As the time draws near for the Saddleback Church showdown between Barack and McCain, the Matthew 25 Network has been quietly busy, airing an ad targeted at Christians in support of Obama.
David Brody lists the text:
Here is the script version of the radio ad:
Narrator: You know it's an election year when certain people start grabbing headlines by attacking the faith of Presidential candidates. With all these stones being cast at Senator Obama, it can be hard to know what to believe. But in Luke, Jesus taught us that we must listen to what a man says because "out of the overflow of his heart, his mouth speaks." So here are words from Senator Obama's heart:
Obama: "I think we make a mistake when we fail to acknowledge the power of faith in people's lives" "kneeling beneath that cross on the South Side, I felt that I heard God's spirit beckoning me. I submitted myself to His will, and dedicated myself to discovering His truth."
Narrator: Paid for by Matthew 25 Network, Matthew 25.org is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Matthew 25 Network is responsible for the content of this ad because we think it's time for a better Christian witness in politics.
http://www.cbn.com/...
His opinion was surprisingly positive:
I think the ad is EXTREMELY strong.
It stays away from public policy and really focuses in his personal commitment to Christ. That is a type of message that Evangelicals will want to hear.
The flip side here is that another group may start running radio spots on Christian radio detailing Obama's liberal positions on issues which may conflict with some Evangelicals.
But look, you have to give this group credit for believing that they have a faithful message with Obama and they are not shy about promoting it. Plus, you won't find any John McCain radio spots on Christian radio right now. Man, how the tables have turned.
I have been following Obama and evangelicals, Matthew 25, and the Joshua project for some time.
McCain in trouble with Hispanic evangelicals
"Matthew 25 Network" Christians for Obama
Obama to launch "Joshua Generation Project"
Kos covered the right wing response to the upcoming forum in
Hateful evangelicals under pressure
I realize that some folks here are extremely uncomfortable about Barack dealing with his faith, and reaching out to evangelicals. Some because of their own status as atheists, others because of Constitutional questions of separation of church and state.
But, in my opinion, the Obama campaign has to do two very important things. We all know McCain has been trying to paint Obama as the Anti-Christ. It's being discussed right now on MSNBC as I type this.
He has also been portrayed, and is being portrayed as "the exotic other".
A majority of Americans are from a Judeo-Christian heritage. I'm not a Christian, nor Jewish (I guess I'm classed as a pagan) , but Barack needs to continue to fight the smears, the TM meme, and the right's definition of him. I think this is a good way to do it.
I also think that the Democratic Party has allowed the right to become the sole arbiter of "faith and family values". Which is wrong. What better family values than food on the table, education for our kids, health care for all of us, fighting poverty and ending war.
There is a battle going on in the evangelical community. No longer are the Dobson's, Hagee's and Falwell types controlling the message. They see TD Jakes and Warren as a threat.
Republican evangelical support is slowly eroding. There is a changing demographic in the conservative Christian community, and many young folks are far more interested in world poverty, AIDS, and the environment than they are about the usual right wing wedge issues.
Please checkout diary on the list on the new Matthew 25 TV Ad, by cardboard
Matthew 25 Releases Pro-Obama TV Ad
I will be watching Saturday's forum with interest.
What do you think, and will you be watching?