The election season moves into high gear this week with the Democratic National Convention in Denver, followed by the Republican gathering in St. Paul.

Another evangelical leader may be ready to support McCain. Kim Lawton joins me now to talk about religion and politics, and what sounds like a major change of heart for James Dobson.

Religion has played an unusually prominent -- and controversial -- role throughout this campaign season, raising the question: What are the appropriate boundaries between religion and politics?

The two presumptive presidential candidates met with religious leaders this week. On Tuesday (June 10), Barack Obama held a closed door meeting with about 40 faith leaders, including megachurch pastor T.D. Jakes and evangelist Franklin Graham.

When Hillary Clinton, a Methodist, discusses her faith, she almost always quotes her favorite passage from the Book of James: "faith without works is dead."

President Bush admits he's not always the most articulate man in Washington. Over the years, he has had a lot of help from a speechwriter named Michael Gerson. Gerson has written a new book, HEROIC CONSERVATISM, which recalls his time at the White House. He urges conservatives to broaden their political agenda. Gerson spoke with Kim Lawton.

Read more of Kim Lawton's October 30, 2007 interview with Michael Gerson, author of HEROIC CONSERVATISM.

The story of a radical change in Minnesota's fifth congressional district in Minneapolis. A seat long-held by a Norwegian-American was taken over in the November 2006 election by an African American Muslim. This story aired prior to Ellison's victory.

Religion continues to be a key factor in American politics, especially during election season. Today, there is vigorous political organizing inside Latino churches. Many Hispanics favor more liberal immigration policies than most Republicans have supported. But as Kim Lawton reports, it's not yet clear how that will affect Hispanic voting.