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 ...
Americans do NOT like reporters.
This has been a stunning performance.
Warren cut that off.
Hey, did Obama get asked about Darfur and Georgia?
Former Senator Bill Frist TN doctor...
Been working all over the world ...
Yes he did. He said we needed everyone’s approval to intervene.
He is now sounding reasonable...using the word “temper “ in war. He sure is proud of our country!
Now he is speaking to “women”...HELLO...Hillary girls!
Now he is talking about offering “ logistics, equipment”.
talking now globally about Georgia!
McCain stated his positions clearly, while Obama was umm umm umm wha wha wha......
Americans know McCain a little better and still remain confused about Obama.
Wonderful!
Again ... frink ... too canned, John .. cut it out.
No I think obama kept mentioning Darfur himself...
and that he would send troops there etc
I agree. I am still stunned... I’m no fan of McCain, but he just wiped the floor with Obama.
I can’t wait to see the media’s spin on this...
Now there ya go!!!!
That's not my only choice :)
PING!
ok he said territorial integrity.
Lets see what he says about a border fence.
Ditto. I think they’re just as stunned as we are.
McCain: “territorial integrity”
Obama was never so specific
Georgia could be like Afghanistan when the russians were there...
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