Obama's Cultural Diplomacy

The Washington Post ^ | 3/5/09 | E. J. Dionne

[steve-b]

Will ending the culture wars be as difficult as repairing a broken economy?

If President Obama's primary task is to restore economic growth, he has also been waging a quiet, long-term campaign to ease the nation's divisions around religious and moral questions.

That venture, which has its roots in a 2006 speech that paid tribute to the political role of religious Americans, bore fruit in last year's election. Obama increased the Democratic share of the vote among Roman Catholics and younger evangelical Christians....

[anniegetyourgun]

"Obama almost certainly hopes that congressional opposition to funding abortion will make this issue go away."

Congressional opposition??? What was E.J. smoking when he wrote that line?

[Darkwolf377]

I can’t stand this prissy little bitch.

He is probably giggling in delight that Chris Matthews has been even mildly critical of Obama. I can just see him standing next to Obama at some function, grinning that gay grin of his, saying “See, Mr. President? *I* never criticized you! They all did, but not me! Can I get you more wine?”

Brownnosing little wuss.

And no, I didn’t read the article! Andrew Sullivan is probably giving this little love note a thousand hits anyway.

[popdonnelly]

Does Dionne mean gestures like telling Doctors with moral issues that they have to perform abortions? Dionne is making Obama propaganda.

[Oldpuppymax]

EJ, your journalistic honesty and reputation for non-biased, straight-arrow reporting are simply legendary. But make sure you pack that new pair of knee pads for the next DNC meeting.

[WestwardHo]

I don’t know how to post photo of “Travis the chimp” with Obama’s name on it. Any volunteer would make my day!

[caseinpoint]

“Since assuming the presidency, he has pressed this effort through persistent calls for personal and family responsibility, a pledge to continue social service partnerships between government and faith-based groups, and a promise to pursue policies to reduce the number of abortions.”

He is citing Obama’s words and ignoring his actions. Obama calls for personal and family responsibility while working to bail out the irresponsible and expanding welfare programs which decimate the family. He continues social service partnerships between government and faith-based groups while redefining “faith-based” to include his ACORN pals. He “urges” people to reduce abortions while making them more available here and abroad. Dionne’s article is a total “Look at what he says, not what he does” camouflage.

Then Dionne spills the beans at the end of his column when he says what Obama wants is to see morals and faith redefined to mean concentrating on “social and economic justice”. This is where the liberal religious groups have been leading for the past several years: ignore pesky matters like abortion and homosexuality and “outdated notions” of sin and work for “social justice.”