Religion Press Release Services

For Immediate Release

Contact: Kevin Eckstrom, Editor
Kevin.eckstrom@religionnews.com
(202) 383-7864

WASHINGTON (Oct. 16, 2006) -- Two years after Democrats promised to find ways to bridge the “God gap” with religious voters, Religion News Service (RNS) is naming the Dozen Most Influential Democrats on issues of faith and religion.

The list, culled from dozens of interviews by RNS editors and reporters, highlights the most effective, listened-to and sought-after people – both inside and outside the party – who are shaping Democrats’ approach to religion. The list includes a few familiar faces, but also highlights the people behind the scenes who are shaping how the party thinks and speaks about matters of faith.

“When John Kerry’s handling of religion fell flat with most voters in 2004, the Democrats promised to do better. We wanted to find out what’s happened since then,” said RNS editor Kevin Eckstrom. “We’ll let the pundits decide whether they’ve been successful. We wanted to introduce the people who are influencing the debate.”

The Republicans’ successful connection with religious voters is well-known and documented by reams of polling data. RNS chose to focus on Democrats because their story is still evolving. “In many ways, Republicans wrote the playbook on how to reach religious voters,” Eckstrom said. “Democrats are just now starting to play the game.”

The RNS Dozen Most Influential Democrats list includes:

* The Theologian: Shaun Casey, ethicist, Wesley Theological Seminary
* The House Trinity: Reps. James Clyburn, Rosa DeLauro and David Price
* The Preacher: Leah Daughtry, chief of staff, Democratic National Committee
* The Model: Tim Kaine, governor of Virginia
* The Insider: Mike McCurry, former White House press secretary
* The `Blessed’ One: Barack Obama, senator from Illinois
* The Prophet: Rabbi David Saperstein, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
* The Matchmaker: Burns Strider, House Democrats’ Faith Working Group
* The Agitator: Amy Sullivan, Washington Monthly magazine
* The Strategist: Mara Vanderslice, Common Good Strategies

RNS chose not to include any active political candidates beyond Clyburn, DeLauro and Price.

Two stories, RNS-DEMS-FAITH and RNS-DEMS-DOZEN, will be transmitted to RNS subscribers Tuesday, October 17. Non-RNS subscribers interested in purchasing reprint rights should contact Claudia Sans Werner at 202-383-7870 or csans@religionnews.com.

Photos of all dozen Democrats are available at www.religionnews.com, as well as group shots and an original illustration by Monica Seaberry. For one time only, RNS is offering subscribers all 12 headshots and related photos for the regular price of one photo. For details, contact Tracy Gordon at tracy.gordon@religionnews.com.

Religion News Service is the only secular wire service focused exclusively on religion, ethics, spirituality and moral issues. A large worldwide network of correspondents, stringers and columnists delivers syndicated news and opinion daily to more than 100 major daily newspapers, including The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, The New York Times and USA Today. In addition to such media organizations as Time magazine, Newsweek, National Public Radio and PBS, hundreds of award-winning magazines, broadcasters, religious publications and Web sites subscribe to the service.

RNS also provides a photo service with thousands of current and stock photos and graphics. RNS is part of Newhouse News Service, which is owned by Advance Publications Inc.

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