It was an honor to today spend just a few moments with President Barack Obama before he spoke at an event here in Portland, Ore. Like many people of faith, I have strong personal support for the president. There are always issues where you disagree with politicians - some of them very important issues - but the core values and ideals lived out by Barack Obama are values that I share. The president often says, quoting from Scripture, that we are our brother's keeper, our sister's keeper. It is that belief that has lead this president to fight for health care reform and an economy that works for everyone - not just the wealthy. Today I told the president that I pray for him and his family - and I do, along with all those who serve in public life - because we need people of moral character in this nation today as much as ever.
Disclaimer: As a minister in the United Church of Christ, I trust deeply in the Constitutional principle of separation of church and state and my endorsement is therefore a personal one and does not reflect on my denomination. But as a citizen I believe that all Americans must engage in the political process as individuals for democracy to thrive. So I choose to participate in the political process as an individual when appropriate.
