Rick Warren Media Coverage Update
December 18, 2008 by Justin Cole, GLAAD's Director of Digital Media
More media outlets are covering the growing controversy over Present-elect Barack Obama’s decision to select Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at his inauguration. See the commentary and videos below:
December 18, 2008
MSNBC: MSNBC News Live – Rick Warren Controversy
12.18.08 11:27 am – Newsweek’s Jonathan Alter analyzes Obama’s response to a reporter’s question on why he asked Rick Warren to speak at his inauguration. Alter: “What [Obama is] saying to gay rights activists is, ‘Look, the era of interest group politics leading around the Democratic party by the nose is over.’”
MSNBC: MSNBC News Live – President-elect Obama on Rick Warren
12.18.08 11:14 am – President-elect Obama discusses why he invited pastor Rick Warren to speak at his inauguration despite Warren holding views on social issues such as LGBT equality at odds with Obama’s own: “We’re not going to agree on every single issue. But what we have to do is be able to create an atmosphere where we can disagree without being disagreeable [...]”
CNN: American Morning – Inauguration Outrage
12.18.08 06:05 am – CNN reports on the outcry over President-elect Obama inviting pastor Rick Warren to speak at his inauguration. LGBT equality advocates are upset over the choice because of various anti-gay statements Warren has made in the past.
CNN: American Morning – Obama Outrage over Rick Warren
12.18.08 07:04 am – Hilary Rosen on Rick Warren at Obama’s inauguration: “I think Rick Warren loses his moral authority when he, you know, is completely hypocritical about the way he deals with the issue of gays and lesbians and equality.”
December 17, 2008
CNN: Anderson Cooper 360 – Digging Deeper: Inauguration Controversy
12.17.08 11:08 pm – Hilary Rosen, Robert Zimmerman and Roland Martin weigh in on Rick Warren giving the invocation at Obama’s inauguration. Rosen: “This is not a policy difference. This is not even about gay marriage. This is about the way that Pastor Warren has used homosexuality as a weapon [...]”
MSNBC: The Rachel Maddow Show – Lineup Announced for Obama’s Inauguration
12.17.08 09:52 pm – Rachel Maddow and Kent Jones discuss Rick Warren speaking at Obama’s inauguration. Jones sarcastically comments, “Apparently, in his invocation, Dr. Warren will be asking God not only to bless America but also to make it a lot less gay. They couldn’t get someone else? Come on.”
CNN: The Situation Room – Obama’s Choice Questioned
12.17.08 06:39 pm – In reference to the controversy over Rick Warren speaking at Obama’s inauguration, The Weekly Standard’s Stephen Hayes claims that it’s “not unhelpful…”
I was appalled and angered to learn that Mr. Obama has chosen Pastor “Sick” Warren to give the invocation at his inaugural ceremonies. This is a man who breeds hate and divisiveness. And Mr. Obama is willing to give this sick demented bigot credibility on an international forum!!
Mr. Obama states that he wishes to reach out to other viewpoints. Has he considered inviting a White Supremacist to be a speaker?
Mr. Obama has only one option. Un-invite Sick Warren.
Peter Difatta