Let's antagonize the G&L crowd

Obama sends message with Warren invitation

Selecting the evangelical pastor to deliver the inaugural invocation upsets gay-rights supporters

BY MARY RAE BRAGG TH STAFF WRITER

The interest and opinions surrounding Barack Obama's choices for his new administration make for great political chatter, but none more interesting than his selection of Pastor Rick Warren to deliver the inaugural invocation.

Warren, founder of the evangelical Saddleback Church, in Lake Forest, Calif., and author of the best-selling nonfiction "The Purpose Driven Life," hosted a televised forum featuring Obama and the Republican nominee John McCain during the presidential campaign.

Known for urging his followers to address social issues such as poverty, disease and global warming, Warren also supports traditional evangelical positions on abortion and gay marriage, most recently calling for passage of California's Proposition 8 that outlaws marriage between homosexuals.

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Smart move, reach out to a large portion of the GOP base to have them think maybe you might be on their side while at the same time letting the GLAD crowd you aren't going to bend over for them each time they start to whine. Make you look inclusive but only by slightly excluding some.

Scandal Meter:

2 of 10 (sorry but pissed off constituents at the expense of sucking up to fundies merits something)

Dirty Deals from Illinois

Blagojevich arrested on federal charges

December 9, 2008 at 2:11 PM - Chicagobreakingnews.com

Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris, were arrested today by FBI agents for what U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald called a "staggering" level of corruption involving pay-to-play politics in Illinois' top office.

Blagojevich is accused of a wide-ranging criminal conspiracy, including alleged attempts by the governor to try to sell or trade the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama in exchange for financial benefits for the governor and his wife. Blagojevich also is accused of obtaining campaign contributions in exchange for other official actions.

Blagojevich was taken into federal custody at his North Side home this morning--one day shy of his 52nd birthday.

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Christmas comes early! After living in Chicago for more than 8 years, it is not suprising to find out when they are dirty, 44 has to be one of the cleanest to have made it out of there since Abe. GOP/DEM...they are all crooked as Capone but it doesn't get sweeter than this. Blago, who knew he was under investigation, was thicker than Gary Hart. I am just glad this means that JJJ, no not Jay Jonah Jameson, won't get the post.

Scandal Meter:

44 - 5 of 10 | Though he's not directly involved, 44's chief of staff took the concressional seat of the governor, and it's his senate seat...there's going to be a link.

Chicago Dems : 2 of 10 | Come on, this is nothing in their slime pit