The entire transcript of the Obama-Warren and McCain-Warren interactions is now available. Congressman Chip Pickering, with whom I spoke with after the Forum, summed it up well: McCain stood head-and-shoulders above Obama in three respects: substance, experience, and depth of character. Obama noted that his opposition to the war in Iraq was not politically expedient. But I'm not sure that jives with the fact that he opposed the war in 2002, when he represented a (liberal) district on the south side of Chicago, and was preparing to run for the U.S. Senate, in which he'd compete for votes in a … [Read more...] about Saddleback Civil Forum: Post-Forum Reflections
Saddleback Civil Forum: Interviews?
Although McCain and Obama are not available, representatives of their campaigns will be available for interviews. I'm going to poke around for awhile. Did you notice that several times Warren said "great" to McCain? I think Warren was very impressed with him. My immediate reaction: A major, major win for John McCain tonight. Obama looked uncomfortable, and I think McCain hit on the themes he needed to hit. … [Read more...] about Saddleback Civil Forum: Interviews?
Saddleback Civil Forum: McCain – America’s Role in the World
WARREN: What is worth dying for? McCAIN: Freedom. We cannot right every wrong, but we can be a beacon of hope for the world. We won the cold war without firing a shot. We can defeat radical Islamic. WARREN: What about genocide -- in Darfur or Georgia? McCAIN: We need to stop genocide. We need to work with many groups to fight it. WARREN: Russia? McCAIN went off on Russia, and on the devastation being experienced by Georgians. Let' s get the humanitarian aid to Georgia and send a clear message to the Russians. WARREN: Religious liberty? McCAIN: We need to support religious … [Read more...] about Saddleback Civil Forum: McCain – America’s Role in the World
Saddleback Civil Forum: Brief Reflections on McCain
McCain's terse, to-the-point style is serving him well, it seems. But, to his discredit, he often fails to elaborate on his points. I thought his answer on how his Christian faith influences him on a regular basis was rather weak. Simply quoting a story that happened over forty years ago misses the point. OK, they're back. … [Read more...] about Saddleback Civil Forum: Brief Reflections on McCain
Saddleback Civil Forum: McCain – Stewardship
WARREN: Which Supreme Court justice would you not have nominated? McCAIN: Souter, Ginsberg, Stephens.... (named four of them). Said he likes Alito and Roberts a lot. WARREN: 80% think that faith-based groups do a better job than the government. McCAIN: No restriction to hire on the basis of faith. WARREN: We rank 19th in graduation, and 1st in incarcerations. Do you support merit pay for teachers? McCAIN: Yes, and we should find bad teachers other lines of work. Choice and competition for every American. This is a Civil Rights Issue of the 21st century. WARREN: Define the rich. … [Read more...] about Saddleback Civil Forum: McCain – Stewardship
Saddleback Civil Forum: McCain – Worldview
WARREN: What does it mean to you to be a Christian? McCAIN: It means I'm forgiven. (Told the story of the soldier who eased his pain in North Vietnam.) WARREN: At what moment is a baby entitled to human rights. McCAIN: At the moment of conception. I have a 25 year voting record that is pro-life. WARREN: Define marriage. McCAIN: One man, one woman. I think the CA Supreme Court was wrong to over-turn the Prop 22 from 2000. I think the states should decide this, but I might at some point support a Constitutional Amendment. WARREN: Stem cell research. McCAIN: I came down on the side of … [Read more...] about Saddleback Civil Forum: McCain – Worldview