Leap of faith

Barack Obama may have a standard Democratic agenda, but he is aggressively courting churches and Christians in his run for the White House. So just what are his “ground rules for collaboration” with conservative Christians? | Jamie Dean

ATLANTA— Moments before Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) bounded onto the stage at a campaign rally in downtown Atlanta late last month, retired minister and civil-rights icon Joe Lowery offered an opening prayer: "Lord, we are here tonight because when we sing 'My Country 'Tis of Thee,' we see too much misery."

The 2,200 supporters gathered in a ballroom at the Georgia World Congress Center responded with chuckles and scattered applause. But the chuckles turned into a resounding "Amen" when Lowery, 82, compared Obama to John the Baptist. Lowery prayed for the success of his presidential run, concluding "in the name of justice."

Obama finally took the stage two hours after the doors opened and delivered a well-worn stump speech with the enthusiasm and cadence of a preacher. The crowd cheered in agreement when the Democratic presidential candidate spoke of being "my brother's keeper."