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President appoints 24-year-old man for 'faith outreach'
By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
May 16th, 2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)
May 16th, 2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)
As if in response to Christian leaders who say the current White House
is slow to address "faith issues," President Obama has selected a 23 -
soon to 24-year-old man as their "faith outreach manager." The new
religious outreach director, Michael Wear graduated from George
Washington University with a B.A. in political science last year.
Wear will also move to Chicago to fulfill his duties. Wear's official title in the campaign will apparently be "Faith Vote Director."
Wear was raised as a Catholic but now attends a nondenominational, evangelical-style church in Washington. Wear has spearheaded White House outreach to evangelicals and has focused on policy issues like adoption throughout Obama's first term.
Wear is married and grew up in Buffalo, New York. The young evangelical worships at the National Community Church in Washington, D.C.
Before taking his new role, Wear was an assistant in the White House office responsible for working with faith-based social service groups. His appointment this week will appease some religious progressives who have charged that faith concerns have not been a big enough priority for Obama's re-election team.
Some are questioning whether faith outreach is truly a priority for the Obama camp. Wear's age, while it may serve as beneficial in terms of fresh perspective and better relations with younger people of faith, comes with a potential price, such as his lack of contacts in the religious sphere.
"Michael has spent a number of years in the faith-based office so he knows the territory" political author Amy Sullivan told Religion News Service. "But the Republicans would put somebody senior with years and years of experience and a big Rolodex in that position. And I guess that tells you something about how Democrats still view faith outreach and its importance."
Wear's appointment comes at a difficult time for the president. Obama's announcement proclaiming his support for same-sex marriage last week will impact his electoral prospects. Obama is being pushed back from many African American faith leaders who previously supported him. The White House is denying that the timing of the announcement and Wear's hiring are related.
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