Dems give Jim Wallis response slot

Democrats tap religious leader for radio talk: "Democrats turned to an evangelical Christian to give their weekly radio address on Saturday, citing a desire to avoid partisanship after last month's elections that gave them control of Congress.

'I want to be clear that I am not speaking for the Democratic Party, but as a person of faith who feels the hunger in America for a new vision of our life together, and sees the opportunity to apply our best moral values to the urgent problems we face,' the Rev. Jim Wallis said in his remarks.

Wallis, author of 2005's 'God's Politics: Why the Right Gets it Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It,' highlighted issues that he said required a new direction, including U.S. policy in
Iraq. He also called for new efforts to combat poverty and protect the environment.

'We need serious solutions, not the scapegoating of others,' Wallis said. 'The path of partisan division is well worn, but the road of compassionate priorities and social justice will lead us to a new America.'"