The Wall Street Journal has published an interesting take on Barack Obama by Laura Meckler. Obama has managed to be even more religious than George W. Bush in his speech, but also reaches out equally to non-believers. Meckler’s article discusses whether Obama can reach out to one end of the spectrum without alienating the other.
EXCERPT:
Mr. Obama speaks easily about his own faith. White House events, even those without a religious theme, often begin with a prayer. And the president said he would expand President George W. Bush’s outreach to faith-based organizations.
At the same time, he has taken a series of policy steps that are troubling to religious conservatives, and pledged that decisions in his administration would be governed by science. He reversed Bush policies on funding for international family-planning groups and stem-cell research, and he has moved to rescind regulations that allow health-care workers to opt out of duties that offend their beliefs.
But even when taking these stands, which would be expected of a Democratic president, he often makes a point to say that he understands the other side.
That stance could win him respect from both sides, but it will be difficult to pull off. “Showing respect and being inclusive will only take the president so far,” said John C. Green, senior fellow at the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.
Read the full article at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123785559998620329.html