Posted on 08/19/2008 8:28:38 AM PDT by quintr
Originally I wasn't going to get into that whole commentary about the Rick Warren forum between the presidential candidates at Saddleback. But -- since McCain outshined Obama and the Obamanites started screaming foul because (they say) McCain answered so quickly that he must have had some forewarning of what the questions would be. That way, he could cram for the exam.
The first thing that strikes me is that people will often accuse other people of doing something that they would have done or would like to do.
The second thing is that the reason for McCain's quick responses could be based on two points that make his answers more real: (1) his answers reflected his core beliefs and values, and (2) his answers brought in experiential material embedded in his psyche.
Neither of those two points require rehearsals or foreknowledge.
For instance, he does not need to rehearse or know the question ahead of time that has to do with his opinion of when life begins: "At the moment of conception," was McCain's answer.
Whether we all admit it or not, we know that's when life begins. A woman knows when she's pregnant. And if it's a life she's looked forward to bringing into this world, she's very excited when she knows she's pregnant. She gets on the phone to share the joy of her news with everyone she loves.
On the other hand, if pregnancy is not news that brings her joy and she is bent toward abortion, another woman still knows she's pregnant. In that instance, she'll start looking for an abortion clinic so that the new life within her can be snuffed out.
Different core values for two different women.
For the two presidential candidates, the same question could not have posed more polarized core values. When does life begin? It's at that point that a new baby has the constitutional right to live his or her life.
The other point has to do with how McCain could answer a question so quickly about the meaning of Christianity to him that was wrapped around his prisoner-of-war experiences. All those experiences of life as a POW, especially when the experiences brought him face to face with the very real thought that each day might just be his last, or each moment for that matter.
Anyone who confronts mortality comes away from that experience with a deepened spirituality. When it's just you facing God, you can believe that nothing on earth matters except your relationship with God. It's a mountaintop experience that leaves you forever humbled.
It's an experience that makes you realize that all the toys and all the fun and all the life engagements we enter into can be over in a flash. And whatever we are not willing to walk away from in life becomes an idol of sorts. Because in one nanosecond, you become one with your Maker again. And you take nothing with you.
And if God blesses you with another day, or another decade, then you are truly blessed. And changed forever.
So the difference in how these two men answered the questions that Warren gleaned from hundreds of thousands of questions sent in to him from across the country, comes down to very real differences in how they have experienced themselves against the backdrop of their lives.
It seems to me that Obama is still on stage.
McCain, on the other hand, is out there in the audience where life plays out.
Obama “thinks” he can just say what the audience wants to hear but we are past the Clinton Days...and I believe we all learned from that chapter. Obama may have charisma but he doesn’t have charm and America is waking up to reality. McCain revealed himself...Obama rehearsed his lines....
Obama's answers are often so slow, deliberate, and drawn-out because he's not telling us what he truly thinks.
Idiots. I don't particularly care for McCain, but he wiped the floor with Barry and the leftists know it.
Well stated.
Anybody and everybody KNEW there was going to be an abortion-related question (or more than one question) at the Civil Forum meeting. That Obama knew this well in advance, and gave the answer that he gave, shows that the job of President is well above his pay grade.
DITTOS!
Even if both candidates had been given the questions beforehand, how would that have affected their answers. That is, if their answers truthfully reflected their points of view.
— Jane
I agree completely. This premise is something that pathological liars just don’t get.
I parrot you when I say the great thing about being honest is that you don’t have to remember what you said to whom.
— Jane
We have to remember also - that Warren said the first question was given to both candidates in advance to ease their tension. Even knowing the first question Obama blows the answer big time. That first question? The 3 wisest people who you would consult as President. Mom and Grandma, followed by a drawn-out explanation why.
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