Obama Religious Adviser Steers Clear of Politics

Decision could cause problems during election in key states

(NEWSER) - President Obama’s official embrace of gay marriage will certainly energize some of his supporters, but it’s also sure to give him grief in these seven states, as rounded up by Politico :

• North Carolina: As evidenced by the recently-passed constitutional amendment banning it, gay marriage is not very popular with voters here. And North Carolina is not only a swing state—it will also host this year’s Democratic National Convention.
• Florida: To put it bluntly, senior citizens don’t tend to like gay marriage. Plus, a high percentage of them vote, and a large number of them live in Florida. An anti-gay marriage amendment passed by a landslide in 2008.

Removed flag available for purchase online

(NEWSER) - O say can you see ... Barack Obama? A local Florida Democratic Party office has removed an American flag that replaced Old Glory's stars with President Obama's face after a handful of angry veterans turned up to call it disrespectful. “What really upsets me is that the flag had apparently been flying for months and no one had done anything about it," vet Jim Bradford told Fox News . The flag had been flying beneath a standard flag outside the offices of the Lake County Democratic Party northwest of Orlando. More»

But she keeps him at arm's length

(NEWSER) - Drug-addled-rocker-cum-evangelical-radio-host Bradlee Dean has won many conservative fans, the New York Times reports. One is apparently Michele Bachmann. She has spoken on Dean's show, but keeps the connection low-profile—perhaps because Dean has commented on executing gays, and says President Obama has done more harm to America than Osama bin Laden. Still, Dean has proven his political allegiance by suing NBC, MSNBC, Rachel Maddow, and others for "willfully and maliciously" harming Bachmann's campaign. More»

Jeb Bush, that is, in education push

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama got a little help from an unlikely ally today in Florida, when Jeb Bush appeared with him at a speech promoting the administration's education agenda at Miami Central High School, the AP reports. Bush introduced Obama, saying that education shouldn't be a partisan issue. Obama shook his hand, then took over. "Aside from being a former governor of this great state, Jeb of course is best known as being the brother of Marvin Bush," he said, garnering a laugh from the audience. More»

Republican urologist's sign tells Dems to 'look elsewhere' for care

(NEWSER) - A Florida urologist is so outraged by the health care reform law that he doesn’t want to treat President Obama’s supporters. “If you voted for Obama, seek urologic care elsewhere,” reads a sign taped to Jack Cassell’s office door. “Changes to your healthcare begin right now, not in four years.” In the waiting room, patients can find photocopies of a Republican handout and a sign reading, “This is what the morons in Washington have done to your health care.” More»