Re: Obama and his faith, the Progessive Agenda and Militant Atheism.

[Perky]

Bluntly. I would rather pick up 20 percent of the evangelical vote and I would gladly sacrifice 80% of the atheists if that is what it takes.

The idea that Obama must pander to such a small minority opinion is far more outrageous than this man's confession of a reliance on his faith to get him through hard times or to keep him humble (as much as anybody running for President can be humble).

Is he pandering? Of course. Is he sincere? Probably. If he is sincere, is it pandering....An interesting question. But the real question is whether or not his confession of faith is dangerous to either militant atheism, the hot button issues or the Constitution. The answer is obviously "no" on all three counts.

If what Obama said yesterday fro a pulpit in South Carolina or from the pulpit at Rick Warren's Church in California or from the pulpit of the Democratic National convention three+ years ago upsets atheists, that is perfectly understandable, but I would submit it is wrong-headed. For the last quarter century, the GOP and their religious enablers have used faith to shamelessly, abusively, hypocritically, despotically, diabolically, effectively drive a wedge through this country. The result has been at one level, great animosity and vilification. But the truth of the matter is that neither the left nor the religious right are happy with the results. We have all suffered through this war as has the nation. I for one am sickened deeply by it.

I would much rather see some modicum of healing of these politically-inspired fault lines, than go through another quarter century of the same thing. Largely because it has inhibited our about to accomplish anything considerable on issues of poverty, education or healthcare and not because of religious sentiment but because ot the fragile political stalemates the alliances have created



I do not for another instant want to see the battle of the last 25 years, perpetuated by the zealots to continue for another quarter century. That is precisely what the radical atheists and the radical right would seem to want. And that is surely what we would get if they had their way and we allow Ms. Clinton to be the nominee.

If you really think Obama's faith is so insideous...so dangerous...that you are actually prepared to allow the crap of the last quarter century to continue then you go right ahead with your narrow agenda and and your temper tantrum. But just remember that as a result either Hillary will end up as President and we will endure a new culture war or we will end up with Republican President once again beholden to the radical right which was resurrected by the Clinton Nomination.

Either way your hatred and fear of anything or anyone that dares speaks of God will have dire consequences for yet another quarter century. Either way it will play out through the perpetuation of the war in Iraq, inadequate healthcare, inferior education and contentious confirmation battles with slimmer margins and less political capital to spend to advance the progressive cause.

At a time when the Religious Right has no candidate and has lost considerable influence, Obama's appeal to evangelicals is not only refreshing, balanced and genuine, it is politically brilliant, necessary and beneficial to the party and the nation.

I would gladly sacrifice 80% of the atheist vote for even 10% of evangelicals and I would do so, not simply because it politically expedient, but because it is necessary for the progressive agenda to proceed.