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 ...
barf
Campaign Carl loves libs.
Well, maybe that’s where the focus should be....sending emails to McCain requesting a Duncan Hunter presence in his administration.
I’m just jumping in here trying to catch up...is this the same crowd that was cheering Barry now cheering for McCain?
re: Ads with both answering
But Bob... they wouldn’t have the whole context (cough), hence it would be unfair to the O. You knew that.
In fact, it would be downright racist.
Ummm... what race is he again?
Leni
I agree entirely: Obama must be brought down.
Above his pay grade!?!?
I heard FNC will rebroadcast at 11e for those of us that missed it.
I became a McCain liker tonight!
No nose holding neccessary after his performance tonight!
You prefer BO over McCain?
Obama showed ease??? umm umm umm umm umm whawhawha........no
fingies and toesies crossed
that Mccain will keep this up for the actual debates
Thanks.
Candy Crowley: ‘stylistic differences’
CNN follow up panel sucks, MSNBC went to another program
He was great, showed the knowledge of experience. No hesitation, immediate good answers, I was impressed. Obama said ‘nothing at all’ in comparison to McCain!!
Panel giving both guys high points.
Duh.
Of course the panel has Ann “Barney Frank” Lewis.
Thanks for posting that. I refuse to watch MSNBC.
Sounds like they are going to have to work overtime to spin this into an Obambi victory by tomorrow morning.
When Obama says a woman has a tough choice to make about abortion it was a typical irresponsible man answer.
Essentially the line goes like this:
“What your are pregnant baby? Its not mine go get an abortion you are on your own. seeeeeeee ya!”
FNC is has the leftists looking to throw enough mud at the conservatives getting pissed off.
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