Warren may be an olive branch to Evangelicals because Obama knows what's coming NEXT:

[Bicoastal]

The ensuing controversy over the first openly gay cabinet member in US History. Mary Beth Maxwell, currently the Executive Director of American Rights at Work, is heavily rumored to be up for Secretary of Labor in Obama's Administration.

It's possible, of course, that this still won't happen. However, if it does--

When you compare a day's worth of symbolism to four years of actual representation in the White House, it's fairly clear where Obama's sympathies lie. I would never tell anyone to "Get Over It," but I think some are missing the bigger picture.

[navarth]

1. If you're right, sure. It's a good point.

If you're wrong....well, you know.

[Divine Discontent]

2. I, respectfully, disagree

that piece of shit Warren with his hateful views, and his backing of PROP 8 here in CA being put on that grand of a stage disgusts me to my very fiber - I deserve to be up there giving his invocation more than Warren and I'm a nobody!

It's f*cking bullshit and I'm not backing down, and for damn good reason - Warren is a hurtful smooth-talking bigot!

[Thrill]

3. Not likely. Sounds like Harley Shaiken is getting the job

[Gundam Macross]

4. Having Warren speak will have no impact on any opposition to her. Zero.

[ecstatic]

5. That can't be true! Obama is homophobic!

:eyes:

[yardwork]

8. No, no. He loves gay people. That's why he picked this person:

Rick Warren: But the issue to me is, I知 not opposed to that as much as I知 opposed to the redefinition of a 5,000-year definition of marriage. I知 opposed to having a brother and sister be together and call that marriage. I知 opposed to an older guy marrying a child and calling that a marriage. I知 opposed to one guy having multiple wives and calling that marriage.

Steven Waldman: Do you think, though, that they are equivalent to having gays getting married?

Rick Warren: Oh I do.

http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/12/16/7415

[EFerrari]

12. What part of promoting homophobes is unclear to you, eyes?

[yardwork]

6. I know! Imagine getting upset about this!

Rick Warren: But the issue to me is, I知 not opposed to that as much as I知 opposed to the redefinition of a 5,000-year definition of marriage. I知 opposed to having a brother and sister be together and call that marriage. I知 opposed to an older guy marrying a child and calling that a marriage. I知 opposed to one guy having multiple wives and calling that marriage.

Steven Waldman: Do you think, though, that they are equivalent to having gays getting married?

Rick Warren: Oh I do.

http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/12/16/7415

[ikojo]

7. It doesn't matter that Obama has embraced

Warren. The fundie right will still see him as the anticirist.
Republicans view this capitulation to the right as Democrats not
standing up for what they believe and as weak.

[IndianaJones]

9. what is the sane reason for offering an olive branch to hateful bigots? did the KKK get one? nt.

[jpak]

10. Guess what - they will still oppose him - no matter who gives the invocation.

These people are sociopaths and assholes and should not be coddled.

It doesn't fucking work

[Hansel]

11. There is nothing wrong with extending an olive branch.

But this is neither the time or the place to extend an olive branch in the form of a man who has been so intolerant of many of the people who help elect Obama to this office.

If Obama is the president for everyone, why invite a person who so clearly believes that anyone who chooses a different lifestyle or holds different beliefs and values should not be allowed to pursue that lifestyle or exercise those beliefs? A man who not only believes some of us are 2nd class citizens, but also advocates American citizens to pass laws to treat us that way.

By Obama giving this man this particular platform, rather than demonstrating his message of inclusion, he is actually stomping all over it. There are preachers who tolerate everyone, no matter what their beliefs. He or she, it seems, would be a more appropriate vehicle for Obama's message. Under that invocation of tolerance, let him begin his work. Let him then extend his olive branch.

[Bicoastal]

13. But, as other people on other posts have reminded us, Warren wasn't necessarily Obama's choice.

The Presidential Inaugural Committee is in charge of all the official festivities.

[Neshanic]

14. Phase 2, Obama not involved. Phase 3 now, part of a BIG diabolical plan!

[Bicoastal]

16. Phase 0, Obama hates gay people as much as Rick Warren does?

Please.

[Radical Activist]

15. Having a gay person head the Labor Dept.

where she could actually do something about workplace discrimination would be a big change. I'd be surprised if Obama didn't pick an openly gay cabinet member for some post. He should.

[izquierdista]

17. Reaching out to conservatives

You are right that it's better done for symbolic moments than for actual positions of substance. IMHO, reaching out to conservatives should only be done to grab them and give them a swirlie for what they have done to the country for the last 28 years.

[grantcart]

18. There are other Evangelicals that could have been chosen

[mwei924]

19. If this is the trade-off, it's one I'd be happy to make.

Give the douchebag a few minutes with a mild sermon about coming together, and then move on to the important stuff.

[proud patriot]

20. interesting point

it hadn't crossed my mind . :think: