I know the issues that the left has with Warren - Glenn highlights them well - but the fact is that Warren is not even close to the "most extremist". Feel free to disagree with Obama's working with him - but hyperbole such as this does nothing to convince people that you may have some valid points.

Billy Graham was the Presidential Preacherman for decades and decades, and he was just as wack as Warren, if not more so.

The problem is not Warren so much as it is the Presidential Custom to have a right wing Preacherman at his elbow.

And the drive for it will come from the left. Of course Biden is really no better so he'll have to be handled too. Perhaps it's time for a revolutionary 'people's committee' a-la Cuba.

Is it really necessary to have every event "blessed"? And by a such a divisive speaker, no less. Warren has no real idea of the inclusive teachings of Christ. His brand of religion is poisonous and no longer necessary in a world full of change.

Obama, you are smarter than this. (Or so I thought.)

Warren *not* one of the "most extremist"

He equates gay relationships with child rape; abortion and the Holocaust; and favors slaughtering ("taking out") the democratically elected President of Iran.

What else would he have to do to qualify as one of the most extremist?

http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/warren-vs-dobson-difference-tone

they dont have a racist giving the benediction?

It's the Sista Souljah moment for the loud and marginal.
Keep up the good work.

Sadly, those points-of-view are *mainstream* in evangelical circles.

Examples of extremist pastors include (off the top of my head):

* Fred Phelps, Westboro Baptist Church

* Those behind the proposed "Paul Hill Days" celebrating anti-abortion terror

* Mike Bray of the "Army of God"

Those are people who most would agree are "extremist." Unfortunately, there are many more examples.

As repugnant as I find his views on homosexuality, calling Rick Warren "extremist" dilutes the term and alienates those you are trying to convince.

Again, my apologies for being the broken record at this disco, but earlier this month, Mr. Obama "saluted" President Bush as he was awarded the "International Medal of PEACE" by the Rev. Rick Warren, who will be offering the inaugural invocation for Mr. Obama.

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Bush_awarded_International_Medal_of_PEACE_1202.html

See the second video on the Raw Story page for Obama's remarks.

I haven't crossed the threshhold of a masjid or a church in many moons...

Three ringed evangelism is a very curious American entertainment to me.

It always seems to aim to exacerbate an accute case of the uglies, rather than elevate with a common sense of compassion...

If Obama has knowingly chosen a glory seeking charismatic as a "spiritual" center piece for his own inauguration, I can only express my disappointment as a person who was born and raised in the traditions of both Islam and Christianity.

... why liberals are shocked and fuming about Rick Warren. Obama has always been a centrist, like most other successful Democratic politicians in this country. Liberals have convinced themselves that he is on your side (because he is half black?). The reality is that no one who is "progressive," or on the left, can be elected to presidency or even Congress in today's social environment.

You liberals must get down to the grassroot and mold your own representatives, get them elected, and persuade the public to come to your side. You cannot sit there and project your wishful thinking onto the centrist politicians who come into power. Hiding in your little hut listening to Air America will not win support for your causes.

The reality is, you were not the key groups that got Obama elected. Winning Ohio, North Carolina, Michigan, Indiana was what got him elected. If you don't carry enough votes to make or break politicians, you have nothing. You are nothing.

I guess, after having swallowed various sorts of Obama concessions (if that's the right word, I suppose they could even be his convictions) that were less than savory, but in the theoretical cause of getting him elected, I'm really upset about this one. First and foremost, I guess, because it seems utterly gratuitous. It's like arriving at a party where you feel uncomfortable, getting in, and then deciding--as if to answer criticisms that have already been overcome--to slander oneself and one's friends. "Hey, I know I'm not like you, and my loser friends are worse, but you won't regret letting us in!" It's unnecessary and humiliating.

And, of course, likely counterproductive. I still see those silly "Nope" bumper stickers around town--with the Obama 'O' shaped into an Islamic crescent and star--but this ain't gonna change that. It smacks of running when no one accuseth. People won't say: he's alright, he invited Warren. They'll say: he tried to use Warren to throw off the scent, because he knows he's really an outsider. And they'll feel proud of themselves for not being duped, affirmed in their worst prejudices. And Warren will enjoy the spotlight, and then go back to slamming liberals left and right.

This is a cowardly, not a courageous act: from an administration that I thought might have turned the corner on Democratic self-loathing. That's why it bothers me.

Hey I don't like political evangelicals any more than you do, but Rick Warren is NOT the worst among them. Obama will be the leader for all Americans not just Gays. He as made it very clear when running his campaign that he would reach out to even those he disagreed with. Were you listening?

The reality is, you were not the key groups that got Obama elected. Winning Ohio, North Carolina, Michigan, Indiana was what got him elected.

Winning New York and California helped, too. As did the huge amounts of money he raised from East and West Coast liberals and gays. Remove liberal votes from Obama's column and he loses.

If you don't carry enough votes to make or break politicians, you have nothing. You are nothing.

This is a great point. Obama won because of right-wing, anti-gay, anti-abortion, Iran-hating evangelical voters. Everyone knows that. Therefore, it makes sense that this is who he wants to please.