No harm, no foul. Obama ventures into hostile territory

[cali]

and manages it without any grave injury. BUT... it's frustrating as hell that McCain doesn't have an equal challenge.

I wish Obama hadn't had to do the Saddleback Forum, but I get that he didn't have much of a choice. He did just fine, and in the long run this appearance is pretty meaningless- it won't change anything about the election. We all know that white evangelicals are one of the cornerstones of the repub party. That isn't about to change significantly. Obama will probably pick up about the same number of evangelicals as Kerry did.

Last night's forum won't change anything.

I still wish it hadn't happened.

[searchingforlight]

1. I am glad this one was first and is out of the way.

Obama navigated a minefield and survived. He may not have pandered to them but he gave them thoughtful answers and should have put most of their fears of his faith behind them. He still has positions on the issues on his side. McCain gave them everything they wanted but substance. They are either too smart to fall for it or too dumb to have brought their brains with them

[kevinmc]

2. He won't change any Right Wing Votes, might pick up some Independents....

he did what he had to do. It should help him.

[DinahMoeHum]

3. Obama doesn't need ALL the evangelical votes, just enough to put a dent

in the myth of Repuke lock on religion.

:kick:

[KharmaTrain]

4. It's Dividing The Fundie Egos...

I am with you on this...being Jewish, I was creeped out at watching what I could tolerate. The onus was on Senator Obama to "prove" his morality while Gramps was assumed to be "moral" cause he's a Repugnican. It's a game the corporate media has imposed as they know how divisive religion is and anything that polarizes means ratings and money. Also makes them look "pious" as they can pontificate, literally.

The backstory is the split within fundieland developing between the Dobsons and old guard "dollar-a-hollar" preachers vs. the "upstart" Warren who managed to shove the old farts aside an is now a "player". They're seeing millions of "their" "donations" going to him...also their political clout. Gone are the private meetings in the Oval Office and millions in "faith based" federal money. They see Warren as a bigger threat than Obama.

[stray cat]

5. I thought Obama seemed much more human, thoughtful, and humble than McCain

[Canuckistanian]

6. I'd like to see an economic forum

Where Obama can show that he's NOT raising taxes on lower and middle income earners.

And also point out that McCain is planning to CONTINUE to disastrous policies of Bush, from outsourcing to massive tax breaks for oil companies.

THAT would be hostile territory for McCain.

[warrior1]

7. The difference between the two

Obama spoke to the nation and mccain to the paying audience.

Obama won.

[Generic Brad]

8. Perhaps the NAACP needs to sponsor a forum

They can ask McCain why he opposed Martin Luther King Jr Day for so long.

[Ramjet]

9. McCain will probably get a bump from Saddleback....

"He (Obama) did just fine, and in the long run this appearance is pretty meaningless-"

Wish it were so, but I fear that McCain will use his "performance" at Saddleback to get more money, and launch into tougher rhetoric.

which is exactly what the whacko fundies are waiting for.

Also, the TV anchor pundits would have declared Obama to have done much better if McCain spoke first, and Obama last.

Why? The last person to speak always seems to get the benefit of the doubt. Obama's down tempo would have been a soothing contrast to McCain's intense take-no-prisoner answers.

With Obama going first, it looked like Obama was wishy washy, and McCain was direct.

As much as I support Obama, I have to be honest with the way it looked.

Bottom line: NO MORE 'debates' moderated by Rick Warren or any other Republican... EVER!

[depakid]

10. How about they both appear at an environmental forum

That'll be the day....