Obama's proposals would also allow religious charities that receive federal funding to consider religion in employment decisions, and that could create some problems for those who support a sharper divide between church and state. The Illinois senator said he was aware of the issues but insisted that his plans would satisfy both ends of the political spectrum.
"Make no mistake, as someone who used to teach constitutional law, I believe deeply in the separation of church and state, but I don't believe this partnership will endanger that idea - so long as we follow a few basic principles," Obama said.
"First, if you get a federal grant, you can't use that grant money to proselytize to the people you help and you can't discriminate against them - or against the people you hire - on the basis of their religion," he said. "Second, federal dollars that go directly to churches, temples and mosques can only be used on secular programs. And we'll also ensure that taxpayer dollars only go to those programs that actually work." Even as Obama courts conservative voters with his high-profile embrace of a signature Bush program, he could invite protests from others.
