Bush backer pens pro-Obama, Trinity Church book

[Steve James]

Mon 16 Jun 2008 23:10
http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/200806 ... tico/11099

Ben Smith

The conservative Evangelical biographer of George W. Bush and Tom DeLay has moved on to a new subject: Barack Obama. And his new book, due out this summer, may lend credibility to Senator Obama's bid to win Evangelical Christian voters away from the Republican Party.

The forthcoming volume from Stephen Mansfield (http://www.mansfieldgroup.com/), whose sympathetic "The Faith of George W. Bush" spent 15 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list in 2004, is titled "The Faith of Barack Obama." Its tone ranges from gently critical to gushing, and the author defends Obama-and even his controversial former minister, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright-from conservative critics, and portrays him as a compelling figure for Christian voters.

"Young Evangelicals are saying, 'Look, I'm pro-life but I'm looking at a guy who's first of all black-and they love that; two, who's a Christian; and three who believes faith should bear on public policy," Mansfield, who described himself as a conservative Republican, said in a telephone interview. "They disagree with him on abortion, but they agree with him on poverty, on the war."

His book, provided exclusively to Politico by the publisher, focuses more on Obama's religious journey than his electoral prospects.

"For Obama, faith is not simply political garb, something a focus group told him he ought to try. Instead, religion to him is transforming, lifelong, and real," Mansfield writes, going on to compare Obama favorably to Christian Democratic presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, who he says erected a "wall of separation" between their religion and their governance.

By contrast, "Obama's faith infuses his public policy, so that his faith is not just limited to the personal realms of his life, it also informs his leadership," Mansfield writes.

The book is published by Thomas Nelson, the world's largest Christian publisher. It's due out August 5. "The Faith of Barack Obama" is expected to retail in Christian outlets and the Wal-Mart chain of stores, as well as secular bookstores. A motivational speaker and former pastor, Mansfield is the author of several books on faith as well as the co-author of former House Republican powerhouse Tom DeLay's 2007 book "No Retreat, No Surrender," a defense of his tarnished legacy sprinkled with fierce attacks on his opponents and on liberal causes.

Mansfield writes that Obama "is unapologetically Christian and unapologetically liberal." But he writes that in substance and in style, Obama holds an appeal to Evangelicals that Senator John McCain may lack.

He contrasted Obama's relative "fluency" with the language of religion-his campaign has outlined a pitch to the "Joshua Generation," a common term in Christian circles for younger Evangelicals-with the approach of his Republican rival.

"The McCain campaign is pretty clumsy when it comes to religion," he said, noting McCain's courtship, then renunciation, of two prominent Evangelical pastors, John Hagee and Rod Parsley.

In his Fathers Day speech at a Chicago church Sunday, Obama again spoke explicitly of his personal Christianity: "We do what we can to build our house upon the sturdiest rock, and for me that means building that house on the foundation of Jesus Christ."

Mansfield's book validates Obama's attempt-which began in earnest in his 2004 speech to the Democratic National Convention-to provide a compelling public face to the nascent "Religious Left." In that speech, he proclaimed that "we worship an awesome God in the blue states," and Mansfield tracks his continuing attempts to contest the Republican hold on white Evangelical voters.

One notable moment came in 2006 when Obama appeared at Reverend Rick Warren's megachurch beside GOP Senator Sam Brownback.

"Welcome to my house," Brownback told Obama on stage.

"This is my house too," Obama responded. "This is God's house."

Obama, Mansfield writes, "made it clear to all that he [will] not be moved from his rightful place in the Christian fold."

Obama's Christianity, however, has been under attack on two fronts this campaign season. The first is from a false, but widely held, belief that he is a Muslim. Mansfield dismisses that charge, then dwells at length on Obama's controversial church, Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ.

Mansfield said in the interview that he entered Trinity having heard "that Obama's church was a cult, something un-Christian, that Reverend Wright was a nut," but emerged with the view that it is "a pretty solid Christian church."

His warm description of the church reflects that view.

Though Mansfield writes of some jarringly radical features of the black liberation theology from which Trinity is descended, he concludes that what it offers is the "'born-again, new birth, blood-washed, Spirit-empowered Chrstianity' that Evangelicals know."

"Few sermons this good will be preached anywhere in America on this Sunday morning," he says of the sermon he heard from Trinity's current pastor, Rev. Otis Moss.

Mansfield's book is addressed to Evangelical readers, and it raises some questions about Obama's own faith, including his willingness to see contradictions in the bible, his belief that religions other than Protestant Christianity provide other "paths" to a "higher power," and his doubts about the afterlife.

There are also passages in Mansfield's book that may give Obama's secular supporters pause. In particular, a theme from his book on Bush—the suggestion that the president's rise was itself an act of God-reappears in his coverage of Obama. He approvingly quotes Obama's old rival Rep. Bobby Rush saying that Obama's Senate win was "divinely ordained."

"Increasingly, words such as called, chosen, and anointed are being used of Obama," he writes.

Despite Mansfield's praise of the candidate, however, and his view that Obama may win over large numbers of younger Evangelical voters, the author also demonstrates the limits to the Democrats' appeal.

Mansfield said he will vote against Obama in November for a single reason: "Because I'm pro-life."

[MikeC]

Oh boy, a book about Oblama's faith...someone must've smelled the money on that one...
$$$$$$

[Steve James]

Yep, the guy that wrote the same book about Bush. How 'bout what he says, though. And he ain't even gonna vote for Obama.

[steelincotton]

I'm not into Christianity at all. In fact, I think it's total hogwash. With that said, it never made sense to me how the republicans cornered the market on faith, religion, and family values. Especially, since so many of elected republican officials/politicians have been caught stealing money, cheating on their wives, renting hookers, having gay relations, hanging out in men's rooms, and diddling young boys! How on earth do they claim to be the party of family values? Meanwhile, the democrats (or at least most of them) try to live and let live just like Jesus Christ himself would have done. We accept gays and lesbians, non-religious and religious people, we respect a women's rights to their own bodies, and create government social programs to help the sick, the needy, the old, and the poor! Now that's family values!! Obama is crossing another divide here; not only culturally, ethnically, and socially, but now he's planted roots in the religious-based voters minds too!!

[Steve James]

It is ironic. The so-called "Black Liberation Theology" churches are almost "fundamentalist" in their views. They are always very "conservative" when it comes to their belief in Jesus Christ. If you think about the history of the AA church, up to and including the 'non-violent' movement of MLK, it is hard to doubt their sincerity. However, they are generally portrayed as being anti-American and un-Christian.

It's ironic for Obama because he'll certainly be condemned for his assertions of American and/or Christian belief. So, if he talks about 'family values', it'll be called a political ploy. If he went to church regularly, people --who haven't gone to church in years-- will ask how he could have gone to the one he did.

[MikeC]

It's ironic for Obama because he'll certainly be condemned for his assertions of American and/or Christian belief. So, if he talks about 'family values', it'll be called a political ploy. If he went to church regularly, people --who haven't gone to church in years-- will ask how he could have gone to the one he did.

I think Oblama will be 'condemned' for attending a Church with such a racist, America-hating bigot such as Rev. Wright, rather than his specific religious beliefs. And then even doubly criticized when he tosses out Wright when it's no longer politically feasible to be associated with the guy anymore.

Mike

[steelincotton]

I think Oblama will be 'condemned' for attending a Church with such a racist, America-hating bigot such as Rev. Wright, rather than his specific religious beliefs. And then even doubly criticized when he tosses out Wright when it's no longer politically feasible to be associated with the guy anymore.

Mike

You mean the same way McBush practically got down on his knees and begged for Parsley and Hagee's endorsements?

And then once endorsed by them, and initially standing by them while the story broke how racist their views are, he then realized he could no longer do so because it wouldn't be politically feasible? LOL. Give me a break man.

At least the Rev Wright after personally witnessing the horrors, injustice, and tragedies of racism first hand, STILL had enough belief in our country to serve as a damn MARINE!!! Talk about a true patriot! That says a lot about his character, and at the least he served his country, and risked his own life while doing so. As far as I'm concerned any man who puts his life in risk for his country is more than entitled to speak out against it in the face of injustice and racism specifically. In fact, it's the patriotic thing to do.

Again, if this is the entire republican game plan, and so far it appears to be the only thing they plan on "trying" to do; if it the campaign is solely about smearing Obama's good name and character, than I say "BRING IT ON!" Sound familiar? The republicans need an entire new playbook and until they wake up to that fact, I'm afraid they are about to lose 20 to 40 more seats in Congress and the presidency to boot!. Thankfully, we'll finally be able to elect some liberal-valued judges to the supreme court so we can counter-balance the right wingnut neo-cons like Scalia, that douchebag.

[MikeC]

I think Oblama will be 'condemned' for attending a Church with such a racist, America-hating bigot such as Rev. Wright, rather than his specific religious beliefs. And then even doubly criticized when he tosses out Wright when it's no longer politically feasible to be associated with the guy anymore.

Mike

You mean the same way McBush practically got down on his knees and begged for Parsley and Hagee's endorsements?

And then once endorsed by them, and initially standing by them while the story broke how racist their views are, he then realized he could no longer do so because it wouldn't be politically feasible? LOL. Give me a break man.

More of the "well Oblama is better than McCain" pander.

At least the Rev Wright after personally witnessing the horrors, injustice, and tragedies of racism first hand, STILL had enough belief in our country to serve as a damn MARINE!!! Talk about a true patriot! That says a lot about his character, and at the least he served his country, and risked his own life while doing so.

I think McSame did that too right?

As far as I'm concerned any man who puts his life in risk for his country is more than entitled to speak out against it in the face of injustice and racism specifically. In fact, it's the patriotic thing to do.

Yeah, especially when your gubmint is developing an AIDs virus specifically to target black people.
LOL.

Again, if this is the entire republican game plan, and so far it appears to be the only thing they plan on "trying" to do; if it the campaign is solely about smearing Obama's good name and character, than I say "BRING IT ON!" Sound familiar? The republicans need an entire new playbook and until they wake up to that fact, I'm afraid they are about to lose 20 to 40 more seats in Congress and the presidency to boot!. Thankfully, we'll finally be able to elect some liberal-valued judges to the supreme court so we can counter-balance the right wingnut neo-cons like Scalia, that douchebag.

Actually, I think of him as quite literate and thorough. But then again when it comes to Supreme Court justices the only mantra in your mind is "Roe v. Wade" "Roe v. Wade" "Roe v. Wade"...

Mike

[steelincotton]

No, it's more about.. .why the hell do you keep bringing up the pastor issues, when McCain did more or less the same exact thing. He got endorsed - he stood by them at first - and then he threw them under the bus! It's just a fact. And the reality is, it's basically a non-issue, and people do not even want to talk about it anymore. Those who are racist and need some excuse/any excuse not to vote for Obama, shall have one. Rev Wright said this, Wright said that, blah , blah , blah - Whatever.

Serving our country:
Sure McSame did, but we are not talking about McSame, I was talking about Rev Wright. Did Hagee and Parsley enlist to be Marines? No, I don't think so.

AIDS targeting black people:
Well, who knows really? Do you honestly believe AIDS came from a monkey? I'm not so sure. I do NOT trust our current government as far as I could throw them. I am extremely wary of the devious things our government can and has done in the past. I'm still not sure 9/11 wasn't an inside job to some degree or another. Just look at Iraq now. How many innocent women and children has our government KILLED now? How many more will we keep KILLING even though it's now a FACT that we are there under false pretenses???

We are the most feared nation in the world, and this is exactly why. We kill when ever it suits our purposes, and for whatever reasons - valid or not! Remember, war and murder is big business and lots of rich folks are making big $$$ as we stay in Iraq.

BTW, saying "gubmint" sounds a bit racist to me; sounds like a black slur, but maybe I'm getting too nitpicky here.

Supreme Court Justices:
That's exactly right, I feel it's one of the most important issues to stand up for. Once the government call tell a woman what she can and can not do with her own body, I can only wonder what's next from these creeps in the SC. Bush's main objective for picking the creeps he has, is EXACTLY because they are anti-abortion. That's no secret. Warrantless wiretapping, habeas-corpus, no more bankruptcy for people (only for corporations), gitmo, The PATRIOT ACT, outsourcing our military, economy, jobs, etc., ordinary people can't even sue corporations anymore - and all this is because of your silly right wingnut ideology, which is the very reason why our country is going down the drain so fast. It's time for the liberals take over so we can FINALLY get something done for the people for a change. America deserves it, and we the people shall demand it this coming November.

The republicans have shown what their all about today, and it's certainly not about conservatism anymore. No sir, they are corporate bought, owned, and sold. The more money you have, the more reasons you have to be a republican today. It's all about Wall Street, not main street (to quote Obama). If you are NOT a rich man, I simply can not find a single reason why you (or any other hard working American) should want to vote republican (it's been proven time and time again that the highly "ill-informed" vote against their own interests every single election, which is why so many poor people have voted for republicans in the past, but not this time). Today, the Republican party means rich peoples party for Wall Street. Let's just rename it RPPWS, and do away with all the phoney false pretenses of being "conservatives."

[MikeC]

No, it's more about.. .why the hell do you keep bringing up the pastor issues, when McCain did more or less the same exact thing. It's just a fact. And the reality is, it's basically a non-issue. Those who are racist and need some excuse/any excuse not to vote for Obama shall have one. Rev Wright said this , said that, blah , blah , blah - NON ISSUE!

Sure it is. Do you want to elect some guy who's been hanging around Rev. Wright for 20 years plus, pumping his fist in the air and shouting hate towards to the white man? Talk about dividing the country up...

Serving our country:
Sure McSame did, but we are not talking about McSame, I was talking about Rev Wright. Did Hagee and Parsley enlist to be Marines? No, I don't think so.

Well, if you can jump back and forth between Oblama and McCain in your posts then so can the rest of us buddy..

AIDS targeting black people:
Well, who knows really? Do you honestly believe AIDS came from a monkey? I'm not so sure. I do NOT trust our current government as far as I could throw them. I am extremely wary of the devious things our government can and has done in the past. I'm still not sure 9/11 wasn't an inside job to some degree or another. Just look at Iraq now. How many innocent women and children has our government KILLED now? How many more will we keep KILLING even though it's now a FACT that we are there under false pretenses???

More conspiracy theory..

BTW, saying "gubmint" sounds a bit racist to me; sounds like a black slur, but maybe I'm getting too nitpicky here.

You read WAYYY too much into things sometimes Derek.

Supreme Court Justices:
That's exactly right, I feel it's one of the most important issues to stand up for. Once the government call tell a woman what she can and can not do with her own body, I can only wonder what's next from these creeps in the SC. Bush's main objective for picking the creeps he has is EXACTLY because they are anti-abortion, and it fits there nutty Christian beliefs as well. Warrantless wiretapping, habeas-corpus, no more bankruptcy for people (only for corporations), gitmo, The PATRIOT ACT, ordinary people can't sue corporations anymore - and all this is because of your silly right wingnut ideology, which is the very reason why our country is going down the drain and fast. It's time for the liberals take over so we can FINALLY get something done for the people for a change. America deserves it, and we the people shall demand it this coming November.

Well hell, I guess we just blew right past talking Obama and McCain and you went right into auto-pilot on your liberal, hate-freek tirade.

The republicans have shown what their all about today, and it's certainly not about conservatism anymore. No sir, they are corporate bought, owned, and sold. The more money you have, the more reasons you have to be a republican today. If you are not a rich man, I simply can not find a single reason why you (or any other hard working American) should want to vote republican (well, ignorance is one of the reasons - it's been proven time and time again that the highly "ill-informed" vote against their own interests every single election). Today, the Republican party means rich peoples party. Let's just rename it RPP, and do away with all the phoney false pretenses of being "conservatives."

And what category do the limousine liberals like Clinton, Kerry and Kennedy fall under? Bet they've never pulled any strings for their high-powered friends.
Nah never.

[steelincotton]

No, it's more about.. .why the hell do you keep bringing up the pastor issues, when McCain did more or less the same exact thing. It's just a fact. And the reality is, it's basically a non-issue. Those who are racist and need some excuse/any excuse not to vote for Obama shall have one. Rev Wright said this , said that, blah , blah , blah - NON ISSUE!

Sure it is. Do you want to elect some guy who's been hanging around Rev. Wright for 20 years plus, pumping his fist in the air and shouting hate towards to the white man? Talk about dividing the country up...

Serving our country:
Sure McSame did, but we are not talking about McSame, I was talking about Rev Wright. Did Hagee and Parsley enlist to be Marines? No, I don't think so.

Well, if you can jump back and forth between Oblama and McCain in your posts then so can the rest of us buddy..

AIDS targeting black people:
Well, who knows really? Do you honestly believe AIDS came from a monkey? I'm not so sure. I do NOT trust our current government as far as I could throw them. I am extremely wary of the devious things our government can and has done in the past. I'm still not sure 9/11 wasn't an inside job to some degree or another. Just look at Iraq now. How many innocent women and children has our government KILLED now? How many more will we keep KILLING even though it's now a FACT that we are there under false pretenses???

More conspiracy theory..

BTW, saying "gubmint" sounds a bit racist to me; sounds like a black slur, but maybe I'm getting too nitpicky here.

You read WAYYY too much into things sometimes Derek.

Supreme Court Justices:
That's exactly right, I feel it's one of the most important issues to stand up for. Once the government call tell a woman what she can and can not do with her own body, I can only wonder what's next from these creeps in the SC. Bush's main objective for picking the creeps he has is EXACTLY because they are anti-abortion, and it fits there nutty Christian beliefs as well. Warrantless wiretapping, habeas-corpus, no more bankruptcy for people (only for corporations), gitmo, The PATRIOT ACT, ordinary people can't sue corporations anymore - and all this is because of your silly right wingnut ideology, which is the very reason why our country is going down the drain and fast. It's time for the liberals take over so we can FINALLY get something done for the people for a change. America deserves it, and we the people shall demand it this coming November.

Well hell, I guess we just blew right past talking Obama and McCain and you went right into auto-pilot on your liberal, hate-freek tirade.

The republicans have shown what their all about today, and it's certainly not about conservatism anymore. No sir, they are corporate bought, owned, and sold. The more money you have, the more reasons you have to be a republican today. If you are not a rich man, I simply can not find a single reason why you (or any other hard working American) should want to vote republican (well, ignorance is one of the reasons - it's been proven time and time again that the highly "ill-informed" vote against their own interests every single election). Today, the Republican party means rich peoples party. Let's just rename it RPP, and do away with all the phoney false pretenses of being "conservatives."

And what category do the limousine liberals like Clinton, Kerry and Kennedy fall under? Bet they've never pulled any strings for their high-powered friends.
Nah never.

Is that what Rev Wright did for 20 years Mike? Wright never helped poor people? Homeless people? Unemployed people find jobs? All he did was damn America for 20 years? He never served his country proudly as a Marine? You are delusional sir. You need to learn more about the man than a 1 minute video-clip on TV. BTW, what has Hagee and Parsley been preaching for 20 years? Love and peace? LOL. Wake up sir, the sky is indeed blue.

Invading Iraq was a conspiracy theory? LOL. Do you think the USA is acting accordingly right NOW while we still murder women and children in Iraq even though it is now FACT that we had no reason to go there and never did? Also, do you know 100% how AIDS started, because I sure do not? Only a very simple person would take the Bush government's word on anything today. They have lied to us over and over and over again. Wake up sir.

Liberal-hate freek tirade? I see. Questioning the government's ability to oversee your own body, or the right to your own privacy and representation against false accusers is a freek tirade? LOL. I see you are properly entrenched in the republican smear your opponent type of debating here. Instead of actually discussing issues, you lash out and call me a freek. Whatever.

Who's talking about Clinton and Kerry? Not me, they are part of the same old same old as far as I'm concerned. I hate Clinton! Sure, I'd take them anyday over senior citizen McCain, but Obama is not them. Obama is a new breed. Obama is not just a democrat, he's an American who is proud to work with the repulicans to get something real done for a change. One day after you wake up from your Ronald Reagan fantasy you've been living in, you'll understand that Obama is actually going to help YOU. Right off the bat, you get a $1000.00 tax cut. Sounds good to me. All hail president Barack Obama. I'm ready to go and all fired up!!!!! Obama 08.

[Steve James]

What did Wright say bad about the "white man." Or, it this the same "lie" that gets repeated.

Lots of people have said bad things about "America" and the way "America" behaves in the world. Listen to public radio, any day of the week. Part of it, at least part of the reason someone like Wright might say "God damn America" is that "sometimes" because of the people who are in power "America" has done things its people (white, black, yellow, red and brown) should not be particularly proud of.

Talking about "white people" is only seen as racist because "white people" aren't used to be talking about. Black, red, brown and yellow people get talked about all the time. I.e., how they act, the conditions they live under, their ability to learn; shucks, there are still debates (among white people) about whether others are "equal" or not. Of course, if others ask that question, they're racists.

Anyway, the thread contained things that an Obama non-supporter has said about him and the Trinity Church. Why not be specific and refute what he (or Wright said). I don't mean get "bitter" or indignant; I mean refute (prove wrong) or at least challenge it. Just calling someone a racist is just whining, as if he hurt your feelings.

[qiphlow]

this thread is officially awesome.

[ninepalace]

I'm not into Christianity at all. In fact, I think it's total hogwash. With that said, it never made sense to me how the republicans cornered the market on faith, religion, and family values. Especially, since so many of elected republican officials/politicians have been caught stealing money, cheating on their wives, renting hookers, having gay relations, hanging out in men's rooms, and diddling young boys! How on earth do they claim to be the party of family values?

indeed, it is an obscenity to say the republicans are the party of family values. and how many elected republicans are even christian? how many of them pray?

bill maher said it best, the buttoned-up-tight are the biggest freaks.

[I-mon]

I feel privileged to be exposed to the views of MikeC.

Thanks MikeC, you blow my mind.