Clinton Hires Evangelical Consultant for Presidential Campaign
An "evangelical consultant" has been hired by Hillary Clinton to help attract Christian conservatives in her likely 2008 presidential campaign.
by Anne Thomas
Posted: Wednesday, December 27, 2006, 9:45 (GMT)
An "evangelical consultant" has been hired by Hillary Clinton to help attract Christian conservatives in her likely 2008 presidential campaign.
More than one-quarter of the USA's voters identify themselves as evangelical, a voter bloc that has long been courted by Republicans.
In addition, a similar political operative has successfully aided Democratic candidates in several states in the midterm elections.
Clinton's new hire is Burns Strider, an evangelical Christian who directs religious outreach for House Democrats and is the lead staffer for the Democrats' Faith Working Group, headed by incoming Majority Whip James Clyburn of South Carolina.
Incoming Speaker Nancy Pelosi created the group last year when Democratic strategists observed that the party lost ground in the previous election in part because candidates failed to reach centrist and conservative voters in rural areas, who tend to be churchgoers concerned with moral issues, according to the Washington, D.C.-based publication The Hill.
Strider was an aide to Pelosi when the group was formed and joined Clyburn's staff as policy director of the Democratic Caucus earlier this year, the paper reported.
"Observers of Clinton's expressions of faith say religion has always been important to her, that she attended prayer group meetings while first lady, and that she joined a Senate prayer group shortly after winning election in 2000," The Hill reports.
"Reporters anticipating Clinton's '08 presidential run wrongly discount her expressions of faith as cynical political maneuvering," the observers add.
Clinton is not the only potential Democratic candidate for the White House to launch efforts to appeal to religious voters.
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Added: Friday, December 7, 2007, 19:49 (GMT)
Hillary's stance on abortion is the most practical one.
If abortion was flat out banned, then people would resort to using coat hangers; resulting in the possible death of the fetus and the mother. Abortion should be phased out, and Hillary's solution is the most practical one.
Cameron, Eagan, Minnesota
Added: Wednesday, October 31, 2007, 14:47 (GMT)
The Republicans have been in power for years and years, and have been quite willing to use our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as a tool to manipulate us. And in all those years, nothing has changed on abortion.
Yes, Hillary Clinton is pro-choice, but she is publicly committed to reducing the number of abortions, which she calls a tragedy. The number of abortions under Republicans have actually increased as they fray the social safety net, while they make the world safe for big business, and for China and Sauda Arabia to persecute Christians. Behind closed doors, the rich "pro-choice in their hearts" Republicans are laughing at us.
Aquila, Atlanta, GA
Added: Tuesday, January 2, 2007, 15:37 (GMT)
So Jezebel, er Hillary, is now courting the evangelical vote. Next thing we know, she'll be looking up recipes to make cookies at home. Oh, and by the way, murder (abortion) and homosexuality are not the only evils condemned in the Bible. So are stealing and lying (bearing false witness), and our current administration is guilty on both counts.
Bob, Greensboro, NC
Added: Monday, January 1, 2007, 16:23 (GMT)
Christians are to judge - with righteous judgment. Echoing the sentiment of other posts, Ms. Clinton's "fruit" is absent, at least the good stuff! I wouldn't vote for her regardless - as a reformed feminist, I think the last place mothers and wives need to be is in the political arena. Close minded? Accuse me if you'd like. Women should not be in authority over men - it perverts the natural order of God's creation.
Jennifer, Panama City Beach, FL
Added: Sunday, December 31, 2006, 3:46 (GMT)
Anyone will be better than George W. Bush. He got us mired in an unnecessary, immoral war, and multiple thousands of Iraqis have died as a result, not to mention the 3,000 American service personnel.
Patrick Thomas, Meridian, ID
Added: Friday, December 29, 2006, 21:06 (GMT)
Just because you might stand in your garage does not make you a car. Need I say more? True,we are not to judge, but we are to observe and Christ's words in John 14:15 "If you love me, keep my commandments" pretty much says it all. When I see Hillary keeping ALL commandments, then I will reconsider.
Alicia, Phoenix United States
Added: Friday, December 29, 2006, 19:04 (GMT)
True Christians need to remember that God has put us here to be his hands and feet, and to be the voices that he can use to further his kingdom. We need to think and Vote based on the things that God stands for. He says homosexuality is wrong, harming Children through abortion or abuse is wrong.
Hillary Clinton is adimant about A Women's "right to choose", she is adimant about gay "rights". God Promises that the fruit of the spirit will be evedent in all those who truly believe in the Name and power of Christs Blood. There is no fruit that I have seen flow from Hilary.. only deception and blatant celebration of sinful acts and beliefs.
Ali, Coralville, IA, USA
Added: Friday, December 29, 2006, 3:46 (GMT)
Evangelicals normally believe or don't believe a person by the fruit that they bear. I haven't seen a lot of good fruit coming from this lady. When she starts coming against abortion and gay marriage then and only then will I believe her testimony.
Thomas, Shreveport,LA USA