Obama defends choice of Warren for inauguration

President-elect Obama defended his choice of the Rev. Rick Warren
to deliver the invocation at his inauguration, saying that his swearing-in and the
surrounding festivities will see a “wide range of viewpoints represented.”

The selection of Warren, the popular anti-abortion rights and anti-gay marriage
head of the Saddleback Church, drew intense criticism from gay marriage and
abortion rights advocates Wednesday, but Obama called for the various groups to
focus on areas in which they agree.

{mosads}“It’s important for Americans to come together even though we may
disagree on certain social issues,” Obama said.

The president-elect asserted that he is and will continue to be a
“fierce advocate for equality” for gay and lesbian couples, but he noted that
Warren invited Obama to speak at his church knowing that the two men disagree
on hot-button social issues.

Obama noted that the Rev. Joseph Lowery, the preacher giving the
benediction at his inauguration, holds opposing social views from Warren,
adding that there will be “a wide range of views represented” at his
inauguration.
“And that’s how it should be because that’s what America is all about,” Obama
said.

Kathryn Kolbert, president of People for the American Way, was one
of the first out of the gate Wednesday to criticize Obama’s selection of
Warren.

“I’m sure that Warren’s supporters will portray his selection as
an appeal to unity by a president who is committed to reaching across
traditional divides,” Kolbert said in a statement. “Others may explain it as a
response to Warren inviting then-Sen. Obama to speak on AIDS and candidate
Obama to appear at a forum, both at his church. But the sad truth is that
this decision further elevates someone who has in recent weeks actively
promoted legalized discrimination and denigrated the lives and relationships of
millions of Americans.”