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 ...
Drink gin or drive ????
Damn! McCain is on FIRE!!!!!!
Not the same crowd?
McCain is dead on message!!!!! And to think we were all McCain haters in the primary. Still would have preferred Huckabee. But I will take Romney as a VP candidate now too.
Pro-USA pres of France
Yes
Too many uhs, and the comments about abortion being “above my pay grade”
very bad judgment; healthy, normal pregnancies should not be aborted, Barak
Did Obama receive this much spontaneous applause?
I hope so, too.
He’s talking about his POW experience - refusing to be sent home early. Very powerful stuff.
JD, I think you’ll find when you read the transcript that the questions are pretty much the same.
McCain comes across sincere, he will win.
He's getting really good audience response.
Wow, I don't like him, but he's really sounding good.
W00t! Drill Here Drill NOW! re: “flip flop” on an issue! He’s really doing well with this format...
Grab a beer and get back quick!
:)
MOgirl
His POW decision gets me misty-eyed I have to admit...
He is definately the better candidate to be CIC
“It took a lot of prayer”
Character.
What was O’s toughest decision?? I can’t remember anything he said now.
Code of Conduct
yes mention Vietnam
POW
Honor
God Bless you John McCain...
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