Obama Is Punking Rick Warren
Conventional wisdom is that Obama made a mistake by allowing fascistic right wing bigot, homophobe, Christofascist, anti-Semite Rick Warren, a lying hateful man who represents Satan far more than Jesus, to have such a prominent role at the inauguration and to provide him with this stage. From a moral standpoint, it's a mistake. From a political and policy standpoint, it's Obama who is punking Rick Warren.
Warren is Obama's cover and camouflage to pass through social legislation that the religious right despises. When he signs stem cell research into law this year, Obama can point out how he respectfully disagrees with his "friend" Rick Warren. When Obama gets accused of catering to "non-believers," Obama can point out how he invited Rick Warren to give the invocation, not the ACLU. When Obama signs legislation that restores freedom to all people regardless of religion, he can point to his tolerance by using the aforementioned Rick Warren talking point. The Rick Warren talking point serves as the visual image to most forthcoming criticism of Obama by religious conservatives on the social issues. The howls and screams of the Far Right will look stupid with the image of Obama and Warren together multiple times.
Obama can and will throw Rick Warren a couple of bones. Warren talks about poverty and AIDS so Obama can even pretend to work wth Rick Warren on these issues even though the legislation will pass without Warren. Obama will even cite a program or two of Warren's as an example of good work just to butter him up. Warren's a fool and he doesn't know he's getting played.
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. That's exactly what Obama is doing to Rick Warren. You do not want to play poker with Obama. Rick Warren is all in and Obama's got the nuts.
Warren is Obama's cover and camouflage to pass through social legislation that the religious right despises. When he signs stem cell research into law this year, Obama can point out how he respectfully disagrees with his "friend" Rick Warren. When Obama gets accused of catering to "non-believers," Obama can point out how he invited Rick Warren to give the invocation, not the ACLU. When Obama signs legislation that restores freedom to all people regardless of religion, he can point to his tolerance by using the aforementioned Rick Warren talking point. The Rick Warren talking point serves as the visual image to most forthcoming criticism of Obama by religious conservatives on the social issues. The howls and screams of the Far Right will look stupid with the image of Obama and Warren together multiple times.
Obama can and will throw Rick Warren a couple of bones. Warren talks about poverty and AIDS so Obama can even pretend to work wth Rick Warren on these issues even though the legislation will pass without Warren. Obama will even cite a program or two of Warren's as an example of good work just to butter him up. Warren's a fool and he doesn't know he's getting played.
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. That's exactly what Obama is doing to Rick Warren. You do not want to play poker with Obama. Rick Warren is all in and Obama's got the nuts.
Very nice analysis. Even if Obama didn't plan this he knows now he can do it. And if he doesn't know yet, someone reading this will keep it going until he does.
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Thanks Abbey:
Whether intended or not, this will be the practical effect.
Obama, Axelrod, and his people are the smartest politicians I've ever encountered. (The Deaver, Rollins crew of Reagan's begrudgingly were almost as good) I appreciate good strategists.
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