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Bid to woo conservative Christians

Photo: AP

Vying for religious vote: Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama (left) greets his Republican counterpart John McCain in Lake Forest, California, on Saturday. —

WASHINGTON: U.S. presidential contenders Barack Obama and John McCain, trying to woo conservative Christians during a religious forum on Saturday, differed on abortion, with Mr. McCain saying a baby’s human rights begin “at conception,’ while Mr. Obama restated his support for legalised abortion.

The candidates, appearing on the same stage for the first time in months, though they overlapped only briefly, shared their views on moral, foreign and domestic issues during the event at Saddleback Church, California.

The forum, during which Saddleback’s influential pastor Rick Warren asked each candidate questions for an hour — the two men briefly shook hands and hugged each other during the switch — was an opportunity for each to court an influential voting.

Religious conservatives have largely supported the Republican Party, and many of Mr. McCain’s positions are more in line with conservative Christians, who comprise about one-quarter of the electorate, and who helped push President George W. Bush into office. When asked about abortion, Mr. McCain expressed his anti-abortion stand simply and quickly, saying human rights begin the instant that a human egg is fertilized. Mr. McCain, who adopted a daughter from Bangladesh, also called for making adoption easier.

Mr. Obama, who supports legalised abortion, said he would limit abortions in the late stages of pregnancy if there are exceptions for the mother’s health. He said he knew that people who consider themselves pro-life would find his stance “inadequate.”

He said the government should do more to prevent unwanted pregnancies and to help women who give birth, such as provide needed resources to the poor, as well as better adoption services. On another contentious issue — gay marriage — both contenders said marriage is a union between a man and a woman. Mr. Obama added that he supports civil unions for gay partners, giving them rights such as hospital visits with one another. He said he opposed a ban on gay marriage, calling it a state issue.

The forum offered Mr. Obama a chance to show his comfort talking about his Christian faith. During the forum meet, Mr. McCain tended to give shorter, less complex answers, winning somewhat more applause than Mr. Obama from the audience. — AP

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