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 ...
Hardest decision - to stay in Vietnam and abide by the “Code of Honor” instead of go home -
HOME RUN!! My gosh, he’s winning over my MOM!
I never thought I would say this, but I’m feeling pretty good about McCain. He’s doing very well compared to Obama.
The stuttering doofus that is Barack scares the heck out of me.
McCain at his very best. The POW story and his regrets about his first marriage are enough to bring tears to even my old crusty eyes.
At least McCain said Drill Here Drill Now!!!!
He lost me a little when he added in the greenhouse gas comment though
_________________________________
But Obama has gas too now
LOL
It’s obvious why Obama will not “debate” McCain in an open, free-wheeling forum.
..I think Warren’s politics are pretty clear IMO—his candidate is no longer on stage...
Damn! This is one McCain interview I don’t want to miss. Doing great so far. Good thing the olympics is on boring running right now...
Yes he did.
Lamentations on his yoot.
Obama is dripping with masculinity in that photo you have there!
So you are allowed on the computer tonight
OBAMA: "Smarmy."
McCain: "Straightforward."
(or "straight-shooter")
re: cheating, Obama meant that he read up on Warren before this forum like you’d read up on an employer before going to your job interview with that employer, and learned that Warren is heavily involved in the issue of adoption, and expected to be asked about and prepared for adoption issues as a result: http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070509/rick-warren-steven-curtis-chapman-promote-biblical-orphan-care.htm
Well, I wouldn't do the second after doing the first :)
Cheers,
O’s toughest decision??
opposing Iraq war
Obama stuttered for an Hour and looked like a Mortician.
If we were invaded by aliens that is space aliens he might go to war, you know the kind that have to eat human bodies because they have run out of food on their planet. That is the only way I think Obama would initiate military action.
WELL WE ALL KNOW WHY OBAMA DIDNT WANT TOWNHALLS
Ity’s such a home run it’s heading down Waveland Avenue — it’s still airborne!
My God!!! McCain is blowing Berry right out of the water!!!!!!!
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