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 ...
No wonder Obambi is scared to hold Town Hall meetings with him.
Hardest decision- McCain knocked that one out of the park - not cooperating with his captors in vietnam. Meanwhile, Barry was boozing it up and “discovering himself” and dealing with all the difficulty of being biracial. Hmmm.
I'll say it for him: "HOME RUN!"
Heck, I have been called a cracker in my own town and I don't remember getting paid for that (but it didn't bother me either). I just remember they are the stupid ones and will never do anything more than putting an X on a government check.
Code of Conduct
yes mention Vietnam
POW
Honor
God Bless you John McCain...
It is going to be one heck of a landslide.
McCain: It took a lot of prayer, it took a lot of prayer.
Warren: Great.
WTF?!
McCain makes Obama seem as if he is running for class president.
McCain does not appear nervous, while Barry was messing his pants.
Does anyone else think the DBM has already submitted their stories for print..
Anyone else think Warren’s enthusiasm has dimmed? He looked a little troubled as they went to commercial.
It is great McCain followed Obama .. Obama was so boring. and McCain is doing great. McCain also has his many life experiences to draw off of.
Hiccups
He’s making sense-sounds way better than Obama and only
said “My friends three times in 15 minutes.
I didn’t watch Obama. How is McCain doing vs Obama?
See #835...I have to agree with you, that alone is reason enough to vote for him over BHO...this guy KNOWS what it is to have sacrificed for his country.
No question about it.
Humans are pregnant with human beings, not frogs, fish, turtles, dolphins, seals.
The child grows, hence it lives.
Go try to kill a seal or a tree down... see what happens.
If only a fetus could vote.
We are all at this moment looking at the next President of the United States.
is it just me—
^^^^^
McCain is showing the audience how an actual leader can articulate his ideas versus the kid from Chicago - you know, - the Law School Professor!!
Thinkin Michelle went berserk and is out of it! Something is seriously wrong with The Moron Mess-iah and he looks like he is fighting serious depressional problems.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.