Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Obama and National Prayer Day

Obama wanted the press to document his lunch at Ray's Hell Burger yesterday. He wanted the public to see him being a "regular guy."

Apparently, that photo op was considered beneficial to Obama's image.

An event drawing attention to National Prayer Day is not something Obama wants documented for public consumption.

Considering the guy is addicted to appearing before the public and seizing prime time TV hours, I think it's odd that he would pass on a Prayer Day event.

Julia Duin, Washington Times, writes:

President Obama is distancing himself from the National Day of Prayer by nixing a formal early morning service and not attending a large Catholic prayer breakfast the next morning.

All Mr. Obama will do for the National Day of Prayer, which is Thursday, is sign a proclamation honoring the day, which originated in 1952 when Congress set aside the first Thursday in May for the observance.

For the past eight years, President George W. Bush invited selected Christian and Jewish leaders to the White House East Room, where he typically would give a short speech and several leaders offered prayers.

Obama White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Tuesday that the president is simply reverting back to pre-Bush administration practice.

I guess the devout Christian Obama prefers to reach out to consumers of burgers rather than people of faith.

I would think Obama would want to use the opportunity to bring together people of various faiths and highlight tolerance for others' beliefs.

That would seem to fit the carefully constructed image of Obama as a uniter and healer.

Oh, well. At least he's signing the proclamation for National Prayer Day.

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Read about Obama's position on the Freedom From Religion Foundation's lawsuit against the National Day of Prayer.

7 comments:

Jill said...

I am sure that you, like myself, were not at all surprised to hear that he is basically "taking a pass" on the National Day of Prayer. He definitely seems to be a "man of faith" only when it is politically expedient. As a die hard conservative, I had my issues with MANY of Pres. Bush's policies, but I will say that I never doubted his sincerity when he spoke of his faith and I miss having a president who was comfortable speaking the name of Jesus :(

Unknown said...

jake1017Jill said it so well. I know most Americans agree with her. I believe that those who don't want to pray should not have too. I want the same freedom to pray. This Country was founded on God and at a time when this Country needs so much help, we should not be disregarding prayer. For those who do not believe, let them do nothing.

Lori

Anonymous said...

It's uncool for a left-wing radical to attend such an event. Now that he is President he can forget all of the religious mumbo-jumbo that he spouted on the campaign trail.

My guess is that the year of his reelection bid he'll attend the prayer breakfast and all of his followers will look the other way because they understand how Obama must fool more than half of the voters in the USA to get elected.

Anonymous said...

I thought obama has gone to the same church (jeremiah wrights america hating church)? And no prayer day? He says he will recognize it privately im sure he will at 3:00 head down A__ up! Hes just proving what we already know! Jeremiahs church was a campaign cover up not a good one. I wonder if he has 666 on the back of his neck? The end is near and is happening as he said. Obama I hope you are ready for him?

Anonymous said...

It is disappointing to know the President of the US passed on Prayer Day.
It puts some light on him and spouse.
I often wondered how reborn again Christians could be so flamboyant.

Anonymous said...

OH well...and who put him in office? He is now showing his real colors, character!!?? All those who voted for him are soon to reap what they have sown. We will lose our freedom next and become a third world country...maybe sooner than we think. God help us all. Just wait until his term is over and he becomes (God forbid) president the next four years. He will ruin what is left of America. Millions of us tried valiantly to keep him from winning but alas! to no avail!!!!

Unknown said...

THE ONLY REASON HE WON IN THE FIRST PLACE IS BECAUSE THE DUMAZZ REPUBLICANS WENT AND VOTED FOR HIM IN THE PRIMARYS, THINKING THAT McCAIN WOULD HAVE A BETTER SHOT WINNING WITH OBAMA THAN HILLARY. BOY DID THEY GET FOOLED. NEXT TIME THE PRIMARYS ROLL AROUND, VOTE FOR YOUR OWN PARTY AND DONT SKIP OVER TO OURS.