Obama is AGAINST gay marriage. Why is it a shock to anyone that he invited a preacher who is also against gay marriage to provide the opening prayer at his Inauguration?
People who are outraged and shocked that Obama invited a Christian preacher who is against gay marriage to lead the opening prayer have not been paying attention to Obama's position on gay marriage.
Although Obama has said that he supports civil unions, he is against gay marriage. In an interview with the Chicago Daily Tribune, Obama said, "I'm a Christian. And so, although I try not to have my religious beliefs dominate or determine my political views on this issue, I do believe that tradition, and my religious beliefs say that marriage is something sanctified between a man and a woman."
Obama invited Warren because they are both Christians who oppose gay marriage. Here in California, the "Yes" on Prop. 8 side had robocalls of Obama saying, as he always has, that he was against gay marriage. That's one reason Prop. 8 passed.
I'm disappointed, but not surprised that Obama inviting Warren. But, as they both agreed on gay marriage, those who are shocked were ignorant about Obama's actual position on the issue. Now they know.