Palin’s pastor urges flock to pray for the media

Palin’s pastor urges flock to pray for the media

WASILLA, Alaska — A little sermon about — and for — the messenger seemed to Pastor Larry Kroon of the Wasilla Bible Church an appropriate message Sunday morning.

The nondenominational congregation where Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin and her family worship was carrying on services as usual this Sunday, but with a few extra guests.

Palin’s hometown of 9,000 has been inundated with journalists from around the world.

He urged churchgoers to “pray for the press.” Kroon said the media are to be “cherished and respected,” citing 19th century philosopher Alexander de Tocqueville’s works describing a free press and freedom of religion as essential pillars of democracy.

3 candidates interviewed; Palin’s turn is coming

WASHINGTON — Three of the politicians seeking the nation’s highest offices appeared in lengthy broadcast interviews Sunday, but the hottest topic for all of them was the missing fourth candidate — Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin.

Palin, the Alaska governor whom Sen. John McCain selected as his running mate more than a week ago, has yet to make an unscripted public appearance.

Campaign aides confirmed later Sunday that she would give her first media interview this week, to Charles Gibson of ABC News.

Obama admits flippancy to abortion question

WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama acknowledged Sunday that he was probably too flip when he said it was “above my pay grade” to answer a question about when is a baby entitled to human rights.

Obama gave his answer last month at a nationally televised religious forum sponsored by minister Rick Warren at his megachurch in Orange County, Calif.

Asked Sunday whether the “above my pay grade” answer was too flip, Obama said: “Probably. ... What I intended to say is that, as a Christian, I have a lot of humility about understanding when does the soul enter into ... It’s a pretty tough question.

“And so, all I meant to communicate was that I don’t presume to be able to answer these kinds of theological questions,” he said in an interview broadcast Sunday on ABC’s “This Week.”

Combined dispatches