Faith's Profile In The '08 Race

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Already, faith has played a historic role in this election cycle, affecting the presidential race in ways that were unimaginable when the first candidates declared their intent to run. And since the field has whittled down to two candidates, they've stepped up their already significant focus on outreach to religious voters. This year, more groups than ever seem to be in play, and several new polls paint a complex picture of religion in politics.

Newsweek's latest poll includes several findings of note: McCain leads Obama among both white evangelicals and white Catholics by significant margins. And, a majority of Americans think we live in a Christian nation, like it when leaders express their faith in God, and think religion has the right amount or not enough influence in politics.

While it's heartening that, as Pew reports, religion has been "a relatively prominent topic" in election coverage so far, it has erred toward the superficial, and findings from both Pew and Newsweek expose serious gaps in reporting.

Other noteworthy findings are below the fold. And be on the lookout for FPL's forthcoming comprehensive database of faith and politics polls!

Newsweek reveals that the Democrats' vigorous faith outreach and religion talk has been a partial success: Voters think faith plays a more important role in Obama's life than McCain's (63%-49%). And while the Republican party is still viewed as far friendlier toward religion, Democrats have gained four percentage points since 2005.

Additionally, 70% of voters expressed some general measure of support for faith-based initiatives, a program that Obama has supported far more openly than McCain.

According to Pew, media coverage has been far too episodic, focusing far more on Jeremiah Wright, for example, than more nuanced faith issues or policies. Yet, the American electorate seems to be over it all. Newsweek finds that voters are split on whether Obama shares Wright's views and a 2/3 majority say their relationship makes little difference in how they'll vote.

Similarly, all the talk of which old-guard pastor may or may not be endorsing John McCain means little to voters. 67% said McCain's Religious Right affiliations wouldn't really change their vote (including 71% of Republicans!). So whether it's Right or Wright, voters don't care.

Finally, when 12% of voters believe Sen. Obama is a practicing Muslim and/or used the Qur'an when sworn into the Senate, we can surmise that coverage hasn't been as enlightening as one might hope.

The values and views of faithful Americans are complex and while that might not always translate in the media, overall it's a good thing. With so much up in the air, people of faith have an exciting opportunity to help write the story of this election. They can speak out, show up and let every stakeholder in the election---politician, pundit, even endorsing pastor---know that inclusive, dynamic politics matter, old stereotypes don't.