This forum was a bunch of bullshit! It was about McCain shoring up the evangelical vote! That's it

[Blue_Roses]

Even though Saddleback Church says it doesn't affiliate with any denomination, it does affiliate with the Southern Baptist Convention by-laws which is the most conservative baptist denominations.

"...Saddleback recognizes the benefits of cooperation with other churches in world missions, and voluntarily affiliates with the Southern Baptist Convention in its national, state and local expressions."http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saddleback_Church



This was nothing more than a stage to shore up the evangelical vote for McCain. Since evangelicals have not been even "luke-warm" to their GOP candidate, they thought this would be the way to do it.

Remember James Dobson said he didn't like either candidate. Well, look here at what James Dobson NOW is saying:

"Word of the forum came as a leading conservative Christian, James C. Dobson, signaled that he might reverse his position and endorse Mr. McCain, The Associated Press reported.

“I never thought I would hear myself saying this,” Mr. Dobson, chairman of Focus on the Family, said for radio broadcast on Monday. “While I am not endorsing Senator John McCain, the possibility is there that I might.”

more...


http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/21/us/politics/21church.html


Obama did great, especially considering the forum was biased AGAINST his policies and principles to begin with. A conservative, right-wing, fundie church like Saddleback is NOT going to listen with an open mind to Democratic policies. Period.

This was really just a chance for the fundies to feel all warm and fuzzy about McCain--but ironically, Obama looked like the true Christian:)

[Median Democrat]

1. McCain Is Walking Talking Point - Confirms He Is Just Another Neocon

We just had 8 years of government where answer and enemies are black and white. For example, McCain and tax cuts, evil, and abortion. Of course, McCain answers are easy to deliver, because they are not merely simple, they are simplistic.

What is rich?

McCain - $5 million. He wants to cut taxes and cut spending. However, what about defense spending? Infrastructure? Does not like class warfare.
Obama - $250K. He wants a fairer tax code. We need to pay down deficit, and fund infratruture spending and pay all these military costs.

Education?

McCain - Vouchers and school choice, and get rid of bad teachers. However, no discussion of how to fund schools. Also, what about people who still can't afford private school with vouchers. Also, how do you identify "bad teachers"? Does not appear like he supports more funding of public schools.

Obama - Supports merit pay and higher teacher salaries. Willing to work with teachers to form standards for merit pay.

Evil?

McCain - He will defeat evil. Muslim extremists are evil, and he will beat them in Iraq. He will chase Bin Ladin to gates of hell.
Obama - Evil is everywhere, in Darfur, and even in the U.S., and US must confront it, but with the humility that gives awareness of our limitations.

Abortion?

McCain - Right to life. Next question.
Obama - Pro-Choice, but wants to work to reduce numbers of unwanted pregnancies. States that women do not make decision to have an abortion lightly.

In other words, McCain is a walking talking point. However, if you ask him to explain the logical consequences of his answers, he looks befuddled.

[gateley]

Excellent comparison. One is smart, thoughtful, aware. The other just

doesn't get it.

[Blue_Roses]

7. it was so predictable that it could have been a commercial

McCain is just an old fart. He's pandering because the man voted for the very Supreme Court Justices he said he would get rid of!?!:crazy:

[cliffordu]

2. Now that we're done with the fundie reach-around can we get back to the

ECONOMY, the WAR, the HOUSING thingy, the WAR CRIMES??????

I get sick of the special interests dominating these forums....

The MSM is right wing propaganda, lock stock and barrel.

[gateley]

6. THESE are the issues that matter to that voting bloc. And it's a big voice.

We can't make them care if they refuse to take off their blinders. We have do do what we can with them.

That being said, I'm sickened by what I saw tonight.

[Alameda]

3. I thought McCain used it as a campaign

tool. I was disappointed he was not stopped when he went off on what were campaign talking points.....argh:argh: :banghead:

[KaryninMiami]

4. And McShame did just that- he reaffirmed the votes of right wing evangelicals-

but Obama was never going to get those votes anyway, remember? He clearly distanced himself from any of the more mainstream evengelical Christians some of whom are pro-choice and against the war. Also hurting from the economy. All Obama needed was to move the needle just a bit from this. I think it's possible he did that.

[Blue_Roses]

10. very true. Obama isn't going to get the fundie vote.

I know that first hand from my fundie brother-in-law.:eyes: This was the type of questioning that put his mind at ease with McCain. Nothing more.

[K8-EEE]

5. Yep!

Them religious rightwingers are nuthin' if not gullible and easily distracted by cheap theatrics.

Personally the whole idea of this forum and that Rick Warren guy, blech.

[OmahaBlueDog]

8. Let's look at this a different way

Democrats in general have a low standing with the Evangelical crowd. Obama needed to establish (and will need to repeat, again and again) that he is a Christian, that he is well versed with the Bible, and that his faith guides his thinking. I think he established that.

McSame has had a rocky history with this group. It's not enough for him to parrot the party line (which he did); he has to convince these folks he really will make their agenda a priority. That's easier said than done at this point -- Conservative Christians have supported Republicans since Reagan, yet abortion is still legal, pornography is still legal, prayer is still banned from school, same-sex marriage is legal in 2 states, and they still don't have vouchers or tuition tax credits. These folks increasingly need to be convinced that they'll get more than lip service -- otherwise, they'll stay home or vote Bob Barr.

[Blue_Roses]

11. well said!

:applause:

thanks:)

[IndianaGreen]

9. These are nothing more than holier-than-thou homophobes and misogynists

Nothing like using GAWD to justify bigotry, just as the Bible-thumpers used religion as justification for segregation.

[quakerboy]

12. If it had been the ACLU

and McCain had done half as well as Obama did tonight, strip clubs all across America would be jam packed full of celebrating evangelical leadership right this minute.

Given an inimical audience, Obama did very well.