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An influential evangelical leader recently expressed his dissatisfaction with Republican presidential nominee John McCain, who he accused of “waffling” on issues.

“I thought John McCain was a principled person,” said Richard Cizik, vice president for governmental affairs of the National Association of Evangelicals, to The Colorado Independent.

“But John McCain has backed off, not just on climate change but on torture and a sensible tax policy – in other words, he’s not the John McCain of 2000 … He seems to be waffling on issues after issue,” charged the chief lobbyist of the nation’s largest evangelical network that represents some 30 million members. more >>

A prominent evangelical leader dismissed presidential candidate Barack Obama’s new line of faith-based merchandise as “clever packaging.”

Various campaign buttons targeted at strategic voting constituencies on the Obama campaign’s Web site are the cause for Dr. Albert Mohler’s remark.

Among the buttons is one that reads “Obama Pride” underneath the campaign logo that has been modified to feature a rainbow, a sign associated with the gay community. more >>

DENVER (AP) - Under fire from U.S. Catholic bishops, Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is not backing off contentious comments about abortion she made during a weekend television talk show appearance.

Pelosi said last Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press" that "doctors of the church" have not been able to define when life begins. That prompted swift rebukes from Washington Archbishop Donald Wuerl and Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput, who said Pelosi was incorrect and that Catholic teaching has consistently condemned abortion.

Cardinal Edward Egan of New York voiced similar sentiment last Tuesday. Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Bishop William Lori, chairman of the bishops' Committee on Doctrine, also issued a statement correcting Pelosi. more >>

DENVER (AP) - When Joe Biden underwent brain surgery for a life-threatening aneurysm in 1988, he asked doctors whether he could tuck his rosary beads under his pillow. The six-term Democratic senator from Delaware also has offered to shove his rosary down the throat of the next Republican who tells him he isn't religious.

Barack Obama's running mate is the son of working-class Irish Catholics, a career politician educated at a Catholic prep school who briefly considered the priesthood.

He has turned to his faith to weather personal tragedy — including the deaths of his wife and young daughter in a 1972 traffic accident — and shape his political worldview. Biden attends Mass weekly and didn't miss it on Sunday, either, attending services and taking Communion at St. Joseph on the Brandywine near his home in Greenville, Del. more >>

Sen. Barack Obama accepted the Democratic presidential nomination Thursday night with a speech many described not as inspirational, but as workmanlike and practical.

The presidential candidate clearly appealed to his party and to those who have already thrown their support behind the Illinois senator as he spelled out what “change” would look like, particularly for the average working-class American, and challenged Republican John McCain’s judgment.

Many have praised Obama’s speech, saying it left out flowery and poetic language and got his points across about what he will do for America and its people. more >>

DENVER (AP) — Religious leaders and people of faith who've been invited to the table at this week's Democratic National Convention are not sitting quietly with their hands in their laps.

The head of a large African-American denomination challenged the party on abortion. An Orthodox Jewish rabbi raised his voice about school choice. A thirty-something evangelical Christian author warned against Democrats who mock believers.

Although well aware that party officials have political reasons for reaching out to them, several faith figures taking part in convention events say they want to go beyond talk about how faith and values inform longstanding Democratic policies. They are also calling for change on core Democratic issues, which could create tension. more >>