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 ...
McCain is doing great.. just relax he talks with out the Uhs...
You're right. Pity Petraeus is otherwise occupied. He'd make a great running mate.
He definitely sounds way more sincere. Doing great. Except the Peace Corps bit. They are liberal loons.
hmmmmmmmmmmm
sounds like the crowd like McCain....
is it just me— or do they sound louder clapping for McCain than they did for the Messiah?
By George, I think I’m actually beginning to really like McCain.
Oh this is hard...HAHAHA!
Yeah, McCain working against Republicans is hilarious.
Whew- I about DIED in my chair- we slid through that one...
His greatest moral failure: his first marriage.
America’s greatest- not serving enough causes greater than our self interest- BUT HE REMINDED us that we ARE THE BEST at it..
Presidential demeanor.
Soft-spoken.
So far, so good.
This is his type of forum..
AMNESTY Bill
He’s funny tonight. Maybe because we did all of that Obama drinking.
So far, mclame is doing well. I don’t like him, but he’s woing well. Informed, witty, engaging, thoughtful.
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama says America’s greatest moral failure is its insufficient help to the disadvantaged.
Obama noted that the Bible quotes Jesus as saying “whatever you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me.”
He said the maxim should apply to victims of poverty, sexism and racism.
Juniper berries, I think.
who knows.
Obambi’s crowd was better dressed. Wonder what that means.
You hit it. It’s not only that he doesn’t know himself, but he hates what he doesn’t know.
I woulda asked Obama this question:
“What in the hell is wrong with you? Are you stumping for the care bears?”
crowd sounds louder and church website said all 550 members are from the press.
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