Contact: Christian Defense Coalition, 540-538-4741

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 /Standard Newswire/ -- Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition, releases the following statement and is available for comment:

Senator Obama cannot portray himself as a candidate of faith, change and social justice while allowing his family to live in poverty as he enjoys a prosperous and wealthy lifestyle.

The question must be asked, if Senator Obama does not apply faith, mercy, compassion and justice principles to his own immediate family, how can one expect him to apply them to the country if he becomes President?

Sadly, the image of Senator Obama being a candidate of faith committed to Matthew 25 and brining hope to the neediest and broken in our society has now been revealed as a mirage and fraud.

Over the past several months of the Presidential campaign, Senator Obama has attempted to portray himself as a candidate of change, compassion, justice and hope.  He has been very candid about putting his Christian faith on display saying it would play a major role in influencing his public policy decisions.  He has especially stressed this with young emerging evangelical voters.

Yet as the months have rolled by, the facts have shown that Senator Obama is not committed to these faith principles of compassion, mercy and justice in his own personal lifestyle.  This reality has been especially driven home with recent revelations about the struggles of his own immediate family.  While Senator Obama has made millions of dollars over the past several years, his aunt and brother live in poverty while he has done nothing to help them.

One wonders what kind of person can talk about hope and compassion, yet offer no hope and compassion to their own family.  How it is Senator Obama talks about helping "America's families" yet offers no help to his own family? 

Sadly, Barack Obama is now being exposed for what he is.  That is, another typical hypocritical political who will say anything to get elected but does not "practice what he preaches."  Is this really a candidate of change?

The record is clear on Senator Obama's lack of integrity to personally reach out to the poor and needy.  His public tax returns indicate for years he gave less than 1% of his income to charitable causes.  Even after making millions of dollars, the public record shows his giving to the needy is anemic.  He has raised hundreds of millions of dollars for his campaign, stays in expensive luxury hotels and eats extravagant meals while his brother and aunt live in poverty.

After the tragedy of Hurricane Ike and Gustav, Senator Obama has not once personally visited the victims to offer hope and support.  While thousands of people had their homes and lives destroyed, Senator Obama held a 28 million dollar fundraiser in Beverly Hills and never traveled to the Gulf Coast of Texas.

While millions are struggling with challenging and difficult financial times, Senator Obama is spending obscene amounts of money on television ads and campaign commercials.  He also spent millions of dollars on his acceptance speech in Denver and in preparation for his victory party in Chicago.

As a Christian, it is essential that our personal lifestyle match our public rhetoric.  This clearly is not the case with Senator Obama. I encourage young faith voters not to be deceived by the public image of Senator Obama being a candidate that embraces social justice and compassion for the poor.

On the eve of our national Presidential elections, see Senator Obama for what he really is; a rich politician who will say anything to get elected who refuses to reach out to the poor, broken and needy -- even if they are his own family.

For more information or interviews call: Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney at 540.538.4741