Posted on 08/16/2008 11:59:35 AM PDT by XR7
LAKE FOREST, Calif. — When John McCain and Barack Obama appear on the same stage today, they will vividly demonstrate the reach that has made the Rev. Rick Warren among the most significant evangelists of his generation.
He's a megastar who leads the nation's fourth-largest church and reaches thousands of ministers through the Internet and crusades against poverty and AIDS. That globe-trotting work and his successful book — "The Purpose-Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?" — puts him at the vanguard of a movement that inspires young, socially conscious Christians.
But his willingness to soft-pedal political issues once central to U.S. evangelicals, such as opposition to abortion, has opened him to criticism that he has strayed from his calling to spread the Gospel.
Today's forum also is a sign of religion's importance in the 2008 presidential campaign, and the emergence of a new style of evangelical leadership on the national stage that is not tied to a single party and has broadened its social agenda beyond that of the religious right.
"This is absolutely a changing of the guard, and it suggests that the new guard of the evangelical movement is able to generate the attention and focus of both parties," said D. Michael Lindsay, a sociologist at Rice University and author of "Faith in the Halls of Power: How Evangelicals Joined the American Elite."
Warren personally invited the two candidates — "friends of mine" — via their cellphones. His event at the Saddleback Church will be broadcast live on CNN and Fox News Channel and streamed on the Web. It has among its aims "helping the church regain credibility and encouraging our society to return to civility," he said.
It's likely that fans and critics will be watching closely...
(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.nwsource.com ...
Yep,Richie Allen meet Hoyt Wilhelm. This was a knock-out. A strike out that may have won the game!!
Well there it is. Don’t like Mcamnesty or Global warming BS, but bottom line one of these guys is going to be president and... barring a pro-choice VP...I’m in.
Wow! Good job McCain! I started to warm up to him like I did with Reagan. McCain talked like a conservative.
Mccain took no prisoners he was powerful.
I don’t think that was too big an issue, it is very common among more mature people in civil discussion.
What a GRRREAT! Performance J.M. did tonight! Thoroughly caught me off guard!
One “my friend”...One drink....Problem solved...((;O)
Can someone give me a rundown of the talking heads opinions...I have a wife watching the olympic marathon...(
Same questions he asked Snowbama, from what I saw.
Today’s request in my mail for money for John McCain was a note from Cindy asking me to wish John a Happy Birthday (with money.) I will definitely return the card with a check. He earned it tonight.
It seems you have invented the frinking game for the next “debate”.
prepare for the Dinosaur Media Obamagasms.
McCain was not my first choice by far. However, there is no rationale that I can think of that we can not choose McCain over Obama.
Picking Lieberman would be dumb for McCain and I share your concern. Trial balloons are thrown around. I wouldn’t worry it. However, even if Lieberman was the VP choice - would the decision to pick McCain over Obama be any less difficult. We would be a lot less happy but I still would arrive at a 0% probability of not picking McCain.
Mention of the protestors
Ladycalif is there protesting
hey Lady you got a shoutout
LOL
Thank-you for the reality check.
G'night and stay strong!
Can’t decide which cry baby channel, CNN or MSNBC? for follow up
Campaign Carl - excuses for Obama - vacation, long flight, blah blah.
Send Obama clean underwear, he’s needing it right now.
McCain did great but Fox has Ann Lewis on her panel. What the hell is the matter with them... I HATE that woman!!!!
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