUNDED TO DESTROY ISLAM
Bunch of great guys

Bobbi, you truly are a Republican sock puppet

I want nothing to do with republican religion!  I am a constant witness to the slander, lying and value-void behavior of these so-called christians.  You will know them by their fruits -- I can't find any "fruit" of the spirit.  I find rampant mocking of a good man who has put himself out there to stand up for the true definition of democracy.  "For the people, by the people".  Senator Obama is a good and decent man. The republicans have disgraced themselves and their "religion" by placing a man in office who lies to go to war, participates in voter fraud and surpresses information to help the country's citizenry.  It is breathtaking in recognition of this current administrations' depth of corruption practiced by the president and vice-president.  

As a Christian who has followed this race closely, I think it's smart to call for it.  Now, let's to see what comes out of it.  Anything conjecture before is just that, pure conjecture.  OR worse, mean-spiritness on your part.

"30 people" ... but only mentions the 3 largest Christian denominations?  Please, if you believe the other 27 include non-Christian faiths,Paul, I've got some ocean-front property to sell you here in Montana.

mcsame dumped his disfigured wife like a drunken sailor. He has no compassion and gold digging will not endear anyone to evangelicals. If a person can stab his wife in the back, who is he not to stab you in the back?

dusual TX  said:
"bring civilisation to a country in the middle east"

I am laughing my a*# off.  Pull your head out and educate yourself.  Iraq was already a modern, civilised country. Does it look just like America? Of course not, just because another country isn't a carbon copy of the U.S. and has a different culture  doesn't mean its not civilised.  Many people think that Texas isn't civilised and is peopled by ignorant hicks.  You would be strengthening that argument!

O My----I see the beginnings of his demise, but then most of us saw this way at the beginning.
Reach out and touch someone----Chicago religous leaders, just what we need. I'm sure they will have some good ideas on gas prices, inflation, and food costs---Hmmmm let's see

 As the president of the United States, he will be OUR representative. All of us with a religion and those with none are still citizens of this great country. Meeting with and exchanging views with all of us is what I like about this man. He closes off no one. He knows he is not going to get everyone's vote but he will be representing those who didn't vote for him too. Quite a difference from the Bush/Cheney administration. If you didn't give them money or vote for them, you were invisible to them.

Obama will be the next president of the United States.

How is McCain a hero?  He didn't fight much when he was enlisted since he spent his time in a POW camp.
**********8
Pat, that is disgusting. Did you know they would have let him go since he was the son of an Admiral and he refused if not all prisoners could go?  Did you know that both his arms were broken?  Do you know all the types of torture he was subjected to?  Why don't you go sit in a prison as a POW for five years and let us know how it works out for you.

I don't think this is necessarily a good thing.  There is a reason for separation of church and state.  G. Bush is a prime example as to why, so many of his decisions were based on his faith/beliefs that he overlooked the good or will of the people.  

And in all honesty, you can not have a meeting like this without having a representitive from EVERY practiced religion in the United States.  And I am willing to bet there is no one there representing Scientology.

I think it is great that Obama is courting the religious vote.  Why not?  I think the Republicans have taken the evangelical vote for granted. There are Democratic, Republican, and Independent christians.  They vote with issues that matter most to their own personal lives. I think the Democrates have made a mistake in the past by not even tempting to seek their votes or even listen to their concerns and issues..

Let's face it, our society can use better morals and values. And I don't talking it will hurts anyone.

Barack is doing the right thing.   Keep it up.  You are on the path of great leadership!

I think it is great that Obama is courting the religious vote.  Why not?  I think the Republicans have taken the evangelical vote for granted. There are Democratic, Republican, and Independent christians.  They vote with issues that matter most to their own personal lives. I think the Democrates have made a mistake in the past by not even tempting to seek their votes or even listen to their concerns and issues..

Let's face it, our society can use better morals and values. And I don't talking it will hurts anyone.

Barack is doing the right thing.   Keep it up.  You are on the path of great leadership!

Exactly what does it mean-- "reaching out to the faith community?"  Is this really what we want our president to be doing?  Reaching out to the faith community FOR WHAT?  Why is this a priority for the BO campaign and why is it going to be a priority for a BO administration?  I prefer that the candidates stick to discussing the issues they will deal with as president, not pander to special interests.

Jerry Falwell is dead; has been for awhile.

The Republican party no longer has a hold on faith.

Will Rev. Wright be giving the invocation and Father Pfleger communion>

I am amazed that so many people have selective memory loss.  I don't recall hearing anything about John McCain"s lack of support for Az declaring MLK's birthday a holiday.  He voted against it and yet he recieved a pass on that.  But let Barrack reach out to religious leaders and all you hear is racist remarks about the character of these leaders you know nothing about.....John McCain has refused to meet Billy Graham....wow! now that's showing leadership....Go barrak!

Wiccan, NOT "wicken" and good for Mr. Obama looking for input from the religious community. He will certainly not be able to hear from everyone because of the sheer numbers involved in our religously diverse nation, but it's good that he is listening.

Correction to Gail in TN:  Phillip R Cousin, 96th Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Presiding Prelate of the 4th Episcopal District, consitisting of the Indiana, Chicago, Illinois, Canadian,Michigan Annual Conferences, with Episcopal offices in Naperville, IL.  One of 20, active Bishops of the AME Church Worldwide.

"Senator Obama will restore decency to the White House" - This guy is kind of out there. Is there anyone here that knows how to reel this guy in, if nothing else for his own protection?

"Terrorist Jab!!!!!!!!"
Please tell E.D. Hill she is OUT of TOUCH!!!!!

Her email is:

E.D.Hill@FOXNEWS.com

*****Please post

If all you naysayers really want to be well informed about who Barack Obama is why don't you read his books. They are excellent. In MY OPINION he is not only a unique person of depth; (his insights at such a young age are remarkable) He is a once in a life time candidate.

And before you all start shouting back at me. Yes, I have also read Faith of our Fathers by John McCain. If McCain had been the 2000 candidate I would have voted for him in a heart beat. BUT NO MORE. In my opinion he has sold his soul to Dubya! He is no longer the maverick that he thinks he is. I have great empathy for him & what he sacrificed for this country. But again im My Opinion he is NOT the man he used to be nor is he equiped to be the Leader of this country.

I also read the Seattle Times (pro-GOP & Seattle PI (pro-dem); everything I can find on the internet plus watch Meet the Press, Hardball, Countdown, and CNN. I feel to be fully informed I need to hear & review all views. Except FIX NEWS (Fox). Try reading up on Rupert Murdoch & you will never watch Fox again if you want the truth about any subject.

71 year old "white" mom, grandmom, great grandmom.

Ron, Indiana: I read a lot of snide remarks from...I guess Hillary supporters and McOld supporters.

Yeah, the Ensure and Depends remarks? Hillary and McOld supporters came up with those. I guess McOld isn't a snide remark either. Looks like you're as big as hypocrite as your candidate is. Listen Ron, you've got a candidate that is up to his huge ears in corruption, just barely got the nomination of his party, and now looks like the naive rookie he is. So you've got a few problems that your guy is going to have to deal with, and it doesn't look like he's up to the job.

To BobF
you may be on to something. Perhaps Obama supporters are educated and knowledgeble. But after your first sentence, we can see that you are not an Obama supporter.
( left blank for you to read  )
bottom line: neither are you educated or knowledgeble so maybe you can't read between the line.

I would just like to make a comment on all those that are going to be voting for McCain. I hope all of you are prepared to send your children, brothers and sisters to endless tours of duty in Iraq and soon to Iran. I guess you are happy to have them in these places, fighting for their lives (not ours) in wars that were started for all the wrong reasons. We were lied to then and are being lied to now. And the battle cry is to stay until we WIN,not for PEACE,but until we WIN (McBush). Maybe for a hundred years. And while you under classed people are fighting the wars. The Republicans will keep on giving those huge tax breaks to the top 1%, while you fight their wars and you struggle just to pay for food, gas, and just the necessities. Many are losing their homes and their jobs because of the bad leadership of the Republican Party, and you want to vote for more of the same, that has been going on for the last eight years. Wake up America!!
I am really sad to say that I did vote for Bush both times. Coming on the heels of the attack on the Trade Center and the Pentagon. I really thought Bush had the answers to our security problems. Now reflecting on the issue, I can see among other issues, that 1. Bush junior was really going into war to try to finish what Bush Senior was not allowed to do. 2. For the oil (which we did not and will not get).
If you remember the reason for putting Bush Jr in the White House was to go after Osama Bin Laden, the leader behind the killings at the TC and Washington. A feat that he forgot about when going after Hussein for  WMD, which were never there in the fist place. I am not going to vote for more of the same and pray that you do the same. If not, I hope you can live with the results.
Think about this very carefully. We are fighting a war in Iraq. We are paying for it with borrowed money. The Iraqis' are not paying for rebuilding of their country or anything else. We are, again with borrowed money. How long do you want this to go on?? The Iraqis' are salting their oil money away while we are going down, in the war in Iraq, in our economy, in our prestige in the world, in taking care of the middle and lower classes AND YOU WANT MORE!! Again, I say WAKE UP AMERICA!!  
IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE, REAL CHANGE,WE CAN DO IT, YES WE CAN!!

When God is removed from the equasion you get the Chaos we have now.
gg, fl (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 2:34 PM)

*****************************************************
Given the fact that the people that put the current imbicile in the presidential office,(not once, but twice) were evangelical "christians", I would say that it was because of religion that we have this CHAOS that we have now. Muslims against Jews, Christians against Muslim, Muslim against Hindu... Historically, religion has been the cause for more than a majority of turmoil, since WAR was ever invented.

Politicians should not be allowed to consult or pander to religious "leaders". Period.

When so called Christians are judging the faith and beliefs of another believer aren't they violating one of the basic principlesof the Bible  that says judge ye not less ye be judged, or another principle which say's let him that is without sin cast the first stone.  

It is nice but not necessary for Obama to recognize and speak with various religious leaders.

The majority of our founding fathers including George Washington and others were some pretty smart folks as well as being fundamentally non-religious individuals. They understood the need for separation of Church and State. Let's hope all religious leaders whether invited to this meeting with Obama or not understand the same. They need to understand that what is crucial to a successful democracy is that everyone be allowed to practice (or not to practice) a religious belief as they see fit. But that in order to maintain a cohesive nation it requires a collective of people who share the same secular ideals and principles regardless of their religious / non-religious beliefs or differences.

We need to celebrate and pursue those secular ideals and principles we have as Americans while keeping all religions out of the blueprints needed to govern this country. Respecting religions of all types is only one part of the complex picture. And failure to keep them out of the bluprints results in hard feelings or the dangers of one religious sect having too much say over the lives of others.

When someones gets upset that the list of religious leaders with whom Obama is meeting did not specifically state each and every religion as Jewish Rabbis, etc., then we have already created an enslaving politically correct notion or attitude that somehow only this or that religion will have influence while others will not. A concept and attitude that our forefathers tried to avoid. For this creates jealously and desssension among the religious sects which is silly of course because the intent of our forefathers is that no religious organization or beleif should be involved with or have any sway with our politics. On the other hand organized religion is by its very nature jealous and ethnocentric. If I am right in my belief then they must be wrong in their beliefs.  

Therefore, I supppose if Obama wants to have lunch with some religious leaders here and there, now and again, that is cool. But if one or two or three particular religious organizations are left out on occasion, so what.

Politics and Religion mix fine, and the constitution DOES NOT forbid it. For that matter, voters can apply a religion test if they want to. That IS their right. The medica can too. That IS their right.

The Constitution forbids forming a state religion that is part of the Law of the Land. That is good. However, we as Americans, can choose to have only religious elected leaders, if we vote that way.

Americans for america   June 9th, 2008 6:05 pm ET

Democrats Beware!

Republicans have launched a blogosphere campaign where they claim to be Democrats who will vote for Senator McCain since Senator Clinton is not the democratic nominee!

Do not be fooled!

This is nothing more than republican tricknology, Karl Rovian VODOO; Of course all real democrats would NEVER vote for George W. Bush’s third term, ENDLESS war, overturning of Roe V. Wade, or more record profits and tax breaks for oil companies while the average American spending power continues to thin.

Be Brave Democrats and be watchful!

With a majority Democratic legislature and a Democratic President we can see real change not gridlock! Wake up Dems do not be fooled.


Americans for america   June 9th, 2008 6:05 pm ET

Democrats Beware!

Republicans have launched a blogosphere campaign where they claim to be Democrats who will vote for Senator McCain since Senator Clinton is not the democratic nominee!

Do not be fooled!

This is nothing more than republican tricknology, Karl Rovian VODOO; Of course all real democrats would NEVER vote for George W. Bush’s third term, ENDLESS war, overturning of Roe V. Wade, or more record profits and tax breaks for oil companies while the average American spending power continues to thin.

Be Brave Democrats and be watchful!

With a majority Democratic legislature and a Democratic President we can see real change not gridlock! Wake up Dems do not be fooled.

****************************************************************************

Unfortunately for you this is not true in my case and I suspect in many other cases.  What you are not addressing is the fact that many of HRC's supporters are solid moderates.  Lest you forget most Clinton supporters,  both of Bill and Hillary,  are centrists.  We have seen the benefits of a moderate Administration (WJC's) coupled with an opposite party controlled Congress(Republican).  We have seen the horrors of a one Party controlled government(Republican Congress coupled with GWB's administration).  

I personally have been a Democrat all my life.  I first volunteered for RFK's campaign- and by the way, I am disgusted with any comparison between obama and JFK, MLK Jr. and most especially with Bobby.  Bobby, while underage, joined the US Navy in time of war,  he assisted the Senate Committee on Racketeering,  he served as AG of the US and while doing so undoubtedly helped save the world from nuclear holocaust, then he served as the junior senator from NY instead of accepting the VP spot under Johnson in '64 and of course he ran for president.  Anyone comparing obama to any of these men needs a psychiatrist.

I personally believe that John McCain is much more qualified to be president.  He has served his country all his life.  He has shown a willingness to compromise (just like Ted Kennedy) and an ability to get things done.   I believe that he in concert with a Democrat controlled Congress can accomplish things more in line with the majority of the people than obama, an inexperienced unknown, with undoubted leanings toward far left social programs.  As Clinton had to deal with a Republican Congress I as a moderate prefer McCain dealing with a Democrat Congress than having a Pelosi lead liberal Congress rubber stamping all of obamas socialist policies.

Sorry to burst your bubble!

Also I hope HRC if offered the VP spot turns it down and steers clear of the wreckage so she can pick up the pieces in 2012.  I believe HRC would be more moderate than obama and is undoubtedly the best we Democrats have to offer, but that ship has sailed so its McCain for at least 4.

And you know obama will cut and run from town meetings with no scripts and teleprompters!!

Given his excellent judgement in regards to religious "leaders", this meeting just might turn out to be a "who's who" of racist, radical, **ed-up, whack-jobs!  
Bobbi, Eau Claire, WI (Sent Tuesday, June 10, 2008 2:36 PM)

You apparently have WAY too much time on your hands. Your obviously a Repugnican. No one cares what you have to say, since it's all bigoted hate speech.

So why don't you go eat some more cheese and graze a little more.

IT JUST SO HAPPEN THAT I AM  ONE OF THESE SO CALLED REPUBLICAN THAT THESE SO CALLED RELIGIOUS DEMOCRATS
ARE REFERRING TO. ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT I CAN STILL
RECALL THE LAST CHURCH GOING DEMOCRAT PRESIDENT THAT
THIS COUNTRY WAS STUCK WITH, WHICH WAS SLICK WILLY.
THIS GUY WANT BE ANY BETTER,BELIEVE BE.  

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