Obama's 10 Most Important Faith Leaders
A confidant of George W. Bush, evangelical megapastor Rick Warren has forged a surprisingly close relationship with President Obama based on Warren's desire to shed his partisan image and on Obama's strong overtures to white evangelicals, a solidly Republican voting bloc. Obama made repeated appearances at Warren's Saddleback Church before the last election. And he sparked outcry among gay rights activists and his liberal base by inviting Warren to give the benediction at his inauguration. The president's refusal to rescind the invitation and Warren's refusal to back out showed the strength of their friendship. "Rick Warren’s relationship with President Obama is personal, similar to Billy Graham’s with other presidents in that it started well before he got into national office," says Warren spokesman A. Larry Ross, who reports that the president and the preacher continue to talk.
In an administration that keeps in touch with hundreds of faith leaders, who do you think are the most important?