The Search for Common Ground

We've been hearing a lot lately about splits within the evangelical community and a greater openness to listen to Democrats talking about the need to "reduce" abortions, even though they do not want to overturn Roe v. Wade. Does this flexibility to hear all sides of the argument mean there's an opening for someone like you to consider a pro-choice presidential candidate?
I don't think you'll see masses of evangelicals moving toward any pro-choice candidates, but in tight elections you don't need masses. It all depends on who the candidates are. If it's Giuliani vs. Clinton, then a significant number of evangelical Republicans may vote Democratic, since their central issue is no longer supported by the Republican candidate. But I do see a general opening—not necessarily a shift—to a broader consideration of more issues than the one or two knee-jerk issues we've been fighting over these past few decades.

Since the Supreme Court ruled to uphold the ban on partial-birth abortion, what's next for the pro-life movement?
That ruling was very encouraging. It was a horrendous procedure, and now we're wondering what are the next steps we can take. If partial-birth abortion is seen as the killing of a valuable life, then what about six months earlier in the pregnancy? I think we're starting to make progress in the definition of what is a viable life and making sure that it's not ended.

How do you view the Democrats' reaching out to evangelicals on values?
This is very smart. We're a religious nation, and to ignore that is not a good strategy. How much of this is political strategy and how much of this is a candidate's chance to talk about what is real in their lives is something we need to evaluate, of course. But looking at Clinton, Obama and Edwards talk about their faith is helping me see them as people, as whole people. Voters want to trust the candidates, and for them to open up on this subject helps that.

You say that you are willing to work with progressive and pro-choice groups to help reduce abortions, but what about issues like gay marriage? Is there really common ground there?
Every person in the eyes of God is worthy of respect. We may come out differently on the gay marriage issue, but it's important for us to stress that gays and lesbians are deserving of respect as human beings just like anyone else. The approach we're working on here is really to defuse the automatic polarization of the issue.

You're endorsing this paper, which talks about common ground between evangelicals and progressives, but what about the nuts-and-bolts question of whether you could approve of gay marriage? Or do you want them to give up the fight for it? I don't see the common ground here.
There is no compromise here on how we feel about gay marriage. I am not endorsing it or compromising on it. The question on this issue—on all the social issues—is really about how much conversation we can have, about how much we can finally just talk with each other, without either side giving up their basic moral tenets.

© 2007