Obama says faith-based is okay if it isn't entirely based in faith

I am not sure my headline captures it but it is close. In this New York Times article, Barack Obama is shown Zanesville, OH (near my old stomping grounds) promoting a kind of faith based initiative. After all the reading, I think the issue at odds is whether faith-based groups should be able to take Federal money if they can discriminate in hiring by only hiring people who support the faith on which the group is based. John McCain and most conservatives say such groups should be able to participate if they can control the hiring and Obama says no, groups cannot exclude people of other or no faith from working in their organizations.
I think Obama is very smart. He is courting Evangelicals by speaking an Evangelical dialect. Many rank and file Evangelicals would not support his bottom line positions but his public ideological opponents of late are attacking him without lifting up the alternative in corresponding positive tones. Until Evangelicals begin to promote McCain instead of merely attack Obama, the Illinois Senator is going to scoop up interest and possibly support among moderate Evangelicals where McCain could be strong. Mr Obama is seizing the opportunity.

Scratch that: Dobson and Huckabee deny endorsement report (updated)

Rumors about a Dobson endorsement for Huck are false…

Updated: The Spectator stands by the earlier report while at the same time reporting Mr. Minnery’s denial. Sometimes in organizations these things are done to assess trustworthiness. Not saying that is what has happened here. Focus is a large organization and it is easy for misinformation to get around the water cooler. Tom Minnery is a straight shooter and I certainly trust that what he is saying. Dobson may be considering an endorsement but I won’t believe it until I see it. Now I do think he might be nearing a broadcast with Huckabee…

Also, see this AP report.

From meddling to preaching; two important articles on shifts in Evangelicalism

David Kirkpatrick has a lengthy analysis of shifts in evangelicalism in yesterday’s New York Times. Called “The Evangelical Crackup,” the article describes what appears to be a shift in evangelicalism away from political activism.

And then the Rocky Mountain News describes a similar shift underway at Focus on the Family with the advent of Jim Daly as head of the organization.