The Verdict on the Saddleback Forum

As a man who seeks peace and God's understanding, I found that Obama's approach to the questions to be more insightful and carefully worded than McCain's. I also found that McCain will rather see American lives lost in war that try to find other solutions to the tragic events of the world.

McCain even said the the office of the President is a "Bully Office" and I have found that to be a very dangerous stand to take that makes more foes than friends. We need a President that can act as a mediator and a mentor rather than "big, mean daddy with a switch.

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".

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 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