Christian Group Airing Pro-Obama Ad in Ohio
*By Ed O'Keefe* A new radio ad that begins airing in Ohio on Friday employs some key biblical phrases in an attempt to gain support for Barack Obama among the state's Evangelical Christians. Former Congressman Tony Hall, an anti-abortion Democrat, voices the message produced and paid for by the Matthew 25 Network, an independent political group run by progressive Christians. "We have lost thousands of jobs, and folks are struggling with bills this month, forget about next month," Hall says in the ad. "We need a president who sees those who are hurting and cares for the least of these. This is why I am supporting Barack Obama. As a child, Barack knew hard times too. He had to rely on food stamps to get by. And as a Christian, Barack believes God calls us to care for those in need. He has spent his life doing just that. As president, Barack Obama will work to feed the hungry, create good jobs, cover health care and cut taxes for those who need it most." Hall's use of the words "Least of these" could earn Obama credibility with Christian voters familiar with the widely quoted 40th verse from the 25th Chapter of the Bible's Book of Matthew: "I tell you the truth, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." Obama is one of many politicians, most notably President Bush, who sprinkle political speeches with biblical references. It's done in an effort to earn "Bible-belt bona fides," as Newsweek<http://people.cas.sc.edu/rosati/fineman.god.newsweek.303.htm>magazine once described the president's efforts. "I think it's something that people are familiar with," Matthew 25 director Mara Vanderslice said of the passage. "It's going to connect to a story and to a very important foundational teaching in the Gospel." Political outreach by Christian groups has long been associated with Republican candidates and conservative causes. "One of our goals with this project is to raise up a different Christian witness," Vanderslice said. Whereas more established Christian groups may focus on abortion or same sex marriage, Matthew 25's main concerns include family, eradication of poverty and world peace. It aired a pro-Obama TV spot during last month's Saddleback Forum<http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/08/15/christian_pac_ad_emphasizes_ob.html>that emphasized his role as a husband and father. The group has not finalized its ad buy, but intends to air it on Christian radio stations in ten to fifteen markets across Ohio, at least 30 to 40 times on each station, Vanderslice said. -- "Usually when people are sad, they don't do anything. They just cry over their condition. But when they get angry, they bring about a change." - Malcolm X, Malcolm X Speaks, 1965 --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Black Focus Inc." group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Black-Focus-Inc?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
