I thought Obama was very good. He spoke about his faith in a humble, convincing, personal way. He showed himselt to be neither Muslim nor a black liberation theologist (as James Dobson put it). His abortion answer was okay. His answers about welfare reform (admitting he was wrong), Iraq (casting it as an anguished decision) were both strong.
But McCain was spectacular. His sharp, direct answers were dramatic, compelling and, in hindsight, made Obama seem overly nuanced and qualified. He used his POW stories brilliantly, whacked Islamic terrorism, hit abortion hard, and gave evangelicals great cause to embrace him more enthusiastically.
To me the main reason evangelicals havent cottened to McCain has less to do with him than the Republican Party and the Iraq war. If Obama makes any headway with evangelicals it will be because of that. If Obama gains from this evening, it will be because he's been sufficiently demonized that the man who showed up tonight (moderate-sounding, reasonable, humble) contrasted so dramatically with the caricature of him as a Muslim, elistist, black radical.
The other big winner was Rick Warren. His questions were so much better than what the journalists normally ask. I particularly liked when he acknowleged that we wanted politicians who change their minds sometimes. What a contrast with the pundits who focus entirely on flip-flop gotcha games. He did not ask about favorite bible versus, focusing instead on probing questions about their values, influences and leadership styles. This debate enhances his stature, too.
Add to Del.icio.us
Add to Technorati
Add to Digg
Add to Newsvine
Add to Facebook
Add to StumbleUpon
Subscribe
I watched the interview of Obama and McCain at Saddleback last night on CNN with great interest. I was struck by the profound differences between the two.
Obama had these long rambling answers that were short on detail. McCain on the other hand had short, concise, clearly understandable answers... to the point that Rick Warren made a comment to him that they would have so much time left over that they could play a round or two of Poker. Was a funny moment.
I will admit that I support McCain. He's about as "liberal" as a Republican can get and he has a long tradition of voting against his own party in the National Interests of the people.
For Obama, his most gut wrenching decision of his life was opposition to the War in Iraq. For John McCain it was choosing to stay in Vietnam when he was offered to be released - and then enduring three more years of torture.
For Obama, his greatest moral failure is his "selfishness" where John McCain he very specifically said that he most regretted the failure of his first marriage and recognized that he had a huge role to play in it failing.
John McCain didn't have to nuance his answers because he's a moderate. Obama had to not be clear because he's trying to take on a mantle that will appeal to a Christian audience but he has the most liberal voting record of any Senator.
Worse, Obama flat out lied in at least one instance - when asked about abortion. Obama said he's pro-choice but feels late term abortions should be done only to save a woman's life. Yet he's been rated as a 100% pro abortion voter in everything that has been put before him including *voting against banning* partial birth abortions in 2007. I myself have a very nuanced view of this issue but I HATE the fact that Obama flat out lied. It disturbs me.
If you want to dive into Obama's voting record to understand just how far left leaning he really is - visit http:/ / w w w . o n t h e i s s u e s . o r g/senate/Barack_Obama . htm Of course you can see McCain's record there as well.
If you want to read a transcript of the "debate" you can visit http://w w w . r i c k w a r r e n n e w s . c o m /transcript/
Now, as to the previous commenters - while I respect your opinions a couple of points from a different perspective:
1) If you read John McCain's answers on domestic policies and energy you realize that in the short term and long run McCain's positions are much better for the economy as a whole. John McCain understands that you can't tax a nation when it is having difficulties... instead you need to cut pork spending - something that John McCain has *never* participated in. Obama's proposals are extreme and would result in a much bigger government. By the way, the "rich" that Obama wants to tax are the same group of people who are also the largest charitable givers. During this period of low taxes, charitable giving has gone up. It is a proven fact that when governments raise taxes, charitable giving goes down... and the end result is that services to the poor and needy actually decrease because the government is not the answer to poverty... we the people are the answer.
2) To the poster who said McCain said the Presidency was a "Bully Office" you misunderstood him. He said he would use the power of the "Bully Pulpit". If you check Wikipedia you will understand what the term "Bully Pulpit" means. A bully pulpit is a public office of high rank that provides the holder with an opportunity to speak out and be listened to on any matter. The bully pulpit can bring issues forward that were not initially in debate, due to the office's stature and publicity. The term was first used by President Teddy Roosevelt because he found the office of the President to be a platform to advocate an agenda. In his day, Roosevelt used the word "bully" as the English did - a word that means "wonderful". So, when you think about it, the President's podium is a pulpit - but one that can reach out to millions - not just a Sunday congregation. It is truly a "wonderful pulpit". It has *nothing* to do with the word bully in the sense of "a harasser".
Honestly, I thought Rick Warren's questions were wonderful!!! I was very happy to hear Sen. Obama talk and focus on others, He was humble and a good servant to the lord and to the least among us. Unfortunately Senator McCain focused on himself and his pain and glory much of the time.
From the reactions I've been reading on other blogs all around the internet, it seems that, while many people liked McCain's performance last night, many undecided Christians tended to come away from this with more respect for the way Obama handled the evening, whether or not they agreed with certain of his beliefs. The general feeling seems to be that he presented himself more honestly and openly, as more a true Christian whose life is led by Jesus and Scripture, with a greater sense of empathy and for justice and mercy, whereas McCain gave set stump-speech answers, knew exactly what he wanted to get across to this audience -- often going against what Rick Warren was asking -- and that he came across as a rigid war-monger, an old warrior whose faith had been tested, to be sure, as a POW, but seemed to play no other discernible role in his life.
Mccain had come prepared; he was prepped up pretty well; the legendary republican machine is doing its job well behind its scene. I am not so sure that Mccain was sincerely speaking from the depths of his heart; and he put his views frankly on the table. Which is ok, since he is a liebral republican:). His answers were too perfect and well oriented towards this particular audience. It is worth mentioning that the questions had been given to the candidates ahead of time ! Remember the line ... " I cheated a little bit..." on the Orphans question.
mccain had the perfect answer---was he sincerely--no---what happen to the keating five,his wife money kept him from prison. he is such a liar .thanks obama for keeping it truthful.to the saddleback church and leader you are not God ,hope you make 50 mils on your book
Post a Comment
By submitting these comments, I agree to the beliefnet.com terms of service, rules of conduct and privacy policy (the "agreements"). I understand and agree that any content I post is licensed to beliefnet.com and may be used by beliefnet.com in accordance with the agreements.