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Bitter Schism Dominates Faith Forum

Dems try to close God Gap, but debate cleaves to politics

By Greg Atwan,  Newser User

Posted Apr 14, 2008 6:48 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Secular politics won the day at last night's "Compassion Forum" in Pennsylvania, the LA Times reports, despite the Democratic contenders' resolve to present a united front on faith. Hillary Clinton used her pulpit at Messiah College to sermonize against her rival's comments on "bitter" religious voters, again calling the line "elitist, out of touch, and, frankly, patronizing."

Clinton drew subtle parallels between Obama and former White House hopefuls like John Kerry, furthering her theme that the effete don't have a prayer in the general election. Obama called his remarks "clumsy," but protested his strong Christian faith and maintained that he was referring to something in his own life: "religion as a bulwark, a foundation, when other things aren't going well." The hopefuls did touch on abortion, the environment, and poverty.

Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., participates in a Bipartisan Presidential Compassion Forum at Messiah College, in Grantham, Pa., Sunday, April 13, 2008.
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., participates in a Bipartisan Presidential Compassion Forum at Messiah College, in Grantham, Pa., Sunday, April 13, 2008.   (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks at the Compassion Forum at Messiah College in Grantham, Pa., Sunday, April 13, 2008.
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks at the Compassion Forum at Messiah College in Grantham, Pa., Sunday, April 13, 2008.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks at the Compassion Forum held at Messiah College in Grantham, Pa., Sunday, April 13, 2008.
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks at the Compassion Forum held at Messiah College in Grantham, Pa., Sunday, April 13, 2008.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The candidates participate in a Compassion Forum at Messiah College, in Grantham, Pa., Sunday, April 13, 2008.
The candidates participate in a Compassion Forum at Messiah College, in Grantham, Pa., Sunday, April 13, 2008.   (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., begins his time participating in a Compassion Forum at Messiah College, in Grantham, Pa., Sunday, April 13, 2008.
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., begins his time participating in a Compassion Forum at Messiah College, in Grantham, Pa., Sunday, April 13, 2008.   (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
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Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • religion • Pennsylvania • faith • Bittergate • compassion forum • Messiah College

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