Reply #17: For one thing, he's reaching out to the faith community.

[calteacherguy]

Faith and progresive ideals have become exclusionary as a result of the historical culture wars. He's not excluding people, whether they are religious or not. He wants to promote progressive values in red states and blue states, everywhere. It goes back to his community service work in Chicago and the historical roots of his church, the Black church.

The McClurkin controversy has been a speedbump in this process, but the goal is to energize the liberal elements of communities of faith, whether they be Christian, Buddist, Muslim, or whatever. He really is seeking to change hearts and minds through a tranformation of how we see ourselves as Americans.

And, in an international context I have no doubt Obama would be quicker to talk with our adversaries before going to war. Engaging with those he disagrees is his modus operandi...domestically and internationally.

In foreign policy, he's not hung up on the conventional thinking of the past. His stance on opening up Cuba is a good example. He has vision and he's willing to take political risks for his vision.