Obama Reaches Out to Religious Voters

October 16, 2007

Author: ERIC GORSKI

Source: The Associated Press

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hDs1G4KcPg0QdpjieZ3p9oj2j_CgD8SA6CJG0

The invitation appeared one Sunday in Joanna Chase's church bulletin: Come to a "faith forum" and join a conversation about the intersection of religion and politics.

Living in New Hampshire, Chase is accustomed to pitches from presidential hopefuls, especially those focusing on values-voting Republicans. But this one came from the team of a Democrat, Sen. Barack Obama.

The candidate himself wasn't on the bill. But about 50 people showed up to talk about the war, poverty and trying to seize back the moral mantle some in the GOP claim. The night also featured an Obama video and a campaign altar call — an invitation to become a "congregation contact" and rally support for the candidate.