[Edit 1] Brokeback Church… [Edit 2] SADDLEBACK Church Debate Features First Showdown Between “Barry” And “Johnny” Before Fickle Evangelical-Types
That’s right, folks — the countdown has begun for the FIRST dual showing of the two major party candidates for the highest office in the land and the crowd is going “mild”. The “event” will be moderated by a guy I’ve never heard of before (but many of us have heard of his book, Purpose Driven Life — Reverend Rick Warren (sorry about getting the church’s name wrong, Rev).
CNN (along with everybody else — see MemeOrandum) is carrying the story:
McCain, Obama to face off with popular pastor
From Ed Hornick
WASHINGTON (CNN) – The political spotlight will shine on Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama on Saturday night when the two candidates are expected to face tough questions on personal values, presidential leadership and international affairs.
The Rev. Rick Warren, author of the best-seller “The Purpose-Driven Life,” will spend an hour interviewing each candidate at his 20,000-member Saddleback mega-church in Southern California.
On CNN’s “The Situation Room” earlier this week, Warren said he won’t play the role of a political pundit or ask “gotcha” questions, but rather tackle four areas of interest: the role of the presidency in government, leadership, the candidates’ worldviews and America’s role internationally. …”
(Snip!)
“… Warren said he’s focused on asking both presumptive nominees questions that “don’t have a lot wiggle room.” …
There you go “Popular Reverend” and I’ve (again) never even heard of him before. Shows you what I know. And, yep — I’m shrugging…
And about this — no “wiggle room”, Rev? Haven’t you been watching these two guys lately? They both co-authored the book on “wiggle”, Sir. That’ll be the day…
I will predict this much, however; NEWS will be made tonight — REAL “news”, considering the fact that the vast, vast majority of Americans including this one consider themselves to be Christians. We’re finally going to learn something we either didn’t know before about one or both of these guys, or something we’ve suspected but haven’t had confirmed up to this point will be revealed, or, perhaps, I’m just being too optimistic here — perhaps they’ll both just “wiggle” and “wiggle” some more? We shall see, folks.
Last but not least for now — I’m highly disappointed Bob Barr, Ron Paul and Ralph Nader weren’t invited. After all, every last ONE of these guys wishes to be the president and like ‘em or not, or like IT (this two party “system” CARTEL) isn’t fair to leave any of these people out of any debate this early on in the action. Not to mention the FACT Zoghby International has just released a poll showing the vast majority of my fellow Americans feel the same way — Zoghby Poll HERE if you don’t believe it.
***
You want “live blogging” of the event? Andrew Sullivan of The Daily Dish (The Atlantic)’s gotchya’ covered:
The Obama-Warren Interview HERE –
AND…
The McCain-Warren Interview HERE –
GOOD STUFF, Mr. Sullivan!
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8:44 pm on August 16th, 2008 1
Been watching the Obama and Saddleback discussion.
Obama has done well. Struggled with the Abortion Issue and most likely angered slightly the gay people by saying he defined marriage as between a man and a woman.
Other then that I think he has done well and has been warmly received by the congregation which seems based upon applause to be about 75 percent Conservative and 25 percent liberal.
10:28 am on August 17th, 2008 2
McCain is not nearly as comfortable with people as is Obama. He seems stiff and his responses seemed canned. He is not nearly as thoughtful in his responses but that I think comes from being a politician for 30 years.
His thoughts are well thought out. Not that you agree or disagree with him but he has had 30 years of questions to think about what he believes, thinks and contemplate and to form that into positions on nearly everything under the sun.
I like Politicians that change their minds. Im not opposed to either one of them changing their mind. True flip flops however bother me.
The only time I think its flip flopping is if they change their mind of principals. Example of that is fisa and campaign financing. Those are principal issues for Obama. As for McCain I think the Illegal immigration is a flip flop on principals.
I personally believe the greatest threat to our national security is an unbalanced budget, 10 trillion dollars in debt and high oil prices. The candidate who best addresses that for me is the candidate who will get my vote.
1:02 pm on August 17th, 2008 3
too bad the question of McSame’s past with the first wife thing and ALL the circumstances was not more fully delved into. Evangels DO NOT like adulterers or poor family relationships…WIth all they have thrown at Barack, he still is above water. his personal, and religious life has been an open book, so why cannot the other guy? Barack IS a family man, has faith, and treats others with compassion and respect. He would never even “joke” about his wife entering a biker topless event and sure would not call her the “C” word…If they continue to press Edwards for all his problems lately with the “affair” and he IS NOT running for president, McSame is, then why is not Mcsame fair game? FIX (fox news) threw and continues to harp on Baracks’ past, albeit trivial things only the far right cares about who is not voting for him anyway.,..I hate to see negativity in campaigning, but the GOPhers and right started this on barack and WE can enter this game as well….Peace