June 22, 2009

"Well Obama promised during his campaign that he would create this office. He has made a commitment to carrying out his campaign promises. This was a major campaign promise. He's locked into it now."

Jacqui Salmon is a religion reporter from The Washington Post. In this episode of Faith Complex, she discusses the history of the White House Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Initiatives. She begins with the Office's foundation in President Clinton's anti-poverty efforts, then moves its controversial history under President Bush. Finally, she discusses President Obama's current efforts to expand and diversify the Office.

Faith Complex is hosted by Jacques Berlinerblau, produced by Thomas Banchoff, and presented by the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs and the Program for Jewish Civilization at Georgetown University.