However, there are no women and no strongly progressive Christians. I am afraid that these omissions will reinforce Obama's centrist and conformists tendencies. I can see Obama making a strong stand on poverty issues but I can also see a cautious stance on cultural issues like abortion and especially GLBT equality. I am also sad that this will continue to reinforce the popular image that there are no progressive Christians and evangelicals with a social justice bent are the true "religious left."
The absence of progressive Christians does give those of us religious left the chance to use our outsider status to continue to speak truth to and pressure those in power. Without being in the center of power I hope progressive Christians will use their voice to continue to critique the dominant culture even if someone we consider one of us is leading it.
