Hopes for the Administration

Economic stability and immigration reform are the top hopes evangelical leaders have for President Obama’s second term, according to a year-end poll of America’s evangelical leaders, who were asked “What realistic achievement do you hope the administration will accomplish in the next four years?”

“Evangelical leaders really want to believe that politicians can come together to resolve our fiscal problems,” said Leith Anderson, President of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE). “It will take political courage from the President and members of Congress to reduce the deficit while protecting our most vulnerable citizens. We pray that they will get it done.”

Evangelical leaders mentioned reforming entitlements, growing the economy, balancing the budget, closing tax loopholes, and reducing spending, among other things, as hopes for the administration. These economic issues were mentioned by 48 percent of the respondents.

A second theme, immigration reform, was mentioned by 32 percent of respondents. This echoes a previous Evangelical Leaders Survey in which immigration was the most mentioned item of agreement between President Obama and evangelical leaders.

Other hoped for achievements include religious freedom, poverty reduction, racial equality, increased civility, peace in the Middle East and improved health care. A few leaders do not expect any positive achievements in the next four years.

The Evangelical Leaders Survey is a monthly poll of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Evangelicals. They include the CEOs of denominations and representatives of a broad array of evangelical organizations including missions, universities, publishers and churches.