Obama's Selection Of Warren To Speak At Inaugural Is Not 'Endorsement' Of Warren's Views On Abortion, Editorial Says

Main Category: Abortion
Article Date: 23 Dec 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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President-elect Barack Obama's choice of evangelical pastor and author Rick Warren to speak at his inauguration "understandably has angered some of the president-elect's supporters," but Obama was "convincing" in "arguing that his invitation" does not "constitute an endorsement of Warren's views" on abortion, gay marriage and other issues, a Los Angeles Times editorial says. According to the editorial, "[h]istory shows that the views of inauguration preachers aren't a reliable guide to the policies of the presidents on whom they invoke God's blessing." It adds, "So it isn't unprecedented for Obama to disagree with the pastor who will pray at his inauguration, as he does on both abortion" and gay marriage.

As Obama said when making the announcement, the "invitation continues a dialogue with evangelical Christians that began when Warren invited Obama to appear before his congregation at Saddleback Church," the editorial says, adding that Warren is "among a group of younger evangelicals who, without renouncing traditional views about abortion and sexuality, have expanded their mission to include environmental stewardship and efforts to eradicate poverty and AIDS. It's because of such views that Obama can credibly include him in his effort to bring Americans together despite differences about social issues." These "explanations won't salve the hurt felt by gays and lesbians over Warren's prominent role in the inauguration, even if (as is likely) the prayer he offers is unobjectionable," the editorial says, concluding, "But those who oppose Obama's choice must be careful not to exaggerate its importance" (Los Angeles Times, 12/19).

Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.nationalpartnership.org. You can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.

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