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 ...
Wow, he’s actually sounding good to me. I’m weirding out here...
McCain pretty funny and likable right now...
Surge in polls???
Nice to see him say Reagan was one of our greatest presidents - then watch the crowd applaud.
I was thinking the same thing. Definitely louder.
McCain is doing great. Very sincere. Great sense of humor. Seems very honest...unliked BO.
Obama’s greatest moral failure? Drinking and drugs
McCain is goin good
Relaxed etc...
sounds clear, sincere...
Well now. There’s an upside to having Obama on first. McCain sounds pretty good. Relaxed, comfortable in himself. Good answers. Humor. Humility. Common sense.
Fantastic answer!
oh my—
I need to start drinking....
I am as nervous as a mom watchin her kid ride his bike without training wheels for the first time....
brb....
need HUGE AMOUNTS OF ALCOHOL!!
DRILL NOW
DRILL HERE. DRILL NOW. Cali-Fornia.
McCain says
Drill here, drill now!
Drill NOW, yessss
“Off Shore drilling. Drill here and drill now” The crowd loves it.
I have suffered racism from blacks, in Houston I got to think my name was honky.
Where is my money?
Take it from me...you’ll live....:-)
McCain is on message.
McCain’s doing a lot better tonight than my Jaguars.
DRILL HERE DRILL NOW
My friends.. time to drink
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