Presumptive Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois wants faith-based organizations to get more involved in federal programs, including after-school programs, according to this New York Times story.

The story goes on to describe how Obama (and GOP rival Sen. John McCain of Arizona) are courting religious voters.

But it doesn’t mention one key education demographic: religious homeschoolers, a well-organized and influential group of folks (as anyone who followed the come-from-behind win by Gov. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas in the Iowa Republican caucuses can attest). I wonder what (if anything) McCain can do to get them excited about his candidacy.

And it doesn’t talk about a potential backlash against Obama by groups interested in the separation of church and state. Is that because there isn’t one? Or is it that some groups uncomfortable with Obama’s plan to invest federal money in faith-based organizations just haven’t spoken up yet?