Political Punch

The fundamental difference between Mormonism to the rest of the Christian world is not Christian history but more specifically the history after the church of Christ fell into apostasy.
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rosesmith

The Mormons believe in Restoration not a Reformation.America is turning into a theocracy and in 20 years it will be hard to distinguish America from Iran.
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We don't need your ramblings, justrighttoo...

Just say "Ditto, Rush!" and we'll know where you're coming from.

I will certainly concede that we Latter-day Saints to not subscribe to all the tenants of historical Christian orthodoxy. I suppose that whether or not that disqualifies us from being "Christian" would depend on how one defines the term. The earliest Christians did not subscribe many of these tenants because they had not been formulated. Many, likely not educated in Greek metaphysics, conceived of anything like the Nicene Creed. Like most Christians today who are not philosophically sophisticated, they probably conceived of something heretical like tri-theism or modalism. Today if you ask everyday Christians, say, in Africa or South America to describe the trinity they describe one or the other, typically. It takes a lot of philosophical coaching to describe the paradoxical trinity accurately. So I ask, are these well intentioned, though philosophically unsophisticated believers Christians? Is training in metaphysics necessary for salvation?

I believe that Jesus is my savior and that only through his grace can I escape eternal hell. I have different views than many evangelicals on how that grace is accessed, but that is a different issue than the centrality of His grace as the primary and necessary means to eternal salvation. For this reason I see myself as Christian and I have a personal witness that Christ sees me as such. If you don’t see me that way, that’s okay with me.

It looks like the tide is turning, not only in the battelfied of Iraq, but also in the race for the white house--in McCain's favor! McCain's answers were consistently in line with what you would hear in most sermons. Obama's answers, on the other hand, made me wonder which church he's been attending, if any. Hey, can you tell the difference as to who's the shepperd and who's Golliad? Please pray before you vote :) You might need some spiritually guidance!

Mormons are good people, from those I've met. They aren't Christian, but they are nice, good people. Why are they not Christian? Because they do not believe in the basic Christian Doctrines. Start with only one God. And then ask mormons about Joe Smith. It all goes downhill from there. Their choice. Check the Christine Doctrines. Oh, and humans don't ever become gods.

According to CNN, McCain's motorcade did not arrive at Saddleback until a half-hour into Obama's questions. It does raise questions! Obama did fine: his answers were nuanced and careful. McCain's answers, although colorful, came off as a rushed, knee-jerk stump speech. I would prefer a president who took his time to truly think and answer, whether liberal or conservative.

"What harm is there in allowing a preacher to ask specific questions which many would like to know the answer to?"
The Founding Fathers found it harmful enough to prohibit any religious test for public office in Article 6, Sec 3 of the Constitution (further evidenced by Madison’s arguments in the Federalist Papers, No 52). This PRINCIPLE is ignored by theistic majorities, media- whoever can exploit its demise in the public square, under the argument that it is practical knowledge. Is it? Only if you see leaders of minority faiths/no faith as inferior... I think majority theists have shown that politically and ethically, they are no better leaders than non-theists/theists in the minority. This kind of journalism is a slap in the face to Constitutional principals and can NOT avoid institutionalizing specific faiths and ill, divisive standards for generations to come. Bad idea folks.

I have heard rick warren put down other religions or churches even when what he was saying wasn't right meaning he really didn't know and still say those things. what kind of rev. or christian leader are you? Im not part of any major denomination but i have good friends from different churches that are very honest and are very kind people. mr warren thinks the flds and the lds are the same. I may not be a member but i can tell you he is as bad as warren jeffs himself by saying these things when he is supposed to be an EXAMPLE. lets play wheel of fortune the category is before and after _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ = rick warren jeffs lol let him open his mouth and say these wrong things but that will mean less respect for him

There is nothing wrong with someone wanting to know what kind of beliefs the candidates for president have. If you don't care, then don't watch the show. You have a right to base your vote on whatever is important to you but you should also be willing to let others do the same. What harm is there in allowing a preacher to ask specific questions which many would like to know the answer to? It is no different than other debate shows choosing the questions that they ask. Like I said, if you don't care what the questions on this show are about or what answers are given then don't listen!

Some people are so shallow. Just because McCain was quick to answer and spoke directly to the crowd doesnt make him right. Just because Obama thought about his answers and spoke more directly to the Paster doesnt make him wrong. Some of the best can lie and con while looking directly in to your eyes.Its called being experianced in politics. You have to look beyond the showmanship and fast replys that by the way sounded rehearsed and typical of a 72 year old republican canidate and look to the answers and what they meant deep down inside. Nobody won and nobody lost. Just two different men with different ways of reaching a goal. Two different men with two different backgrounds and beliefs and personalities. Not a black and white country or world.

Sheila, Liar and Phony=Barak Obama. Obama has lied his whole life!Obama has been a traitor to his own country! With William Ayers and Rev. Wright being his friends for years. Look at your close friends, that will tell you what type of person you are.Obama=Socialist. He doesn't believe in this country's roots on a republican form of government. McCain did cheat on his first wife and asked God's forgiveness. If God can forgive, can you? Or are you holier than thou? Clinton cheated many times, yet it was no big deal for the Democrats! Hypocritical Party! THE ONLY REASON why Obama did this was because of the huge loses of the evangelical vote in 2004. Obama waffled throughout these questions, while McCain was short, sweet and to the point. Why should it take insight and searching to talk about evil or abortion? It's either you ARE for it or not! It's QUITE simple.Obama has zero integrity and has put his own self centered interests FIRST. And Sheila, when you have been a POW for 5 years, then YOU can criticize whether McCain collarborated under duress or not. It was very telling that Obama would mention Clarence Thomas. As an African-American, he should have been proud to have seen another on the bench. What was BAFFLNG was that he said Thomas had no experience! Talk about calling the kettle BLACK!!!Takes one to know one I guess.Obama's answer on beating Evil, by using humility. What a crock! Look Bin Laden, even though you killed thousands of people, well, just go to this jail cell and we'll feed and clothe you for the rest of your life. And you child molester, you only need to serve 90 days (which is what the left leaning justices do in Vermont.)Yeah, right.I'm sure that is what Roosevelt thought after Pearl Harbour.McCain clearly won last night. I felt sorry for Hillary supporters, they were biting their nails!

willie----------First of all a lot of us do not think Obama did bad last night. I think he was more honest. He wanted prople to learn about him and how he thinks. He didnt campaine like McCain which is what that forum was supposed to be like. McCain di great also but they aproach it in different ways. I do not think McCain or anyone else cheated and I am a Obama supporter.
How come when you read one or two post you lump all Obama supporters in to one lot. Back to the old ideas that everything is either this saide or that side. Back to black and white with no room for grey.

I'm an Independent voter and have been sitting on the fence, so to speak, since the election process began. I've got to say the decisisiveness with which McCain gave his answers in this interview gave evidence of the valuable experience in many areas of government policy (not just faith) which is necessary to run this country effectively. He spoke as a leader should, decisive, straight to the point, made eye contact with, and spoke directly to the audience. In sharp contrast, Obama's head was down, his eyes fixated upon the table as he spoke. I cannot trust anyone who will not make direct continual eye contact with me.

Obama on the abortion issue is "above his pay grade" .
Obama finally speaks the truth! He is not qualified to answer a simple & direct question on a national and moral issue. If the abortion issue is above his pay grade, then the office of President, is absolutely above his qualifications and judgment. ------------Thats one way to look at it. Personaly I think it was good answer. Instead od pretending to be mister know it all and not claiming to be God and have all the answers he is honest and undertands it is not a black and white world and there is plenty of Grey. We already have a President that puts himself on a pedestal and makes decisions without regard to American interest and the American wants and needs. Where politicians like McCain and Bush have concrete preconceived ideas with very little room for change of thought, Obama says honestly where he is and admits he doesnt have an answer to everything. Gosh, welcome to being human. I would much rather have a president that comes to office humble and open to all aspects as to one that thinks he knows all answers when it fact he doenst. We already have one of those.

Because Obama looked bad last night and would not answer most of the questions, now Obama’s supporters are claiming that Pastor Rick Warren at Saddleback Church is a cheater. Pastor Rick Warren had given the questions to McCain before hand. It shows how much Obama’s supporters know their man. Obama never do well in debates or interviews. Look at his past debates and interview with Hillary. What help him in some of the Hillary’s debates was Hillary’s answering the questions first and Obama agreeing with her.

Obama on the abortion issue is "above his pay grade" .
Obama finally speaks the truth! He is not qualified to answer a simple & direct question on a national and moral issue. If the abortion issue is above his pay grade, then the office of President, is absolutely above his qualifications and judgment.

So now it's all Rick Warren's fault! You Democrats just kill me! Obama looked bad! He sounded even worse! That's why they are basically tied in the polls! Rick Warren asked the candidates the same questions one on one! We all saw distinctly the differences between the two candidates. You all thought that McCain was going to do bad because Obama has spoken to christian organization's on at least three different occasions in the past! I am a black man from Louisiana and I am saying Obama looked bad! McCain was direct and straight to the point! Obama as president its a mystery is to what we are getting but McCain we will know on the first day of what we are getting! Right now I am leaning for McCain and yes I am a 4th generation Army veteran! I don't think working for comunity groups like ACORN compairs to military service as serving your country!

I am sure that many evangelical scholars have realized that Obama, in the last night's interview with pastor Warren, presented a broad vision in contrast to the narrow outlook based on calculations for immediated political gain as presented by McCain. For example, to the question on 3 wise men. McCain Came up with the name of Patreus first. Nobody denies that Patreus is a war hero with a great strategy on war front. But, do you take his advice on matters whether you go for a war with a country or whethet you need to build a better rapport with your European allies? Second, on the question on stem cell research, McCain was hoping that the problem (conflict with prolife ideology) will go away once the research direction with skin cells shapes up. You need to face challenges, not wish them go away. Didn't Galileo stand up to the persecution of Christian Fathers who were against his theory that earth moves around the sun? Next, on the question about the approach one need to take regarding evil, McCain came up with the obvious name of Bin Laden as evil personified, and took the opportunity for political pandering. Obama, on the other hand, presented a broader vision presenting maby examples of evil wihich are both subtle and obvious, both internal and external. His approach is more from a moralistic perspective because he said we need to act with utmost humility here because sometimes we, in the name of fighting evil, tend to take the evil role ourselves. However, intellectuals only understand these differences. For the general masses, McCain's political pandering only matters.

This again proves what I have been saying all along.

Obama is not ready for this job.

He may never be. I think there will be more and more information that the Big 3 Obama networks will not be able to ignore.

Obama's associations with radical Socialist and Radical thinking people not to mention crooks will lose him this election.

This is stuff that Obama does not what you to know about. When it is revealed the undecided votef will not longer be undecided.

Simply put for me. I voted for Hillary because Obama would not do.

Obama still will not do and that leads me to vote for MCCain.

Obama and his stuttering, with Rick leading him with his answers..Obama never once finsished the question he was asked after the aha uhh ahh you know ahh dah..McCain looked and sounded SO PRESIDENTIAL thats whay he will be our next President

We all observe reality from our own bias point of view, we all saw the same interview and drew a million different conclusions. I was impressed by Obama. He spoke one on one with Rick Warren - didn't pander, preach or campaign - which is all McCain did. On the question "How would you deal with evil?" - McCain said - "We must destroy it!" I liked Obama's answer. "We must confront evil but we must do so in a way that assures us - we do not become what we detest." America needs to stop being so agressive in settling disputes. There are more ways to solve problems than war and violence. Thousands of innocent Iraqi people are dead because of Bush's self-righteous crusade, thousands more are wounded, homeless and totally disenfranchised. How is this Christian? Reagan tore down the Berlin wall and reset the doomsday clock without firing a shot! The clock is now at 5 minutes to midnight. Not a lot of room for McCain's "destroy it" point of view. The world's nation's need to turn this clock back now, no nation or people will win a nuclear conflict - we will destroy our planet and all lifeforms. It is ludicrous for us to worry about saving whales and polar bears when we sit on the largest nuclear arsenal in the world and continue to "play chicken". We are all in denial - this has to be addressed and the agression must stop!

Obama would agree with those faith-based initiatives since he is a Christian who went to a church that had many different social programs. He saw how much good Trinity did outside of the Pastor of the church, and that they would need that kind of support to continue their work. Also, we all know most communities revolve around churches so it would be a good idea to utilize them as a first line of defense for many of the issues we face today.

The reason Obama answered, Michelle, and his grandmother,when asked who he sonsidered his influence, and or guiding light was because he was afraid to list his true influences, Frank Davis (Communist Party)William Ayers (Weather Underground) Pastor Wright (Black Liberation Theologist)

Whatever happened to separation of church and state? On Dec. 12, 2002, President George W. Bush issued two executive orders putting into place his controversial "faith-based" initiative “In his State of the Union address, Bush renewed a call for Congress to make permanent his faith-based proposals that would allow religious organizations to compete for more government contracts and grants”. “By studying Bush White House press releases and the White House web site, Daniel Zwerdling found that religious groups could apply to more than a hundred federal programs that gave out more than $65 billion. In addition, religious groups could apply for more money through state-administered programs”. Do a Google search on “bush faith-based charities” and gain a little knowledge. July 1,08 taking a page from President Bush, Democrat Barack Obama said Tuesday he wants to expand White House efforts to steer social service dollars to religious groups, risking protests in his own party with his latest aggressive reach for voters who usually vote Republican.

Hey Willie, how do you explain the fact that Mccain wanted to 'go back' to the supreme court justices question, yet the topic had not yet come up? Is Mccain psychic?

Obama's answers were lengthy because he had to think to answer them. Which lets me know it was coming from a good place. The fact that McCain breezed through them and like others have said related a lot of it to war is disturbing. He didn't give substantive answers and he talked about Bush negatively, but still wants to institute a lot of the same policies. Repulicans say they don't want big government, but they have FISA, Patriot Act, trying to define marriage, trying to end abortion, Iraq War, and numerous other policies. Yes, Obama voted for the second FISA, because it is wartime right now and he notices that there is a need for it. If the war never began we wouldn't need FISA or the Patriot Act that promotes illegal search and seizures and racial profiling. People deserve their privacy and the choice to do what they please. Obama 2008!

Every one of McCain's answers was either an old war story and/or a canned and rehearsed campaign talking point. He lacked the courtesy to allow Rick Warren the chance to finish a question, interrupting with his memorized one-liners. Sadly, McCain is war-damaged goods and knows only one approach to lead and that is to lead us to war. We need more as a country and simplistic "drill here, drill now" isn't gonna carry it. Was Obama at his peak, no. but if he was highly polished, he'd be criticized by this crowd for that as well.

Obama charms with empty frases while thinking through eeh, ahhs and fruitless answers. I was not impressed with Obama answer on who influences him; family Michelle and grandmother were hollow answers to buy time, and when moving over to the administration part he simply was weak.

Obama charms with empty frases while thinking through eeh, ahhs and fruitless answers. I was not impressed with Obama answer on who influences him; family Michelle and grandmother were hollow answers to buy time, and when moving over to the administration part he simply was weak.

Just wanted to add something. The other issue with McCain style politics and beliefs is I am afraid he will be like Bush in this area. He will devote so much attention and american resources to war, that he will let things like the economy, border security, unemployment, the food and drug administration, health care, crime, prisons, rehabiltation, eduacation, etc fall into the back seat like G. Bush. If I have to call one more customer service rep and get someone in India or another visa worker. We are out sourcing all our jobs. Small and big businesses are closing their doors and our economy is sliding and unemployment is going up. People are loosing their homes because of loosing their jobs. On and On. Im scared McCain would keep us on this road. Everything he referrs to is back to his POW or military experiance with no real ideas on our economy and what we are dealing with on a daily basis. Sure he likes to use buzz terms like off shore drilling because he knows that will hit a soft spot with Americans. But if Americans do not have a job, are loosing their home, are loosing their car or truck because they cant make payments, cant get rehired because no one is hiring and small businesses hanging on by a thread, then off shore drilling doesnt do much for us. There are so many concerns and problems right now at home we cant put all the resources and the Presidents attention in to just one area like Iraq. And we cant fix the problems and put in new programs or fix the ones we have without paying for it and Obama is honest on that issue. I am a Master Chief in the Navy on my 29th year. One year to go!! I probabaly will have to open a business or get a job once I am retired. Navy pension is great but givin our current situation its just not enough. Givin our situation it would be hard to open a business when people are scrared to death and are not spending money and businesses are not hiring. I usually vote Rep. but it is time for a different aproach. Obama 08

I really liked the format. Obama was having a conversation with Pastor Warren while McCain talked directly to the crowd.Obama was thoughtful and fairly open with his answers while McCain went straight to the Right. He was effective in his delivery but his responses were out of the mainstream for most undeclared voters.

I think its just 2 different ways of seeing the canidates. Rep. will see McCain as the best and Dem will see Obama as the best. If nothing else on issues and policies alone. It comes down as to what someone thinks a leader should be and what kind of leader this country needs. Not that McCain wouldnt be a leader, and certainly not 100 percent the same as Bush but I feel he would lead like Bush and make decisions on the fly without regard to the big picture and the future. He seems he would make decisions based on his emotions instead of being thought out and what that descision might mean for us and our welfare down the road.Obama seems to be more a thinker in that he would weigh all sides of the situation before jumping to a decision. I feel he would lead the country more like a business manager and gather as much info from all sides before making a decision. An educated, thought out decision if you know what I mean. Sure McCain has more experiance than Obama but is that the end of all ends? We have dealt with Presidents that come to office with preconceived ideas like George bush. You cant sway them and they really dont care what the public thinks nor wants. Obama would be better at taking in a situation, doing his home work, looking at all the facts, consulting with the experianced men and women he will surround himseld with, looking at what his decision will mean, not only for today but what it will mean for tomorrow and even 10 years from now and for our kids and their future. I am afraid the McCain will keep us at war in one place or another for a long time and might jump the gun to quickly when dealing with international problems like Russia and Iran.For lack of better terms. McCain is a military type person and Obama is more a business type person. Experiance isnt everything as we have seen but the ability to make good well weighed decisions is, when you are making a decision that will effect millions or billions of people. Obama 08

The truth is Obama sounds more liked Donald Rumsfeld. We do not need another Rumsfeld in office.

Love the debate that was not a debate. This type of forum should be done more often. For the first time, the two men got a chance to speak and deliver their positions without having to be forced into a sentationalized nonsense boxing match that really only benefit the networks. I'm happy warren set a new standard for the up coming debates. I learned much more about these candidates after the forum. I must say, they are very different and america do have a real choice in November. I am so anxious to see what this country will come to. I believe both Obama and Mccain did well....just different. If you like the analytical, nuiance and not so certain positions on thing...as some say..the gray position on most issues then Obama is your man. However, if you perceive Mccain's direct, concise to the point answers as a result of a life lived, lessons learned and experience then Mccain is your man. Two distinct flavors to choose from. Fascinating election!

Mainstream religions are wrong about the trinity.
Mormons are right.

God Christ and the Holy Ghost are three separate and distinct individuals,One in Purpose not form.
And both God and Christ have a Body of Flesh and bones.While the Holy spirit is indeed a Spirit.

The Christians believe one changed scripture that says Gods a spirit and one misinterpeted scripture that says God and Christ are one.
The Mormons can show at least 6 or eight scriptures in the Holy Bible that support the trinity as Three persons ,Being only "One in purpose".

I liked the format very much. I was impressed with some of Obamas answers. I was blown away with McCains.

McCain was very good and engaging. Obama at times seemed to be answering like he rehearsed the answers.

Truth be known this was not Obamas base. However it was played to the nation and it gave us a look at the candidates we have not seen as of yet.

This should shut up the "McSame" haters on quite a few blog blasts.

McCain clearly was the winner. We will see a bump in the polls midweek.

I would like to see this format going forward instead of the debates. It is much more intimate and revealing.

Warren was a poor moderator.
A moderator is supposed to moderate, he didn't.
The questions were typical, lame softball questions.
McCain angrily pandered to his base and kept going back 30 years.
Obama gave answers that were to long and nuanced for the average voter.

All in all, I'd say neither candidate hurt or helped themselves much.
I'd call it a draw.

Who cares Phelps won his 8th gold medal of the 08 Olympics 14 gold overall and 16th medal; thats news!

After listening to "THE ONE" in the interview he had with Warren, I definetely arrived a conclusion that he is not the one but instead he is the one revealed in the Bible as you know. Poor _ the one_ he was adviiced to do the role by his camp and scriptwriter, they did not help him go through the interview to convince the people that he is the one but instead he was the opposite of what his role is about. The problem of too much assuming, he ends up being assumed in the exact opposite he was trying to impress.

I think they were both great but different in their approach. I am a Obama supporter. McCain was outstanding and showed no sign of old age. However he is all about older in your face type
politics. He also seemed to me to be scary in that he would pull the trigger in a second. He also seemed to campaine rather than let the public get to know the real inner McCain. On the other hand Obama, and I know some say he cant answer without a cue card, seemed to give each question deep thought before answering. I think he really wanted Americans to get to know him and the way he thinks. I think its a good thing that he gives the question thought before answering. Shows intelligence when making the right decision and not jumpng the gun. Obama was having a discussion and McCain was campaining. I certainly think Obama would be better for our economy and makes a good point that if we are going to deal with a war, heath care, education etc, it got to be paid for and the money has to come from somewhere. McCain doesnt know about economics and would continue with Bush polocies, economics and military. McCain did a better job of talking to peoples emotions with his war stories, but emotions are not going to fix our broken country. Two different styles but Obama is what this country needs now or in 4 plus years we will find ourselves in the same position or worse.
Quick draw vs thought and reasoning.

George Carlin once said :"If humanity is the best that Mother Nature could do, all I can say is, she set her sights low and settled even lower". This observation also seems appropriate here. If offering sound bites and empty rhetoric is the mark of being "presidential" then we have set our sights pretty low too. I was glad to see that Obama spent some time answering the questions that were asked. It made it seem that he was giving HIS answers not the answers of his campaign manager.

What a bunch of SOFTBALL questions!!! What is marriage? Stem cell research? Abortion? Come on! What about the ten commandments? What about tithing? What about prayer? What about lying? Adultery? The Golden Rule? The new testament church? The are questions on faith. It's no wonder Warren has sold so many books. He's not challenging anyone on the tourch questions about faith and the teaching of Christ.

david from texas:

Sorry dude but Obama went ahead of McCain after the question show according to Gallop, again sorry dude your hero the so called Conservatve Christian who walked out on an injured wife for a cutie with big bucks (his god money) some family values he's got.

I believe that Obama looked like a stuttering idiot and did not answer the questions like a professional unlike Mccain who was concise and who looked extremely presidential. I am a democrat who supported Hillary but I have kept an open mind about Obama and he has totally disappointed me and he is absolutely a dangerous man because there are people in the world who will ignore his shortcomings and vote for him anyway because of one thing or another but just like the same people voted for a second Bush term they should be cautious and think about what they are sacrificing in going for Obama. Remember when asked the question who would you rather have a beer with and the answer was George Bush and he was elected and reelected. This presidency is too important to waste on trivial answers that don't matter.

Senator Obama was extremely thoughtful, honest and compassionate when answering his questions regardless of what others have stated. I didn’t recognize or notice any pandering or wavering with his responses. As for Senator McCain, please stop with the war stories. I didn’t hear anything different besides the typical town hall meeting responses; drill now, Vietnam and his stander line “my friends”. Please answer this question. Why is Senator McCain campaigning and referring to his “military experience”. He retired from the Navy as a Captain, commanding a flight training command in Florida a far cry from leading troops in combat and winning wars…

Because Obama looked bad last night and would not answer most of the questions, now Obama’s supporters are claiming that Pastor Rick Warren at Saddleback Church is a cheater. Pastor Rick Warren had given the questions to McCain before hand. It shows how much Obama’s supporters know their man. Obama never do well in debates or interviews. Look at his past debates and interview with Hillary. What help him in some of the Hillary’s debates was Hillary’s answering the questions first and Obama agreeing with her.

John McCain is a liar and a cheat.If you think Bush is a bad president just let McCain get elected.We will all be looking for another country to live in.Obama wasn't as strong as I would have liked, but I am still voting for him. Hillary would have already put McCain far behind by now. I am a christian, I had the correct feeling about Bush and I was right about him.McCain will be much worse.I am 62 yrs. old and i can tell you this is an election I am truly focused on.

American picks their future President based on poor debates performances and not knowing the answers. Remember, Bush and Al Gore debates, Bush and Kerry debates. Bush performed poorly on all of his debates. Also the 2008 primary, Hillary and Obama debates, Obama look and sounds the same as last night format. Candidates that are not prepared and do poorly win the White House. As a democrat, I hate to say it but Obama is another Bush.

One thing was glaringly ly obvious (or assumed): that the only Christians in the country are Anglo whites. Where were the Asian Christians, and the Hispanic Christians, and the African American Christians and those of the Jewish faith, etc.? I was disappointed that this looked more like a Repubican event and not an event for a country with Christians of ALL races. A very poor and over-hyped event.

McCain looked strong, but seemed to either have been prepped, or have unwilling to listen to the complete question. He came across as strong and clear, but also as the I-Know-The-Answer and I-Am-Right, type of person. He treated it like a political speech. Obama was more conversational and thoughtful, but didn't come across as strong. The forum was billed as a conversational forum on faith, but Rick Warren quickly let it devolve into another political debate on the issues, many of which did had little to do with faith. I though Pastor Warren did a poor job for somone so versed in teh scriptures. He didn't ask about Israel, the 10 commandments, the teachings of Christ, prayer, raising children, a whole host of important issues. He allowed McCain to give his rehearsed speeches, and Obama to answer questions in non-specific ways. Warren was the failure here, not the candidates.

“Adultery is a violation of biblical instruction as well as an offense against the other partner in what should be a sacred relationship. Furthermore, the breach of faith is disastrous to children - as well as the broader society," said Pastor Rod Parsley. "Too many men and women are willing to surrender to passion and desires of the flesh without considering the repercussions of those fleeting moments of pleasure." – I wonder if McCain said a prayer before he went into that church last night.

Obama was extremely weak with many of his responses. McCain was very clear and concise with his responses, so much that I wonder if he was over prepared with his responses. At one point he was answering the question about abortions, he asked if they were going to go back to supreme court justices. At that point supreme court justices had not come up yet. I think it's a possibility someone got their hands on the questions in advance for McCain.

The worst response of the night for Obama... He would not have appointed Clarence Thomas because of lack of experience. What was he thinking?

McCain sounded solid and this forum changed my mind about who I will vote for, in light of current security issues about our country with what could be the beginning of a third world war McCain is by far the strongest leader. Obama mud waffled on his answers and was trying avoided the answers in an effort for crowd approval. When asked who he would call on for advice he said his wife and grandmother. Just how safe does that make people feel considering that we are on the verge of being drawn into what might be World War III? McCain was by far the best in this forum and is the best candidate for President he made Obama look like an inexperienced little boy. Obama mud waffled in this forum. I will vote for McCain based upon this forum and he did a fantastic job which gives me hope for America.

Obama panders away. He has the position of the Dems party, which he represents even in a crowd goes the other way. However, when asked what HE THINKS a panderer like Obama not only delivers the party position on the matter of abortion, Obama blows the answer away with a "cool" remark about this being above his pay grade. I am sorry Obama, but you didn't answer the question.

Obama panders away. He has the position of the Dems party, which he represents even in a crowd goes the other way. However, when asked what HE THINKS a panderer like Obama not only delivers the party position on the matter of abortion, Obama blows the answer away with a "cool" remark about this being above his pay grade. I am sorry Obama, but you didn't answer the question.

I thought Obama was thoughtful and honest. I felt that he was having a conversation. Some of the things he said didn't go over big with the God crowd but he was being truthful. When they were talking about faith based programs using federal money but hiring only people of similar faith, Obama didn't cater to the crowd. He said there were problems with that. Only George Bush's justice department would get away with that. McCain I felt was campaigning...how many times did he say my friend? Probably as many times as he mentioned the hanoi hilton. He just says what will get him sympathy or what is popular. No taxes for anyone. The government just won't spend any money. Right.

I find it interesting that the Obama supporters are all about doing whatever they can to discredit the interviewer, who frankly asked good interesting questions.

Your candidate is a worse speaker than Bush, who SUCKS. McCain was delivering prepackaged answers a lot of the time, but I can definitely see why Obama will do anything he can to limit the number of debates. The man is not good on his feet, and simply can't hold up his end of a conversation.

I hate to admit it, but Hillary would have beaten McCain and absolutely destroyed Obama in this forum. I believe Richardson could have done ok, but aside from Huckabee, none of the Republican nominees (maybe Thompson) would have done well here at all.

Kudos to Mr. Warren on a well done forum. VERY enlightening to actually have thoughtful questions asked (the press sure as hell isnt doing it).

McCain did a good job. Obama was a big disappointment.

Without a teleprompter and a big rock star stage/audience, Obama came across as a programmed robot toy/empty suit ... with a stuttering problem.

Not only did Obama present himself and look terrible tonight, that constant "whistle" in his voice and the stammering are things that I hope we don't have to listen to for four years.

My first choice is Hillary Clinton for President, but McCain will get my vote unless the delegates at the Dem convention come to their senses and nominate the best person for the POTUS job - Hillary Clinton!

John McCain's answer to the Moral issue in his personal life was his first marriage ended. Well I hate to bust anyones bubble, but McCain's marriage ending was NOT his personal moral issue.

McCain's Personal Moral Issue was, His first wife Waiting for him, Loyal for him while he was a POW, she never faultered.

McCain's Personal Moral Issue was, John's first wife stood by his side when he dealt with deep depression and emotional flare ups as he tried to deal with the trauma of being an ex-POW after returning from VietNam.

McCain's Personal Moral Issue was, when his first wife suffered physically from an accident, John McCain did NOT stand by his first wife side. Instead he cheated on her continuously.

McCain's Personal Moral Issue was, deciding that he wanted to marry one of the women he had been dating while he was still married to his first wife and living in their home. So McCain handed his first wife the divorce papers as he was leaving his first wife.

McCain's Personal Moral Issue was, John McCain ended his first marriage to his most loyal and trusting wife.

John McCain's Personal Moral Issue is, he does not see ADULTRY as a sin. John truly believes that he did nothing wrong.

McCain looked nervous tonight and had to pull out forty-year-old war stories every two minutes instead of directly answering the questions.

He may impress himself when he practices in front of his mirror, but if I hear one more rehearsed war story from this guy I'm gonna puke.

After watching both candidates, you get the sense that McCain was confident and at ease, relating anecdotes about his life with regard to his captivity. Those were expected but the one I most enjoyed was the one about Cindy introducing him to his "new adoptive daughter"
Obama came across as thinking too much about what others may think he should say. He was not as assertive with his answers because he kept defending them. He did fairly well with the audience but was not as successful in connecting as McCain. I was suprised with the whole format by Rev. Rick Warren. He asked better questions than actual reporters.
Overall, McCain did great.

Rick_vt,

I know this is the obvious answer, but from your comment it looks like you did not think of this, so I will highlight it for you. In some cases War protects sanctity of life from aggressors who are taking the lives of defenseless people. SO, during WW2 going to war against Nazi Germany was an effort to protect the sanctity of the lives of the Jews, French, Polish, British, and others.

Obama just proved he's not a Muslim. Game over Obama wins.

Why did Obama look so uncomfortable during the interview? His head was laying to the right and he looked like he had a crick in his neck. He usually appears to be so cool, but during that interview he looked strange and stuttered alot. What's wrong Barak? Gosh, i was really disappointed in his appearance. I expected more from him.

Huckabee is on commenting about tonight... talking about the Christian fundamentalist belief in the sanctity of life, all life... young, old and in-between - all sacred. However, this same group is strongly Pro-war. Are we to just read into this phrase as the "Sanctity of American human life" and just designate the rest as non-human lives unless they have American values? I have a huge problem with this groups hypocrisy of Pro-life AND Pro-war value system as a God bestowed right of this country and this country alone.

Cathy --- John McCain could not answer one single question without inserting his rehearse campaign talking points, and speeches which he has been giving for the past 2 years, and which John McCain has memorized.
All John McCain did tonight is say the same garbage he has been saying in every town hall meeting for the past 2 years, including his whole Vietnam bit, which is really getting old!!!
Yawn, boring, phony!!!

John McCain CANNOT think on his feet, he is a dunce, idiot, who was just repeating the same rehearsed garbage he has been saying everyday in his lame town hall meetings.
Everthing John McCain said tonight I have heard 100 time before, everything he said about Vietnam I