Jenna Bush Wed By Obama Backer Kirbyjon Caldwell

The New York Times notes:

On Saturday afternoon, the Hager family hosted wedding guests at a barbecue in Salado. The wedding, which began at 7:30 p.m., took place on the Bush ranch, before a white limestone altar erected next to a man-made lake. The Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell of Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Houston officiated at the ceremony. Mr. Caldwell, a longtime religious adviser to Mr. Bush, has endorsed Senator Barack Obama.

Here's the AP write-up of Caldwell's endorsement:

Houston minister Kirbyjon Caldwell endorses Obama

HOUSTON - An influential Houston minister who has long been a spiritual adviser to President George W. Bush says he will endorse Barack Obama's bid for the presidency.

The Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell, senior pastor of Windsor Village United Methodist Church, said Saturday that he's backing the Illinois senator because of Obama's "character, confidence and courage."

Obama, a Democrat, is electable and "would do a wonderful job to bring people together to pursue a common vision we all have," said Caldwell, who said his support is personal and not connected to his role as pastor of the 14,000-member church.

However, Caldwell told his congregation that Obama may pay a visit to his church.

Caldwell, whose relationship with the president began when Bush was governor of Texas, introduced Bush at the 2000 Republican National Convention and gave the benediction at both of his inaugurations.

Caldwell said he called Bush to inform him of his decision to support Obama and that the president was "OK" with it, adding that the minister's presidential choice would not affect their relationship.

Comments

[AtlGuyNextDoor]

Even I have to admit, Jenna looks great....

[Kache]

Kirbyjon Caldwell's interview with beliefnet is really worth reading! We're going to be seeing a LOT of this guy during the GE. He's ready to become the counter-balance to Rev Wright. His reasons for supporting Obama are a good read.

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/232/story_23282_1.html

IslandGyal, you should read the interview. Kirbyjon doesn't mince words with Bush, and opposed the war in Iraq. Bush might be afraid to talk to our enemies, but that's no reason why a man of the cloth should be afraid to talk to the President.

[JenJanea]

Uh...I don't think this or any other prominent Black pastor in the nation would be an effective counter-balance to Rev. Wright if the goal is to assuage white people.

[BobHanssen]

I'm going to assume that Jennna had at least a say in choosing Reverend Caldwell. And didn't Jenna refuse to endorse McCain when asked if she was by Larry King two weeks ago. Ergo, Jenna is also for Obama. Go Jenna!

[speedy2009]

This shows that people can disagree on important issues and still be friends!

[springsm]

It was Jenna's wedding, Jenna's choice and it was a good one. Laura B. is a methodist.­.bush is just bush...Goo­d for her. Good for Kirbyjon. It was a wedding not a political event. I wish the couple a happy life with small problems. The fact that they wanted an outside less formal wedding gives Jenna points in my book. I don't know about Henry Chase....h­e is so steeped in his father's political views ..that one thinks Jenna will come around and vote for a republican (re: her statement the other day that she might not) Sounds like a nice event...go­od for them.. But this cross thing on the property sorta gives me chills.

[NoMercy]

Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.

As a stranger to the man and a detester of almost everything he stands for and has done, I wouldn't go within earshot of Bush, but if I had been his friend before the Presidency, it would be hypocritical to pretend not to be when his flaws got magnified by the Presidency.

So, like my namesake Rev. Caldwell, I'd have to keep up appearances and keep smiling, knowing that deep down in that chimp-like grin is a chimp-like simplicity of soul that I once knew and loved before he covered himself in ignominy.

[longislandlol]

God Bless the Reverend..

[Texas4Obama]

.
Welcome aboard the Obama train Rev. Caldwell :)
ALL ABOARD everyone - the train is about to leave the station heading for the White House!

Obama/Sebelius '08

[4wehttam]

Choo Choo......­..........­..........­..ALL ABOARD!!!

[john85msy]

Choo Choo......­..........­..........­rolling over all of the (R)Republicans in the path. No! Obama would not allow that because he kills with kindness.

[Waitaminute]

My choice for VP also, Obama/Sebelius

[hbw3]

I'm aboard!

Barack Obama / Kathleen Sebelius '08 - The REAL Dream Ticket

[Colmore]

Why should Georgie care, he is off to Paraguay at the first opportunity. Lots of ill gotten gains to spend, no extradition treaty to worry bout. The US will be the last thing on his tiny little mind.

[UnionJok]

It's surprising there wasn't much discussion on this site about the fact that Fernando Lugo, a leftist, won the Presidential election last month in Paraguay. Maybe its status as a haven for war criminals will become a thing of the past sooner than anyone imagined.

[jelly450]

You can call Bush a lot of things but racist is not among them and I have always been proved of him for that quality.

[harriscrl3]

Unforutnately his problem may be worse he is Incompetent. He has more AA in his administration than Bill Clinton shocking I know.

Carol

[Waitaminute]

YEAH, but what kind of African Americans. Missy condi. the i can't say no rice.

[robXdion]

Even slavemasters had black "employees". This proves nothing. The real test comes when a black person is competes for their job, like we're seeing with Hillary now. People said they weren't racist too.

[UNR]

+1

[jupitor]

I agree with you! The Bush's are not racist. there longest running friend Condlezza Rice and this pastor and many others are on first name basis, and has been for years. I don't see either of them seeing race at all. they are exceptional in this area! I to welcome the Rev. Caldwell, as we should be willing to do promply with any onke who wants to support obama. Obama supporters must not allienate others with our talk! So welcome Rev. and bring some more with you, we hope!

[Triciann]

Well put. Barack Obama sets a good example that has worked. Supporters should try to follow. It's too easy to hit out with nasty comments but it doesn't solve anything. We need to bring people together.

[springsm]

Actually I think you are right Jelly...fo­r whatever reason. His parents tho..being Yankees and not loose texans..mi­ght be abit racist. Or at least socio economically snobbish. REmember Babs and her comments after Katrina? I do have to give him a pass on racism..be­cause I don't think that is one of bush's major problems. And good for him, them.

[txbyrd]

One of the VERY few positive things I have to say about Bush is that he has diversified his cabinet (gender, race) to an impressive level.... and never crowed about it.
Nice to be able to post a thumbs up to the Prez on this one.

[IslandGyal]

As a man of god, he should be ashamed to be associated with the Liar-in-Chief bushie.

[jupitor]

Bush made a lot of mistakes, but they are people of God and you or no one has a right to put that under! We will be glad when he is gone. But no need to bring God into this!

[ColoradoAngryRU]

If Bush is an example of a person of God, I for one would want nothing to do with him. His religiosity have given religion a bad mark. God definitely has some work to do there.

[kasinca]

Where does the Bible command starting wars and taking from the needy to give to the ultra-rich? Saying you are of God but acting against God's commands does not reconcile.

[popecorvo]

They are people of God?

And which people are not "people of God"?

[comingawakening]

Mistakes are when you make a decision based on intellectual honesty - even if you were wong. If you read the Downing Street memos between Bush and Blair, these were not mistakes. It was calculated decisions to get into Iraq for oil. This is not opinion. I voted for Bush in 2000 but he lied to all of us and he doesn't care one bit. He sees himself as a dictator and we let it happen.

If you don't believe me, goole "downing street memos" and read them for your self.

Republicans will never get my vote again - they put party above country and lied to us for political gain. The only thing I don't wish the Bush's is death or illness - everything else, is fair game. I know 4000 American families feel the same way.

[BurtR]

this is a secular country! youare right to say no need to bring god into this. the tree shall be known by its fruits.

[springsm]

Oh no ..come on. Sometimes the most sinful of all us sinners...­needs the pastors the most.

[Jason357]

The Bible says it easy to treat you best buddy well, but the true test is dealing well with sinners.

[MsLiz]

I guess you would condemn Jesus Christ too. He hung out with unsavory people.