Jennifer Butler

"Far more useful would be specific questions about how their faith would impact their policy positions." Others, however, say voters have the right to ask questions that will tell them whether a candidate shares their values or worldview, religious or otherwise. In defense of the event, the Rev. Jennifer Butler of Faith in Public Life, the group that sponsored the forum, said it was held "so people of diverse faiths could ask the candidates about moral issues that cut across ideological divides.... The voters care more about the common good than the culture wars."

Read more: '08 race has got religion. Is that good? csmonitor.com | In this article: John McCain, Holy Spirit, Mormon, University of Washington in Seattle, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, and Barack Obama

"It has helped so many people," Butler said, referring to the two-year stimulus. "People need the job right now. Hopefully my husband and I can buy a house and save, save, save."

Read more: Federal stimulus averted 2,800 teacher layoffs in Tampa Bay schools | In this article: Tampa Bay and Arne Duncan

"We don't want to create a culture war. We want to dismantle it. We want to put faith, and not politics, first," said the Rev. Jennifer Butler, executive director of Faith in Public Life. In a guide for leaders and members of participating congregations, the coalition uses biblical teachings to make the case that the nation's health-care system is in urgent need of repair. "The Bible does not outline specific public policies around the provision of health care, but it does make clear that protecting the health of each human being is a profoundly important personal and communal responsibility for people of faith," says the brochure, "A Guide to the Health Care Reform Debate."

Read more: Faith and Community Groups Organize to Promote Health-Care Reform | In this article: Sojourners, Michael Bennet, Tony Perkins, God, and Kay Hagan

"Down in the paddock you could've heard a pin drop," said race patron Jennifer Butler of Tampa, Fla., who called it a "heartwarming and emotional" tribute.

Read more: Recession a backdrop to usual Kentucky Derby glitz | In this article: Recession, Churchill Downs, and Shelbyville, Ky.

"The kids are so jazzed, and the parents are thrilled. "We have a very diverse population and so the fact that it is a black president makes it even more exciting." Eighth grader Jennifer Butler, who is on the color guard team, said she feels like the band earned the spot after "practicing really hard, really early in the morning. "It is completely amazing,"

Read more: San Francisco band to make history at inaugural | In this article: San Francisco, Barack Obama, Lesbian and Gay Band Association, Dianne Feinstein, and Nancy Pelosi