God-o-Meter caught up with someone very close to the Obama campaign and its faith outreach effort late this week and asked about the campaign’s thinking going into this Saturday’s Saddleback candidate forum. On background, here’s what it was told:
The most important factor coming into Saddleback is Senator Obama’s level of comfort in forums like these. He’s comfortable talking about faith and values, from 2006′s Call to Renewal speech to getting together with Rick Warren to the Messiah College faith forum, to discussing faith-based initiatives to many other large and small events. He’s taken on tough values issues and talks very clearly and honestly about his personal values. So you’re going to see him very comfortable and relaxed. This is not the sort of thing that you have to brief him deeply on.
Now, this person never mentioned John McCain. But can’t you see his name in every sentence nonetheless? The most important factor… is Senator Obama’s level of comfort in forums like these. That’s a reminder that McCain hasn’t participated in any such forums, at least not big public ones like June 2007′s Sojourners forum or April’s Messiah College Compassion Forum. He’s comfortable talking about faith. That’s a reminder that McCain is uncomfortable talking about his. He’s taken on tough values issues. A reminder that McCain rarely discusses values issues. When’s the last time you heard him speak, unprompted, about abortion or gay marriage?
It’s obvious, in other words, that the Obama camp is hoping tomorrow night will be a study in contrasts, wherein Obama will look right at home next to Pastor Rick while McCain dabs beads of sweat off his forehead. That would be quite the turnabout from 2004, when Rick Warren was more or less campaigning for President Bush and was basically ignored by John Kerry (until after the campaign, when Kerry finally picked up the phone to call).
God-o-Meter’s not saying that’s what will happen tomorrow, mind you. But McCain’s performance tomorrow, and how it looks next to Obama’s, is the big question mark. There’s little doubt that Obama will be in his comfort zone. The question is whether McCain will join him there.
9
posted August 15, 2008 at 6:45 pm
I hope that McCain and Obama get equal time and that they both speak with clarity. I hope that Rick Warren is fair and impartial, he wasn’t with the Bush/Kerry campaign. I will be listening very carefully to the questions as well to the responses.
What we need is a Purpose Driven Government instead of the Chaos Driven one we have now.
posted August 16, 2008 at 10:06 am
It IS funny how many times something about McCain is supposed to be inferred in statements where McCain is never mentioned…
So, if I am running against someone and I say I’m for Mom and apple pie, this automatically means (even when I don’t so much as mention my opposition’s name) my opponent is not?
Not only is McCain’s name not so much as mentioned, there’s not even an inference that ONLY Obama has these qualities. Unless, again, any time a candidate says they have something, or think something, or do something, it is to be automatically assumed their opposition does not.
Odd how this particular theory is never played out with McCain’s statements. Only Obama.
Is it so expected that each is supposed to insult the other that, even when it doesn’t happen, it is necessary to make it up?
posted August 16, 2008 at 11:59 am
What I admire so much about Obama is his reflective self-awareness. This is such an obvious trait in all his writings, especially Dreams of my Father (which if you haven’t read yet, please do). On the other hand, McCain states in his book that he’s not one for self-reflection… just hasn’t had time for it.
How can you know what your faith is, and have that reflected in your actions, if you haven’t even started the journey?
posted August 17, 2008 at 10:27 am
As an attendee of Saddleback’s forum last night, I think it was quite clear who won: McCain. So much for predicting that Obama would be more comfortable in such an arena. Clearly McCain was able to answer decisively and with conviction (like a leader should).
Obama on the other hand, acted more like a philosopher than a leader. When asked when life starts he said that was “above his pay grade.” Very interesting. I think Obama should return to the University of Chicago where he can talk philosophy and teach theoretical law if he really thinks answering faith questions is so difficult.
How the media is spinning Obama as “nuanced” looked like confusion and squirming to me– and I was there. I like Obama and I think he is a nice guy, but we need experience and maturity, so only McCain will do.
posted August 17, 2008 at 11:48 am
Obama did not look “Squirming” Stephanie. I agree with you that he did not give the knee jerk “right” answers that many Evangelicals seem to want. He actually tried to give his personal deep feelings some voice.
He tried to explain his feelings on pro choice even if he knew he would face opposition from this group.
On the other hand, adulterous, untruthful and war mongering McCain, spouted the usual “pat the doggy on the head” platitudes – WAR, DEFEAT EVIL, DROP A FEW JOKES.
I too thought John McCain had a better night than OBAMA…but simply because in MY OPINION, he did what was politically expedient…Sadly, this is all about the dumbing down of AMERICA. YOU ARE 19th in EDUCATION. YOU NEED CATCH PHRASES TO UNDERSTAND. OR ANECDOTES. A sentence which includes a colon or semi colon is too long…thank you MULTIPLE CHOICE TESTS!!
Obama is much more clever than you give him credit for…
While McCain pandered to the immediate audience – who according to polls will be voting for him anyway – OBAMA made sure that the wider public understood his position on a WIDE variety of issues including DIPLOMACY vs WAR – tolerance vs hatred or inquisition- you’ll see, GOD will make this work for OBAMA, because he played by the RULES!!