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Sen. Obama May Score Big With Support Of Faith-Based Programs

By 316Networks.com

Published: July 07, 2008

Sen. Barack Obama's recent announcement to expand President Bush's faith-based programs apparently has received some praise from conservatives and Christian voters who feared the initiative would be dissolved if a liberal Democrat won the upcoming presidential election.

According to conservative commentator, Patrick Buchanan, Obama's decision to further develop the federal program, which makes it easier for faith-based organizations to get federal funding for social activities, may help "diminish some of the hostility" towards Obama by social conservatives who strongly oppose his positions on abortion and gay marriage.

"It looks like he's reaching out to them ... It's a win for him," says Buchanan, who recently defended Dr. James Dobson's criticism of Obama when stating the Illinois senator was "distorting" the Bible to support his "own worldview" and "confused theology."

Meanwhile, David Brody, a correspondent for Christian Broadcasting Network, informed CNN viewers that reaction to Obama's speech from the Christian community was "relatively positive."

Brody also stated that Sen. Obama "has seemed to be one step ahead when it comes to this faith-and-politics intersection."

Late last month, Sen. Obama met with dozens of prominent Christian leaders, which including Franklin Graham, as well as launching the Joshua Generation Project in order to reach out to young people of faith.

However, presumptive Republican nominee John McCain also received high marks on last week when he met with some 100 conservative Christian leaders who "agreed to unite behind" his candidacy.

Held in Denver, the gathering was attended Phil Burress of the Ohio Christian Alliance. Burress, who earlier said of McCain, "We don't like him and he doesn't like us," according to the Los Angeles Times, seemed to have a change of heart after meeting privately with McCain along with several pro-life leaders.

Burress and other evangelical leaders also urged Sen. McCain to not only pick a social-conservative running mate, but to also talk more openly about value voter issues, such as abortion and gay "marriage."

"We need something from Senator McCain to help rev up our people," Burress said. "Our people are flat. They don't seem interested."

Rick Scarborough, an ordained pastor and founder of the conservative group, Vision America, said he is motivated to help McCain get into the White House primarily because of Obama.

"I am not committed to doing everything I can within my power to get John McCain elected," Scarborough said. "I am 100 percent committed to seeing that Barack Obama is not elected."

A recent CNN poll conducted in June found nearly two-thirds of white evangelical voters surveyed (64 percent) supported McCain, while 30 percent backed Obama.

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