TODAY: Rev. Rick Warren puts Obama, McCain on the same stage (LIVE thread)

The Seattle Times ^ | 8/16/08 | Duke Helfand

[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...

[del4hope]

I have been saying it for weeks that her and Bubba are not going quietly. Tonight sealed it. The convention is hers......

[hsalaw]

DU is soooooo predictable. The third post in claims McCain must have gotten the questions beforehand.

[rdl6989]

I’m watching it again. It’s even more lopsided the second time around
http://www.c-span.org/Watch/C-SPAN_wm.aspx

[Tennessee Nana]

Wasnt he great...

Wish he wasnt the AMNESTY Bill Ambassador

[Son House]

Some links post earlier, I’ve been watching it on tv, so I can’t help much, on FOXNEWS right now,

McCain, “a pro-American President of France”

the audience liked it, so damning for Jack Chirac (and his Democrat Allies)

[Norman Bates]

Ambush? I think it’s official: Mac crushed Obama.

[SilvieWaldorfMD]

I’m going to be making a quick trip to the liquour store next week — stockpiling on my Miller Light Genuine Draft beverages..... this is gonna be FUN FUN FUN!!!

[Tennessee Nana]

Toss it over here...

a thread on the many shades of Obamas hair would be fun

LOL

[icwhatudo]

Looks like its out there already:

http://blog.photoshelter.com/2008/08/calling-in-the-experts-whats-up-with-obamas-hair.html

[MHGinTN]

If I had your address I would send you some bags of Cheesy PUFFS ... ;-)

I've got the popcorn concession covered though

[txhurl]

He shaves and implants his eyebrows according to demograpy, too.

[del4hope]

Live Thread, nightly??? I did not join FR until 2005, so it will be my first conventions as a FReeper. If only I had know about FR before then.

[Tennessee Nana]

When is a baby entitled to human rights

McCain: at the moment of conception

YEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS

[longtermmemmory]

The DUmies argue from the point of obama was walking on water and anything other that full forward presenting prostration is bias to the right.

[Tennessee Nana]

Blood Bath nightly

:)

[txhurl]

Whiter shade of pale lol

[Earthdweller]

Me too...

[DesScorp]

“Let’s help ourselves and send some help”

Just sent another check this week, and the bumper stickers are on my family’s vehicles.

[MHGinTN]

That was a savvy quick answer ... no need to nuance in a forum where no indepth discussion or rebuttal can be made. We know how the marxist media will spin that though ...

[cousineasy]

On when life begins, Obama should have given the true democratic position, “The night of the prom.” Off topic, I have some advice for all freepers. I live in Martha’s district and his republican rival has no chance. Don't waste money on a guy who won't get 40% of the vote. He has a better chance of getting a french kiss from the statue of liberty than beating corrupt John. Murtha will leave when he assumes room temperature, no sooner.