Best Friends Forever? Obama: "I can't quit you Rick Warren!" Shame on the Saddleback quid pro quo.

"Do we rock, or what, Barack?"

By Pablo Fanque, National Affairs Editor

All This Is That News Service

The abject disgust among the electorate (including my segment) over Next President Obama's choice to deliver the inaugural invocation is a dark cloud hovering over the inauguration "festivities." Reverend Rick Warren, leader of the Saddleback megachurch in Southern California, strongly supported and worked for the state constitutional amendment that bans gay marriage in California.

It is impossible to grok Obama not getting the symbolism of making Warren part of his swearing-in. I didn't even write about this until now because I was sure that, after a decent interval, Obama would come to his senses and uninvite Warren. It is particularly galling after the success of Proposition 8 in California. Didn't Warren and his crowd get what they wanted? How is it Obama gives his blessing to rub salt into the wound using the White House as a platform? I shouldn't be surprised. We know from the debates and other statements that Obama also does not support gay marriage. Why are we shocked when he embraces a theologian who thinks likewise?

"Man, if I'm elected on November 4th, you are going to

be my sky pilot Inauguration Day."

What does the Presidential transition team say about Obama's choice of a reactionary bigot to lead the prayers on His Big Day? Basically: "You press creeps are making a mountain out of a molehill. And besides, we're also going to have a gay marching band."

As foolish as this is, and as insensitively as Obama is behaving toward one of his key constituencies, we all know the reason for Obama's invitation: this is a quid pro quo for Rick Warren standing him in front of his conservative congregation during the Presidential campaign.

"You slay me, dude!"

In return for a little consideration during the campaign, BHO, in turn, sent an arctic blast at gay citizens, despite his oft-repeated promise during the campaign, that gays were a part of his America, too. He left off the last part of that promise: "as long as they don't get uppity."

Obama insiders mention the gay marching band (you've got to be f***ing kidding me), and point out to anyone who asks that the Rev. Joseph E. Lowery, a civil rights veteran and supporter of gay rights will close the inaugural ceremony. By that line of reasoning, we could have a Nazi deliver the invocation as long as we closed it with a Jew. By appointing a minister who has compared same-sex marriage to incest, pedophilia, and polygamy to speak, Obama has sullied this day, which we thought was about inclusion and bringing everyone into the big tent.

"You and I can work together, pal."

The whole shameful episode is inexplicable. It makes you wonder, who will be the next old friend thrown under the bus when it becomes expedient?

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