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 ...
I don’t know, couldn’t get home in time. This rebroadcast may be edited, that’s why we’re asking.
I’m very impressed with Senator McCain tonight.
Prayers to the Lord for wisdom for Dr. Keyes. I believe the Lord answered my prayers by making the distinction between Obama and Senator McCain so distinct, tonight. Perhaps Dr. Keyes will decide that helping a man who believes that life begins at conception to win the Presidency is honorable and better than making his stand here and now.
Wes Clark wont like that
Obama says he worked with McCain..........
February 6, 2006
The Honorable Barack Obama
United States Senate
SH-713
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Obama:
I would like to apologize to you for assuming that your private assurances to me regarding your desire to cooperate in our efforts to negotiate bipartisan lobbying reform legislation were sincere. When you approached me and insisted that despite your leadership’s preference to use the issue to gain a political advantage in the 2006 elections, you were personally committed to achieving a result that would reflect credit on the entire Senate and offer the country a better example of political leadership, I concluded your professed concern for the institution and the public interest was genuine and admirable. Thank you for disabusing me of such notions with your letter to me dated February 2, 2006, which explained your decision to withdraw from our bipartisan discussions. I’m embarrassed to admit that after all these years in politics I failed to interpret your previous assurances as typical rhetorical gloss routinely used in politics to make self-interested partisan posturing appear more noble. Again, sorry for the confusion, but please be assured I won’t make the same mistake again.
As you know, the Majority Leader has asked Chairman Collins to hold hearings and mark up a bill for floor consideration in early March. I fully support such timely action and I am confident that, together with Senator Lieberman, the Committee on Governmental Affairs will report out a meaningful, bipartisan bill.
You commented in your letter about my “interest in creating a task force to further study” this issue, as if to suggest I support delaying the consideration of much-needed reforms rather than allowing the committees of jurisdiction to hold hearings on the matter. Nothing could be further from the truth. The timely findings of a bipartisan working group could be very helpful to the committee in formulating legislation that will be reported to the full Senate. Since you are new to the Senate, you may not be aware of the fact that I have always supported fully the regular committee and legislative process in the Senate, and routinely urge Committee Chairmen to hold hearings on important issues. In fact, I urged Senator Collins to schedule a hearing upon the Senate’s return in January.
Furthermore, I have consistently maintained that any lobbying reform proposal be bipartisan. The bill Senators Joe Lieberman and Bill Nelson and I have introduced is evidence of that commitment as is my insistence that members of both parties be included in meetings to develop the legislation that will ultimately be considered on the Senate floor. As I explained in a recent letter to Senator Reid, and have publicly said many times, the American people do not see this as just a Republican problem or just a Democratic problem. They see it as yet another run-of-the-mill Washington scandal, and they expect it will generate just another round of partisan gamesmanship and posturing. Senator Lieberman and I, and many other members of this body, hope to exceed the public’s low expectations. We view this as an opportunity to bring transparency and accountability to the Congress, and, most importantly, to show the public that both parties will work together to address our failings.
As I noted, I initially believed you shared that goal. But I understand how important the opportunity to lead your party’s effort to exploit this issue must seem to a freshman Senator, and I hold no hard feelings over your earlier disingenuousness. Again, I have been around long enough to appreciate that in politics the public interest isn’t always a priority for every one of us. Good luck to you, Senator.
Sincerely,
John McCain
United States Senate
GOLD!!
Obama belly-aches about his difficult youth, his Grandparents helped raise him, he better count his lucky stars
Obama ‘we don’t abide by that principle’
what ever you do for the least of my brother that you do for me
.
No Obama, Republicans and Conservatives far out pace
Democrats and liberals when it come to giving.
You are hanging out with the wrong crowd, again
so far no edit, same thing.
I would like to know who dreams up the figures and perhaps they need to switch brands.
Also sad were the excuses they made for Barry tonight.
What, a 40s yr old can’t take on a 71 yr old.
I knew he couldn’t
Another Gold, Phelps just took Spitz's record. We now return you to your live thread...
It’s amazing how monotone BO sounds...blah.
The 71 year old ran circles around Obama....with both energy and passion.
Looks like the FoxNews rebroadcast is IDENTICAL to the Live one on FoxNews. I didn’t watch CSPAN.
Just started little over 10 min ago, you can still catch the best parts and the McCain interview in full.
McCAIN KICKED >OBAMA'S< BUTT TONIGHT.
Amazing!
**...”Obama Says Pointed Abortion Query Above His Pay Grade”**
Gee, what does he think priests and ministers are paid? What a hoot. Dumb answer.
Fox is replaying it right now.
Do you think that all those who fought for the South in the Civil War were “pro slavery”? You might consider the importance of FREEDOM of choice (even if it is a wrong choice). You also might consider the harm done to the political environment when you make an issue so divisive as this the determining factor of an election. The result will be a loss of conservative influence.
Very, very cool!
Another great anchor leg by Jason Lezak! Congrats to some fine young Americans in Chinese water!
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