Rick Warren to give the Inaugural invocation? Tom Vilsack for USDA Secretary?
That's not change we can believe in. Although the Vilsack pick isn't all that surprising, Obama has always been on the wrong side of farm/ag policy issues. The Warren selection is mind-boggling and, frankly, insulting.
1 comment:
I realize that I'm chiming in here a little late but I disagree with your take on Warren.
I can understand why many Obama supporters that are disappointed by the fact that he is being included in the inauguration, particularly in the gay community, but I think it's important to look at the big picture. While I disagree with Warren on a number of issues, I think it's important to point out that he is a moderate among the evangelical community and that he is very good on issues like poverty and HIV.
This is an opportunity for Obama and the Democratic party to reach out to moderate evangelicals and demonstrate that the party isn't hostile to people of faith. At the same time the selection of Warren elevates his profile among leaders of the community and helps marginalize extremist leaders like James Dobson, Pat Robertson and Chuck Colson.
To be sure there are limits to the extent of the potential collaboration. Issues like abortion and homosexuality will likely remain a sticking point but engaging in civil dialogue on those issues is good for the health of our country. In any event I'd rather engage in that dialogue with moderates like Warren than the previous generation of evangelical standard bearers.
That is a change that I can believe in.
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