Rick Warren Gets Tepid Response

Rick Warren Gets Tepid Response
By Liza Porteus Viana
Jan 20th 2009 12:02PM
Filed Under:eDemocrats, Republicans, Barack Obama, Gay Rights, Obama Administration, Inauguration

About, oh, maybe 10 people eventually clapped when Rev. Rick Warren was introduced to give the invocation during Barack Obama's inauguration today. It did seem, however, that he got more claps than former President Bush.

The founder and senior pastor of the Saddleback Church in Orange County, CA, no doubt took the podium with at least a little trepidation, given the outcry over his selection by the gay community. Even though the Warren dustup wasted several days' worth of headlines after Obama announced his selection, it appears now no one cares too much and people just want to revel in the moment.

A new Gallup Poll just out shows that most Americans either approve of Warren giving the invocation or don't even know he was doing so, while just 9 percent disapprove of Warren's role. Even among liberals, support for Obama's choice far outweighs disapproval, 39 percent to 16 percent. Among Democrats, there is 37 percent approval compared to 10 percent disapproval. Approval is obviously higher among Republicans and conservatives.

In fact, Warren just prayed. He wasn't trying to convert anybody or espouse any perceived "anti-gay" message. In fact, as he prayed, you saw people with hands outstretched, crying. They were taken with the moment. It was a testament to Obama's inclusion of people of all views.