The "Obama Pride" button on the presidential candidate's Web site features a rainbow-infused version of the campaign logo. Scroll down a few rows, and you'll find buttons that read "Catholics for Obama," "Pro-Family, Pro-Obama" and "Believers for Barack."
The new line of Obama faith merchandise includes bumper stickers, buttons and signs. A note from the campaign promises forthcoming "merchandise for other religious groups and denominations."
Dr. Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a member of the Focus on the Family board, called the move "symbolism and style over substance."
"This generic reach-out to people of 'faith' is going to be pretty quickly seen for what it is: more advertising than substance," he told CitizenLink. "This became abundantly clear in the Saddleback Civil Forum on the Presidency, when Barack Obama, having declared that he and his campaign were going to be reaching out to evangelicals, seemed to be completely out of touch with what evangelicals were concerned about, especially on issues of human life and marriage."
Mohler said he doesn't expect most Americans to fall for the "clever packaging."
"To put out a button that says 'Pro-Family, Pro-Obama' says basically nothing, other than a very clear attempt to use the language," he said. " 'Believers for Barack' is very interesting, but believers in what? Believers in whom?"
Some may see this as a shift in the right direction, but Mohler said he is waiting to see a change in the substance of Obama's positions and policies — not just bumper stickers and buttons.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
FRC Action's Presidential Voter Guide shows you where the candidates stand on issues that matter.
Visit Dr. Mohler's blog.
