SOUTH BEND, Ind., Oct. 24 鈥� Democratic vice presidential nominee Joseph I. Lieberman pledged today to usher in a new moral awakening in America with Al Gore by using the presidential pulpit, not federal law, to infuse religion into public life and purge the 鈥減ollution of our culture.鈥漰. In a speech at the University of 91吃瓜 , shown nationally on cable television, Lieberman sought to reaffirm religion鈥檚 role in government policy and restore the Democratic Party鈥檚 voice on values in a 鈥渢oxic鈥� entertainment and media environment. Quoting from the Koran, the Torah and the New Testament, Lieberman tackled a subject polls show to be near the top of voters鈥� minds, saying the nation has 鈥渓ost its moral bearings鈥� amid unprecedented prosperity.p. 鈥淰ice President Gore and I want to bring truth to power鈥攖he truth of faith and the power of values that flow from it,鈥� Lieberman said. 鈥淲e share a commitment to using our office and our influence to support and encourage this new burst of moral and cultural renewal.鈥� But at the same time, Lieberman said, 鈥淕overnment ultimately can only go so far to solve our moral problems.鈥漰. In his 45-minute address, Lieberman, the first Jew nominated by a major party to national office, returned without apology to a subject that he has made his own this fall, one that Democrats hope will separate their ticket from President Clinton鈥檚 personal conduct in office. He also sought, an aide said, to fuse the details of the Gore-Lieberman platform two weeks before Election Day into a big portrait, using the language of faith to reach undecided voters.p. 鈥淎fter all, balancing the budget embraces and embodies the values of responsibility and discipline,鈥� Lieberman said, and Democratic health and education plans protect 鈥渙ur children, the most precious of God鈥檚 creations.鈥漰. Lieberman repeated his sentiment expressed often on the campaign trail that strengthening Medicare and Social Security will 鈥渉onor our fathers and mothers,鈥� while protecting the environment 鈥渋s a way to protect and guard God鈥檚 work.鈥漰. 鈥淭his is a conversation that we as a nation need to have,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e can draw this constitutional, political and spiritual line in a way that includes the best forces of faith in our public life without excluding those who do not share our beliefs.鈥漰. Lieberman acknowledged criticism from the Anti-Defamation League and some members of his own party who said he has blurred that line, such as when in August he called on Americans to 鈥渞enew the dedication of our nation and ourselves to God.鈥漰. 鈥淭here are many nonreligious people, nonobservant people who are good people and plenty of religious people who are not,鈥� he said. He praised 鈥渁n American civic religion鈥攄eistic, principled, purposeful, moral, public and not least of all inclusive.鈥漰. There was one moment of discord. As the Connecticut senator spoke to about 570 students and faculty members, one student shouted, 鈥淲hat about abortion?鈥� encapsulating complaints by conservative critics that Lieberman鈥檚 rhetoric has not been matched by Democrats鈥� platform this fall. He answered calmly that the student had made his point and asked for and received the same courtesy.p. At other times, Lieberman鈥檚 sentiments echoed those of Christian leaders on the right, such as when he lamented that critics who disagree that religion belongs in public discourse 鈥渟eem to have forgotten that the Constitution promises freedom of religion, not freedom from religion.鈥漰. Lieberman repeated his view that Washington and Adams linked the founding of the nation to religious principles, praising 鈥淛udeo-Christian values, and therefore, the best of American values.鈥漰.
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