Reid establishes faith site

Wednesday, July 20, 2005 | 9:38 a.m.

SUN WASHINGTON BUREAU

WASHINGTON -- Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has launched a "faith Web site:" http://democrats.senate.gov/faith.html.

Reid said the Web site was designed to clearly illustrate how Democrats and people of faith can work together to serve the needy.

Republican leaders shrugged off Reid's effort as a doomed attempt to paint Democrats as the party of the faithful.

"Folks will support the candidates and the parties that reflect their beliefs," Republican National Committee spokesman Danny Diaz said. "There is one party is that is creating jobs, that is achieving accountability in the classroom, that is making sure that Americans enjoy retirement security in the future. And that's that Republican Party."

Reid said he had made reaching out to the "faith community" a top priority as Democratic leader. Democratic leaders have discussed in depth the role of faith in politics, especially since the 2004 elections when conservative faith-based groups took much credit for the success of Republican candidates.

Reid said he has spoken to a number of religious leaders from different faiths about political issues, such as budget cuts for the needy being immoral.

"My discussions have only reinforced the belief that the Democratic Party and people of all faiths share many values and goals, and I intend to continue my outreach in the months ahead," Reid said.

Reid plans a faith symposium with religious leaders on Aug. 24 in North Las Vegas to discuss how better to address the needs of the underserved, such as the homeless and low-income families. The all-day meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. at Nevada Partners, 710 West Lake Mead Blvd.