The polls are mis-leading! A huge number of Obama supporters use cell phones and can't be polled. As far as McCains proformance on Sat. night, he clearly is a man that believes he has all the answers and his is the only right answere! Obama respects that other opinions are also valid. Obama thinks about all sides of an issue and seeks a compromise. Thats what a true leader should do. Its McCain's way or no way..God help us should he wins because fighting back in his mind has only one goal, win! The ramifications , an after thought! Also, that cross in the sand scene first appeared in Ben Hurr. He plagerised that story!

No David I do not think that the tide is turning in Senator McCain's favor. Look at the land mine of things they were discussing abortion, among other things that were right in line with what Senator McCain believes in. Of course, you would expect him to excel because his beliefs are more closely aligned with the evangicals – at least with the older ones. In addition to the above, Senator McCain was supposedly in the "cone of silence" but according to a CNN storyline he did not arrive there at the site until 30 minutes into Senator Obama's interview. I guess some people saw it as personable that Senator McCain was telling jokes, and telling his war stories but for me it was more distracting than helpful. Everything that he said we already knew about him from him being out on the campaign stump.

Who vetted obama, and when?

David,
The tide has been turning in McCain's favor for a while now. It's about time that the press realized what the American people already have. With this forum McCain just showed exactly what he is ...a very formidable candidate that Obama will in no way walk all over. In fact he answered the questions way more eloquently than Obama. I can see now why Obama will not do town hall meetings with McCain. He'd blow him out of the water! Obama is all talk with very little substance to back it up, this forum showed that in spades!

Cindy...Ga.

The whole event was very inappropriate. The questions asked were inappropriate and irrelevant. Asking the candidates about their relationship with Christ is invasion of private personal beliefs. Furthermore, having the forum in a conservative religious environment is a death trap for the candidate who has liberal views. Religion should have no place in politics. Who decides if Christianity is the religion that should be thrown into the pot of politics? Why couldn't it have been Islam or whatever?

I thought it was awful and was only done to make John McCain look good. But he actually looked stupid saying that he believes marriage is for one man and one woman. In his case, one woman right after another. And apparently he believes in cheating and leaving the wife is she's no longer attractive.

McCain is a centrist candidate. Obama will not be able to move to the center to effectively challenge him in the center. Obama has won the far left which has no politcal allies. The lesson learned from this election may be that winning a primary from the extreme wing of the party sets up a disaster in the general. I feel for the African-American bloc in that they are stuck with the far left on this one. What a shame.

I hope the media looks further into the disclosure that McCain was not in that cone of silence when the Obama q and a began. Not only did he have an opporturnity to listen, but his staff would have had blackberries, etc to pick up what was going on and advising him. That means the Forum totally lacks credibility and I am shocked that Pastor Warren did not check things out before beginning the session with Obama. He should have made sure everything was on the up and up. If the media lets this go without a full investigation and without full disclosure to the public, that would be a travesty to the political process. Cheating and lying go to the heart of one's character and it is already known McCain cheated and lied in his first marriage so it is not impossible he would do it again. I would hope this new information on the cone of silence would alter Mr. Gergen's assessment of the performances.

Well Cindy, I guess you're one of the 19% of people that thinks Bush is doing a good job. Seven years of Republican rule was enough for me! I'm one American that really doesn't like being tortured. We're being tortured just as much as the folks in Guantanamo. And as far as the town halls go, Obama, and everyone else can see right through that. They pick and choose who will attend these so-called town hall meetings, and the news media has reported that many times. I know they wouldn't want me to be at one, as angry as I am.

David – Having watched McCain in a number of forums, I was kind of amazed at how he managed to so quickly come up with answers to the questions and how the answers just seemed to fit with the message the Republican "base" likes to hear. It almost seemed that he was reading from a script. Now we know why.

I'm not sure if CNN or Rick Warren is to blame for not realizing that McCain was not only not in the "cone of silence", as Rick Warren stated at the beginning of Obama's interview. He wasn't even in the building. And of course, with Karl Rove protege's in charge, I'm sure no one associated with the campaign listened and helped McCain come up with the answers.

I can understand why some people will think McCain did better than Obama b/c he went straight to the point on most of the topics which also leads me to believe that he knew the questions ahead of time but it still didn't change my opinion of him. I still don't know anything about him other than he was a POW about 100 yrs ago but what about NOW! He still seems out of touch with most of the issues facing Americans today. Obama gave answers that was about the question asked but McCain answers didn't relate to the question. All of his answers came back to his days as a POW and National Security which is straight out of the GOP handbook. Let's make everyboday scared and they will vote for us.

Well this forum showed one........... everybody gets atleast 15 minutes of fame... Warren... two... Obama answered the questions..no long drawn out stories of infidelity...... an things that happened over 40 years ago........... this forum did not show much, except.... a cone of silence.. means you hear the questions before you are asked.

David,

I thought Obama was equivocating and evasive. McCain seemed more like the straight talker of 2000. If the same two men show up at the debates, Obama will lose big time. you are absolutely right about the tide turning. The latest PEW poll shows Obama with a 3 point lead. that's down from 8 points in June and 5 points in July. It was also taken before the Georgia crisis, and Saddleback, two events Mccain has done well at. Why has the MSM ignored the tightening race?

First of all, let's be more honest than the McCain camp has been (yes, I'm willing to call them out on this) – McCain knew every single question ahead of time and heard every single one of Obama's answers. Period. I do not believe for a moment that "they heard nothing". So much for the indignation expressed by the McCain camp that Obama would "do anything" to win an election. And the questions themselves, as well as the audience, were skewed to favor conservative responses. I had heard Pastor Warren, ahead of time, state (himself) that he wasn't going to focus on 'wedge' issues. The end result certainly seemed like he did exactly what he said he wouldn't do!

I do not want four more years of a President who will continue to subsidize the rich getting richer at the expense of the middle class (and the poor), a President who blindly supports an unprovoked invasion of a sovereign nation, a President who will surely go to war with a highly unstable (and potentially nuclear) country like Iran, a President who has no concept that a "voucher" based education system does nothing to improve the schools most in need, etc, etc, etc.

I just can't even begin to imagine that at the end of the day – when people are standing in the voting booth – or filling out their absentee ballots – that this country will elect to continue the essence of one the most severely failed administrations in this country's history.

And I, for one, can't wait for the debates – when, hopefully, the playing field will be level, genuinely objective and conducted more honorably.

Amended entry:

This event violated the Constitution of the United States. The Constitution forbids any religious means testing and shame on CNN for participating in this. I cannot believe how ignorant of the Constitution that everyone is (this includes the press), it is deplorable.

This also violated the First Amendment of the Constitution that states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." CNN and other media outlets have tunnel vision with this Amendment just see "freedom of the press" and nothing else.

Let me give you reasons why church and state should be kept worlds away, The First World War, The Second World War, The Taliban in Afghanistan and September 11th, 2001. Are you listening to me and do you understand what I am waring you about. When religion gets involved in the affairs of State, evil, horrible and awful things happen.

The pastor should have considered himself fortunate to be on the same stage as Sen. Obama. Not once di the pastor ask Sen. Obama if he was comfortable and if he would like a better chair; such rudenes. You can be sure that pastor Wright would have been more curtious towards Sen. Obama and more agressively interrogative of Sen. McCain.
The only tide there will be is if Sen. Obama is denied his POTUS, and that will be a crimson tide on the streets of america.

David:
I'm still in the "undecided" category so I was very interested in the forum. I was impressed by both candidates' answers. I do agree with you, McCain came out like a lion and really showed confidence and passion in his answers, even though some of them appeared to be "canned" . In comparison to Obama who took his time answering the questions but you knew they came from the heart and were genuine.

Obama needs to be careful on his approach to these types of events, while some think he's a true leader because he's a people person and thinks about all sides and seeks compromise. Taking a long time to make a decision or answer a question is not a good leadership skill to have either. Remember when McCain couldn't even answer the Viagra vs. Birth Control insurance coverage question? It makes them look wishy-washy.

Perhaps McCain had the advantage of hearing the questions ahead of time but for me it was the content of the answers that mattered most. Needless to say, I think McCain shined on this one. Thanks for blogging today about the forum. I was hoping you would!

Jolene, St. Joseph, MI

It is frustrating how the media will sway opinion to generate controversy.
It was glaringly evident at the Saddleback forum that John McCain has a cracked rearview perspective of the world. Every question was answered with war, no matter what the question was. He reminds me of a relatives and friends who returned from WWII and Viet Nam. They had been emotionally scarred. Not all, but many beat their wives, had failed marriages, drank to excess and could not see a broader world. Although we loved and appreciated them, they could not escape the singular vision of violence and could never see past their own personal pain and vengefulness. John McCain is the same. It is also sad, that the 'mob mentality' of America is being fanned once again. America's penchant for violence has proven to be killing us, literally and globally. Our country voted for G. Bush, twice and look where we are. And now to have the media and David Gergen sing the praises and glorify McCain's commitment to violence is irresponsible. I have to believe there are good people out there who see the same. McCain's broken perspective is now wanting more war for oil with Russia. Everything Reagan accomplished is on the verge of being torn down. Here's the simple truth, we don't have the military to start another war with anyone especially Russia, no matter what the reason. All our troops and money are gone. We are wounded, weak and limited. Before we start another global barroom brawl, maybe we should heed the words of President Reagan to become a 'kinder, gentler nation". It is time to heal America.
Dear Mr. Obama, thank you for your consciousness.

John... Minnesota

David:

I mean no disrespect, but it has always been the MSM ( in general ) that has tried to portray Senator John McCain as a bumbling old fellow.

Thanks, but I will judge for myself !!!!

Susan
Phoenixville,PA

David, after reading your column, it's refreshing to see that the mainstream media may finally be realizing that Obama is a skilled faceman at best.

As an undecided Independent who usually votes democrat, I tuned in to Saturday's interviews and found Obama almost unlistenable.

When asked each question, he stammered time and again when "searching for words" or an appropriate response, continually avoided eye contact when responding and came off as meek and unconvincing.

Obama's penchant for arguing both sides of an issue and his inability to frame articulate, straight forward and timely responses to questions can leave listeners unsure of convictions.

If asked what time it is, Obama might want to build you a watch; if asked what two plus two is, he might don an accontant's hat and tell you it's whatever you want it to be.

I was waiting to be convinced on Saturday and the only thing I am convinced about is that Michelle Obama is the born leader in that family.

McCain came across as a "grandfatherly" which what we need for our country. His story tellings were interesting and he came across someone with real depth! Obama's talking style is tiring now. He seems that he is always searching for the "right" word to say, instead of being relaxed and give us what he really believes.

I say, enough of baby-boom generation presidents! its' time for someone with real experience. Clinton did not have much, Bush did not have much of experience and they just winged it...it's enough I see Obama as another Clinton and Bush, he is part of the last bay-boom generation.

We are choosing our next LEADER.
And what we witnessed was the fact that Obama is NOT A LEADER.
Principal and character matters no matter which party you belong to and John McCain demonstrated that he has both.

All religions are based on stories and interpertations handed down through time . Its like Senator McCains story about the Guard and the Cross . It sounds as if God himself took control of the guards foot and used it for a Devine intervention . We must be very leary of stories without valid proof before we believe it as fact . It could change the course of history , if we vote for thier stories and not thier Ideals .

Obama should pick Evan Bayh for VP (Experience plus Indiana)

McCain should pick Tim Pawlenty (Young plus Minnesota)

Nevertheless, Obama will likely win in November, as he is the candidate of the middle class (Jobs & Middle Class Tax Cut for Workers).

McCain, in contrast, wants to eliminate the estate tax for Billionaires & provide a tax cut for those who want to keep breeding children,

McCain sounded smooth and forceful because he was prepped with the questions in advance. When caught offguard, he looks like a stunned chicken.

You know what, CNN gets better ratings if the election is close.
It is not bias to McCain, it is bias to have the polls tighter.
Take for example all the negative coverage of the upcoming unified Democratic Convention. If Hillary wears a blue dress, will that be an issue? (make something of nothing)
Compare with the minimal coverage of 'in shambles' divided Republican Convention. (make nothing of something)
(how to explain???) Close your eyes and imagine HEADLINES that Richardson, Kennedy, Kerry, Clinton, Clinton, and so on were NOT going to the convention!
Would that not be a picture of DISASTER for the party.
There are so many things, but we once had a Prime Minister lose an election because they got a photo of a pat on the bottom he gave to one his aids. McCain rehearsed, consulted with his wife, went on stage and READ from a script, that his wife should enter the Miss Buffalo Chip Contest.
MSM could not run that one very much, but think of the coverage if Obama had made such a premeditated and STUPID comment!
---
CNN reported America ranks #19 in developed countries in education and #1 in incarcerations.
Should not leaders be role models? Should NOT America get their act together before meddling in World Affairs.
As a Citizen of Earth, I wish I could ask for the impeachment of Bush, as well as the impeachment of McCain.
Huckabee or Romney would both be better Presidents than Obama, but Obama is miles better than McCain. Heck Bush is better than McCain.
McCain's daddy and his camp CO turned down the early release the Cong had offered him. Did anybody ever ask what you had to do get early release??? Kind of fits in with all those propoganda tapes Kerry and McCain had sealed forever.
Some day, somebody, will wake up and realise it was a direct political conflict of interest for Kerry and McCain to run that Committee and open up what they hid.
Why does McCain NEVER mention this amazing piece of bipartisan cooperation. He does NOT want any mention of it, does he?

I have enjoyed reading blogs for some time, but today is the first time I felt compelled to join the conversation.

I watched the forum and believe Obama's answers were sincere and McCain's were a version of his stump speech and lacking depth. Furthermore, contrary to popular belief, answering a question prior to any contemplation is not a sign of strength, but ignorance. Being rigid in your views is a weakness. That means you believe in the "my way or the highway" mantra which is a recipe for getting absolutely nothing done!

But I am more concerned by his dishonesty. There's something called full disclosure, partial disclosure, and non-disclosure...Only the first one is the truth. When Pastor Rick asked John McCain, "How was the cone of silence?" and he did not tell the American people that he was not in fact in the cone for a full half an hour (or more), he boldly lied to the Pastor, and more importantly to the American people. He missed an opportunity to show us that he had the courage to be an honest citizen of the United States of America, and break from the politics of lying, cheating, and deceitfulness for one's own political gain. If you recall, Obama was honest when he disclosed to the public that he had forewarning regarding the adoption question. That's called integrity. Something that John McCain is clearly lacking.

When tensions begin to escalate in the world, will he leave out a few pertinent details regarding intelligence obtained to lead us into another military conflict? It is clear by the lack of attention to his confirmed lie by his own campaign's admission that nobody in the media is going to ask the tough questions and get to the truth. If the media won't ask the tough questions and find the truth regarding such a simple, straightforward demonstration of a candidate not telling the truth, it is clear when McCain wags the dog in the future, they will drop the ball again. I find this stark reality truly frightening. When will we as a nation final demand the truth!

It seems the only way that Sen.Obama supporters can describe him is through what they think they know of Sens McCain & Clinton.

I don't see the vicious hatred spewed by Sen. Obama's supporters reflected by the supporters of Sens. McCain & Clinton.

I just want to know why I have only heard from the radio that John McCain heard the questions before he got on stage and was able to think about his answers. The proof is he had the answers before the questions was asked just look at the tape. That is why some people think that he was so forceful. He knew the questions. Is that fair , so he give him a break, Obama needed to take time to think. Oh he is long winded no he is thoughful and not a hot head and someone that just will go forward with anything. We need a thouhtful President not a hothead or someone that will not listen to others. Still McCain came off to me as someone who just cares about the rich of America and winning a war that I feel can not be won the way we are going.

David, does having the ability to tell a great story make someone a great leader? I don't think so. Stephen King is a great story teller, but I wouldn't want him running the country. Also, every topic the pastor brought up, reminded McCain of something that happened to him at the camp in Vietnam. He needs to stand on his record now, and stop making comparisons to things that happened to him 40 years ago.

I just can't stop wondering if when Michelle first told Barack she was pregnant with either of his two daughters was his response something like, "Well, honey, it's 'above my pay grade' to believe there is a new little life growing inside of you."

Anderson – I think it's telling that John McCain wasn't comfortably enconced in the cone of silence that the audience thought he was. No one is making the charge that he did know the question prior to the event – but that he could have.

Instead of a statement from John McCain clarifying what he was doing during that thirty minutes, his campaign strikes out at anyone who even questions that there was that 30 minutes of uncertainty.

When McCain said he had a ear to the wall, he just might have been.

I watched the event which had me completely dumbfounded. How could it be that an evangelical church is so powerful that it is able to conduct 'interviews' with our presidential candidates. What message does this send to the rest of the world? Could it be that as a result we appear to be a nation of evangelicals or evangelical panderers?

Watching the event was difficult as I was unable to reconcile how it came to be and who is Rick Warren? how powerful is his church? On another note.....I was a little offended that he didn't bother to wear a tie to interview the future leader of this nation (and the freeworld).

In the end my conclusion is that this event was designed to throw McCain in a environment of 'his' people where he could easily answer the typical conservative platform questions. It was a much more challenging foray for Senator Obama who was able to be mindful of the evangelistic platform while remaining true to his base. I was very proud of the way he handled himself and how he stayed true to his convictions while being respectful of the environment he was in.

I wonder if Senator McCain would fair as well were he being interviewed by the countries most powerful and liberal voting block?

Good job on Saturday Senator Obama, I look forward to voting for you in November.

Mr. Gergen:

You are putting too much stock in one appearance, especially when it appeared that Mr. McCain knew which questions would be asked and he was basically preaching to the choir on pro life , marriage meaning man and woman. Finding Bin Laden etc. I found it telling when Pastor Warren noted to MCCain that he was answering the question before they were asked. The 2 that come to mind are merit pay for teachers and the Supreme Court question. In addition he was allowed to go on with his 'my friends" stump speeches I did not learn anything new about McCain on Saturday and my vote remains for Senator Obama.

David,
I think the tide may be turning. First, maybe we've all had too much of Obama. Then, conservative republicans are realizing that McCain may not be as bad as they once presumed. And, finally, many Hillary supporters, like me, are not going to drink that Obama koolade.

It wouldn't have mattered if McCain went first rather than Obama. McCain still would have answered the questions the exact same way. And Obama would have stammered and hem hawed around before answering. He did the exact same thing when he was debating with Hillary Clinton. He may give good speeches when they are written out for him but when it comes to speaking off of the top of his head he fails miserably. And the reason for that is he is trying to cater to too many people and doesn't stand for one thing in particular.

As far as this forum not being fair...why not!? Doesn't Obama say he is a Christian and has the same values and morals as any other Christian? So he should have been just as at ease there as McCain was! How does he think he is going to get their votes if he can't even answer a simple question without stammering and having to think out what he thinks people want him to say instead of what he really feels.

Cindy...Ga.

David , I thnk that the tide is not turning in McCain's favor for one thing McCain had the opprotunity to hear the quesitons a he came out of the gate on top. He lied about being in the "Cone of Silence so this is just another tatic the republicans used against Senator Obama.

Also, women voters you should really find about the issues that Senator McCain if for he wants to overturn Roe. v. Wade he believes women doesn't have the right for free choice. Do you really think he cares about your rights.

McCain thinks that the rich midde class makes upf of people making 5 million dollars wow I guess everyone else is classifed as being poor.

As far as Senator Obama anwers to the questions he is a person who thinks very carefully before answering questions.

As for McCain take a look at how he has answered questions to the media reporters in the pass he stubbles and makes gaffles.

I just think he was well prepared and his answers seemed to be rehearsed that would make anyone look good in front of the camera.

As for the controversy about wheither McCain did or did not hear the questions is really of little concern- as both guys did a great job.

In the future there is an easy fix, have a debate forum where both hear the questions at the same time. Obama does not want this kind of forum. Why not?

I am wondering if Clinton would not have been a better choice? Of course I think she would have been, as I voted for her. Right now I am still undecided ..... I wish there was a third choice.

Obama is just starting, just watch him finish...

Remember guys McCain Loves war just like Bush and more war means more higher gas price's ect. Then who wins in all of this?
The REPUBLICANS not the people who they suppost to serve. Don't let McCain scare us with his "I know more about how to take care of business when it comes to war". Yes he does HOW TO KEEP US IN A WAR!
So, use the commen sense that God give us and let start a fresh year with a new President with fresh idea's!

Why CNN are favoring McCain now!!!

To JC in St. Louis

Senator Obama thinks before he speaks (and in the moment) and he answers questions from his heart and his intellect. Senator McCain is rehearsed and drilled on the types of answers that he will get questioned on.

Wait until a real debate, you will see McCain blow a fuse.

tjs wrote:

"The polls are mis-leading! A huge number of Obama supporters use cell phones and can’t be polled."

If this was a factor, primary exit polls would have consistently understated BO's support. As far as I could see, this was not the case. They were generally consistent with election results.

Dani, Seattle wrote:

"Well Cindy, I guess you’re one of the 19% of people that thinks Bush is doing a good job."

She said nothing about Bush. Personally, I don't like either BO or McCain. An Obama presidency would "torture" me, in the sense that racial grievance politics would finally have been brought to its logical end - namely, the election of an unqualified President on the basis of his race.

Larry wrote:

"The only tide there will be is if Sen. Obama is denied his POTUS, and that will be a crimson tide on the streets of america."

Most unseemly of you. I'll be glad to meet you on the streets if that happens.

"Protected groups" have employed threats time and again to get what they want. They continue to be coddled, which is why Larry and those of his ilk persist in it.

JC- Los Angeles

Couldn't agree with you more... came off very week... almost trying to pander to all sides of an issue leaving wondering where he stood at all... not what I want in a leader!

To: Cindy Ga
There you go again giving your un-insightful opinion, I think your responding B4 you have all the info, Well, did you know MccLame wasnt even at the forum when Obama started his interview, he was still in a limo on his way there which means he's pretty undependable when it comes to being on time as well as dishonest, we all know limo's have televisions in them so Im sure he got to hear the questions, not to mention MccLame looked and sounded like an old man telling war stories yeah its fun for a minute but after a while you get kind of tired of hearing about what was. One of the most profound moments of the interview last night was the question about evil, basically the question was Does evil exist? and what we as a people should do about evil? MccLame didnt even answer the question in full, he just blurted out "defeat it" Obama had a much more realistic answer, He first answered the question "yes evil exist" that was the first part of the questions answer (in which MccLame didnt answer)
and Obama went on to explain that we as a people should confront evil, God is the only one who can defeat evil, which to me was the most realistic answer, MccLame went on to say in a old style like torrent shaking his fist that he cant even lift over his head "defeat it defeat it" as he then said " I will track down Bin Laden and follow him to the depths of hell to get him" ask him if he plans to take the rest of th U.S. with him.

Dam Old fool.
You guys are craxy to back an old senile fool.

ARIZONA RON FROM TUCSON

Sure ONE of them is on a roll now.

However, I know my attention span is shorter these days, hours, minutes. Next week Obama will be "back on track" and the week after....

What were discussing again?

Can't there ever be a Republicrat or Democracan?
I'm still stuck in the middle again, jokers to the left of me, clowns to right, here I am...

McCain came across as a “grandfatherly” which what we need for our country.

No, this country needs to grow up and stop looking for Santa Claus.

I have always felt that McCain communicates better when he isn't working from a script or a prepared speech.He looked and sounded very comfortable.Obama,however always has problem when there isn't a prepared speech to read or a script to follow.Even in interviews he always struggles.He may be a great speaker,BUT that is ONLY when he reads from a prepared speech.If he doesnt,I always stammers to talk. How can he say he is change when he cant even answer questions like the old fashioned politicians he claims are old Washington? McCain no doubt did great!

When Obama's stuck for an answer, he always goes back to “I opposed the Iraq war from the beginning”. It can be tied to a judgment question, a courage question, a foreign policy question – in a pinch it can even cover domestic issues (…we would have been able to deal with this if we hadn’t spent all of that money in Iraq-which I opposed from the beginning).

Two problems:
One – It barely makes sense sometimes (on Sat. night, he used his opposition to the war as an example of bipartisanship. What???).

Two – it can lose its impact if he tries to morph it to fit too many different questions. He described his opposition to the war as a “gut-wrenching” decision. He said he “agonized” over it. Not nearly the strong, sure conviction he’s previously claimed. If it was the unpopularity of his stand, and not the right or wrongness of it that was “gut-wrenching” for him, that’s not a pretty picture of a future president.

McCain, was very poised, and professional, and he did not avoid any questions. I am so sick of Obama, and his supporters blaming everybody else when, it's evident that this man has no idea what the heck he is doing. They tried this same mess with The Clintons,and got away with it. But, McCain and The Republicans, are not going to stand-by and watch it happen to them. I think Obama, is starting to lose his luster,and people are getting their first real good look at him. Americans it's not to late to CHANGE YOUR MINDS.

If one takes this forum as a way to pick a candidate then that person is a simpleton. McCain came across as an old guy with lost of stories of the way things were... back in his day....... His accomplishments... POW... well that's over 40 to 50 years old. The experience that he claims he has.... is that of sincerely old polictics and old thinking...... I mean the man voted against a King Holiday in his state... and all he can say is he was wrong...... he stood by the president for the past 8 years...now he says he's nothing like him... this forum between Warren, Obama and McCain was truly scripted... right down to Warren and McCain's matching attire..............

Who is MccLame?

So now we are to believe your boy Obama was "not preped like
John Mccain "funny how that is considering Obama just announced how he preped for a question he knew was coming.......Your boy is just that a boy. The man John McCain knew what to do and he did it, he was honest, straight forth and not predictiable like Boy-bama, if you have no history of things relevant then you wing them like Boy-bama did and in doing so he came off like the (Jack-ass) symbol of the Democratic Party he is.

Your boy wants children dead if an abortion goes bad and they live, your boy bam-bam wants to feel comfortable or he won't show up to a debate. Not only won't he show up to debates, if pressed for an answer from him, " we are all racist because we judge him. Because he dosent "look like our money" and on top of all that and more...if the money you take home is what he considers rich, bend over and get ready for the Obama tax..........("Pay Grade") raise.

Now once again we have BOY-bamas disciples telling us we America will have a price to pay if he is denied his rightful supposed due
(The Presidency). Then we have the leader of the Democratic party
(Howard Dean) playing the race card yet again...Now if you are a Republican you are the White party. What on earth is the Boy-bama and his disciples going to do about voters who are pro-choice and still not white...

Whats that noise...Oh, it's Hillary accepting on behalf of the 18 mill.
that voted for her and you better believe she's been preped also and still more believable than NOBAMA.............

It's doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that Obama's popularity has been sliding since February. How else did Clinton clean up and win nearly every state since then – even South Dakota after the media falsely reported she'd suspended her campaign? Obama is a losing horse. Now Clinton's name is in nomination. If the Democrats want to beat McCain they have one way to do it. Senator Clinton. With public financing plus her GE fund, she would have over 120 million next month ready to go. Plus her donors are completely untapped, she could raise another 2-3 hundred million easily before November. The primaries were so high profile, she's already campaigned in 50 states. She polled at 50% to 42% McCain a few weeks ago and she's not even campaigning! The GOP would have to completely change its strategy. By the time it got itself together, Clinton will have won the election.

David
Just for fairness sake. Was this not Obama going to the lion's den by accepting the invitation. After all ask McCain if he would like to face a similar debate with a gay and lesbian crowd, a minority crowd, younger crowd, college educated crowd, a woman's forum, etc.
Atleast give Obama credit for being brave enought to reach out to all the people in USA irrespective of their politics, age, beliefs, agenda. If you took a poll of the attendee whom the support you will find 60-70 percent MCCain supporters. So it is understandable how you feel.
regards Mack

For those of you who feel that John McCain is the "saving grace" for this country, please remember the words that was coming out of his mouth, "I will hunt down Bin Laden and make him pay........." I believe we heard that form of phrasology from George W. before he went after WMD which has thrown us into this unnessary war. BUT what can we say when you would rather have the White House occupied by more of the same than to take a chance on a positive change.

I would just like to leave you with a little know black history fact – "why is it that a Black Man can design a place for the high authorities to meet in; a place for the President to live in [The Capital & the White House] Phillip Reid [a slave] & Pierre L'Enfant, but not be good enough to lead these meetings or live in himself?"

The comments that many of you have made rings of that "slave mentality" where you need to feel superior to someone. We are now past the millenium and you have not learned how to live in peace and harmony as a people.

I will pray for you because you obviously don't know how to pray for yourself to come beyond yourself and grow.

Hi Mr.Gergen,

It is so funny that a room full of people here in Canada watched the forum on Saturday night and one of those people asked the question "Do you beleive that McCain got the answers, was briefed or perhaps was not even in the cone of silence room? I kid you not ! And here we have it , it is being reported that all our assumptions may be true..

Wether they are (our assumptions) true or not I really cant believe that you of all people fell for McCains answers. They were so not answers but stories to gloss over the fact that he did not have a valid answer to any of the questions. He came across as pompos, geriactric and rude at times. He practically took over the interview and most of his responses were to revert back to his days as a POW .

Straight talk express my foot, he's a liar and a cheat who when asked how was "the cone of silence did not ahve the decency to admit that he was not even where he should have been. McCain needs to stop following in the footsteps of his fellow rebublicans and be honest.

What a joke and you guys at CNN all fell for it. So much for your independence and un-bias reporting. next time check the facts and then make your claims.

McCain only seems to want to run headlong into war-zones and everyone better be on board or else. Time for a change I beleive.

PEACE
Carmelita

Obama's numbers are dropping in the polls because he receives far more negative press than John Mccain. Although he receives a lot of attention from the media, most of it is negative, bringing up past associates and his heritage.

John Mccain was involved in quite a few negative scandals but the media has failed to report those. For example during this election you never hear about the Keating Five scandle where Mccain was associated with Keating and it was deemed bad judgement. John Mccain also cheated on his 1st wife with Cindy Mccain but you never hear about that. The media has ripped John Edwards to pieces but John Mccain did the same thing. His wife was also ill when he divorced her.

There seems to be a bias by the media when reporting on the two candidates. One gets to skate by with positives and the other (Obama) gets all of his negatives reported. Where is the fair and balance in that?

Please post my comments...they have merit (at least mine)

How can Americans call John McCain a christian...I have not heard the testimony on how he came to have that title..."soldier making a cross with his shoes, and not saying a word, while facing McCain in Prison" how does this qualify as a testimony of a christian...I do not have $50 million dollars in this lifetime...maybe my father has al that saved up for me in heaven one day!

That guy is a joke...he is saying what the people in that gathering wants to hear...I am a christian and does not want to be compared to another person who is so fake in his beliefs. He is a man of little words alright..."ask him what the bible said about hiding one's light under a bushel"

John McCain couldn't have 'heard' all the questions to the debate. He was in the cone of silence for an hour and a half. The mosthe could have heard was 30 minutes. But, let's say he did. Let's say he knew every question in advance. So what? You eithere are or are not in favor of abortion. You either are or are not in favor of staying in Iraq.

If you don't know what you believe in (or what is popular, Mr. Obama) then you have no business being President.

To everyone that cant seem to figure out that McCain had the answers to the test, you guys are just fooling yourselves. The reason why people continue to trust and praise republicans and their agendas is beyond me, even after you see the BLOW the american people have been dealt by the republicans you still continue to say they have the best intrest of america at heart. From what I can see, they are crooks at best . Wake up, stop dreaming and move forward, just remember that these guys had the opportunity to prove they were the champions for and of america and FAILED!!!

We've had nearly eight years with a "leader" who's only capable of knee-jerk, pre-fab answers designed to appeal to low-level thinkers. Clearly, that works for some Americans. But stupid is as stupid does; dogmatic adherence to emotionally-derived stances brings exactly what we have in this country today – an unbelievable mess on every front.

What we saw in Warren's ill-planed forum was one man playing checkers, one man playing chess. Thick-headed types are so amazed that McCain can spit out rehearsed lines quickly. I, like millions of others this time around, am thrilled to see a candidate who actually thinks before (and as) he talks. Give me all the "ums" and "wells..." you want, Barack. It shows me that there's something going on in your mind besides choosing which well-worn "I was a hero" story to trot out. Obama took Warren at his word, that this would be an honest – and real – discussion. McCain took it as just another chance to kak out his tired sound bites, many prefaced by his equally-automatic "my friends."

And what's with pilfering Solzhenitsyn's cross in the dirt story? Does he think nobody reads?

Obama's economic policy would be disastrous for this country. Higher taxes on the people that employ workers would mean higher unemployment and fewer workers doing more. His stance on oil production is ludicrous and leaves us dependent on OPEC. No drilling in the U.S. and off the coasts and ANWAR is just ignorant. Obama not voting to make English the official language of the U.S. on June 6, 2007 is not only unpatriotic, it is also TREASON!!! Vote NONOBAMA 2008!!! BAD POLICY IS BAD CHANGE!!!!

While listening to Obama speak, I wish I had counted the times he stuttered!! that man who is supposed to be such an eloquent speaker can't even get a word out without stuttering all over the place. I don't know if he is trying to figure out what to say or what, but he was making himself look really stupid. I thought McCain did a great job and I learned a lot about him by listening to him speak.

I am one of those individuals who are undecided. I am trying to take input from several different angles. However, I know insulting a man's service record to his country is not a smart way to go. It does not matter if that individual is a vet from 50 years ago or 1 year ago. Young or old, people who have any sense of honor will find fault in people who attack war vets.

People who are intellegent will look at the facts and make sounds judgements on Obama's and McCain's policies and nothing else. Attacking McCain's service history will only win McCain more votes.

I feel deceived by Rick Warren. I felt through the whole event that McCain was prepped beforehand. Remember the abortion/viagra question? McCain is just not that quick. Then we find out that the "cone of silence" McCain was supposed to be in was his limo. Limos usually have tv and radio access and that McCain didn't arrive at the event until 30-45 minutes after it began. As it turns out Rick Warren is just another sinner hiding behind the Bible. Glad I didn't waste my money on his books.

Let's say that Sen. McCain heard and viewed everything that transpired in the conversation between the pastor and Sen. Obama.
This was not a quiz like at school where there is only one correct answer, and if you get a copy of the answers ahead of time then you are cheating. When presented with the questions, did Sen. McCain say he disagreed with what Sen. Obama replied to the question; did Sen. McCain say anything that was different from his position on any ot the questions?

Why would we elect a man who failed in other attempts to run for president, our lives are not the same as 26 yrs ago, things arent just black and white although it seems as though the struggle between black and white still exist, and you know, its not black and white its racial people against black people that have the problem and from my prospective there are racist in the white house as well as on the streets and in homes around america, they dont want that to change, there elite-ist ways and the need to have a war monger leading our country is scary. I cant believe how much some people in america are afraid of blackness. Dont worry we wont enslave you when Obama becomes president.. Or is that your arroagance is reaking havoc on your still racist being and you cant come to grips with a blackman being smart enough to run this country.
Can someone respond to this?

ARIZONA RON FROM TUCSON
the same state the old man is from.

Marlon, To be fair, both Obama and McCain knew this was a religious forum and they both agreed to it. Anyone could just about guess the type of questions they were going to be asked. None of the questions were surprising.

Since you believe that a religious forum favors McCain do you also think that the debates sponsored by black organizations favored Obama?

For the record I believe in the separation of church and state and would not have chosen such a forum.

Jo Ann
North Royalton, Ohio

David,

I have to agree with you, during Saturday’s forum McCain definitely looked more presidential than Obama did. Although I think that anyone could have guessed some of the questions that would come up during this type of forum, Obama still seemed lost for words and didn’t appear to take this forum seriously. You are right; he didn’t seem very emotionally connected to this audience.

The result of Saturday’s forum is a perfect example of why Obama has refused to take part in any joint town hall meetings with McCain. He knows that the combination of unknown questions and a direct and immediate comparison with McCain could be dangerous for him, but that is exactly what the American people deserve and need to see.

The Obama campaign started the "cone of silence" rumor; I suggest everyone wait until the truth is known either way before jumping to conclusions.

Jo Ann
North Royalton, Ohio

To all of the nay-sayers that think McCain knew the questions beforehand....Rick Warren was interviewed today and this is his response to Obama's accusations per the LA Times:

Dan Gilgoff asked Warren (who is much in demand after his turn as candidate inquisitor) about assertions by Obama backers that McCain got the heads-up, meaning he wouldn't have to think as fast on his feet as his rival.

"They're dead wrong. That's just sour grapes..." Warren responds.

Gilgoff presses the matter, saying: "A source at the debate tells me that McCain had access to some communications devices in the few minutes before he went on stage with you and that there was a monitor in his green room, in violation of the debate rules."

Responds Warren: "That's absolutely a lie, absolutely a lie. That room was totally free, with no monitors - a flat out lie."

So get over yourselves and accept the fact that your man Obama tanked and has no one to blame but himself. No one cheated or was given the answers. When you have beliefs and stick to them the answers come easily. Unlike when you try to cater to everyone and have to come up with something to appease the masses yet you don't believe any of it.

Cindy...Ga.

Larry@6:36: did Sen. McCain say anything that was different from his position on any ot the questions?

that's not the issue. When not prepped and rehearsed to a fare-thee-well, McCain freezes and looks momentarily like a doddering old man. His handlers make sure he is never caught offguard, especially after the 'viagra' question.

Cindy @7:07 – if McCain truly had no access to the questions (and I refuse to believe that no one in his entourage was carrying a blackberry), then the man is psychic – he answered the 'supreme court' question before Warren asked it.

Cindy, I'm not sure how Warren can know that. The McCain camp themselves have said that McCain was in the motorcade on his way to the event when Obama was answering his questions. He was not in the "cone of silence" and presumably had access to Blackberries and other communication devices. Whether he took advantage of the situation is not known, but Warren seems to be the one peddling the lies.

First of all, Obama has to actually beat Hillary Clinton.

I am surprised everyone thinks this is a done deal, from where I sit, catharsis is the first part of chaos. What happens if a lot of superdelegates get cold feet? Do they really want Obama to be facing the New and Not so Improved Putin, I mean, this isn't a bunch of polar bears floating around on a supposedly melting ice-floe, this is a bunch of real bears breaking into peoples' houses.

I won't be surprised if surprises await in Denver. But you will. That is, if the world lasts another two weeks.

– Peter
– BC, Canada

Lucy writes:

"...who is Rick Warren? how powerful is his church?"

Here's a little info, Lucy: Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church, which is a family of churches in Orange County (south of LA) in California. The church was founded 1980 with about 200 members. Their website lists their collective membership at 16,000+, with an average attendance of 20,000+ (meaning they have a significant number of visitors).

I believe the name of the church comes from it's proximity to their location in Saddleback Valley, which is near Saddleback Mountain in the Santa Ana Mountains. (Saddleback mountain physically looks like a horse saddle from a distance).

Rick Warren is the author of the book "A Purpose Driven Life" which has sold over 11 million copies.

In southern California, there are many "chains" of Christian churches that are mildly evangelical, relatively new (last 20-30 years), and very popular for their social relevance and social outreach. They are redefining the way people view "church" – not a physical building you visit on Sunday, but a spiritual community that integrates with the external world in a practical way.

Saddleback has over 2200 groups for it's members that provide support for spiritual, health, family, work, and community outreach.

I attend a similar church that is part of the Calvary Chapel family, which has some similar characteristics, but I have chosen them for their mission work, social outreach, and global focus (my pastor has been to Africa and the Middle East more than some foreign correspondents).

From what I have heard, Saddleback "walks the walk" as opposed to just "talking the talk" – but I haven't attended church there so I can't confirm it. Either way, everyone's talking about the fact that a pastor can get both candidates up on stage.

To be honest who cares!!?? The evangelicals support a corrupt, criminal party, so why is the media giving them a forum...? Have we not learned from a one-issue voting block? There are other sins in the bible besides abortion and homosexuality. Greed is a sin that is huge in the bible if you want to get technical and put a meter on sin ( and if you look in the bible there is no sin-o-meter) but leave it to the evangelicals- they have non-christian people thinking there is. They dare not talk about greed, and the FACT that they really worhsip money, not God. Can't even watch TBN without getting blinded by the bling! Do you really think Jesus would set foot in one of those mega churches or would he help a homeless woman, man, or child sleeping behind the mega church in an alley...? Think about it people, it's not that hard.

The republicans have a history the last eight years , of the cheat sheet option . Its in their constituation .

Pastor Rick Warren mis lead us all... McCain did not follow the agreed upon rules of this forum. No excuse for his not being in the cone of silence from the onset of the forum. He lives by his own set of rules...whatever is benefits himself...hence, maverick............

David,
I watched your commentary after the forum...you were stunned at McCains preformance.....I know your gut was telling you something fishy was going on.................now we all know..................McCain was tooo well preped........all for show ...and you all are playing right into the plan of the McCain camp...cept..most of us dont buy it

I watched it twice just to make sure I wasnt bias. and guess what, I was right...we didnt see the real McCain, and Pastor Warren lied to us all......bogus forum ..period

P.S. to Lucy

Went back and read your post again – don't view Rick Warren's lack of a tie as a symbol of disrespect for the office of the Presidency. You just pinpointed a local colloquialism that's difficult to explain outside the culture of palm trees and surfboards.

Here in So-Cal, if a pastor shows up in a tie at some of the more casual services, the congregation just might roll in the aisles with laughter...my pastor teaches in shorts and shirtsleeves at some services, typically those attended by people 30 and under (of which there is a huge following).

Jesus didn't wear a tie. I don't think it's required

Do you people really pay attention to the stories? Rev. Warren, gave both Obama,and Sen. McCain,list of the subjects, that could be discussed. They didn't get the exact questions before hand, but they both knew what the topics, would be. Why is it everytime Obama, has problems,remembering his original answers, it's everybody else's fault when he gets it wrong. This man can't remember from one day to the next what he stands for. McCain, maybe older, but with his age comes a maturity, that Obama lacks.

Heather, I think that I would prefer a president who works better when he is not working from a prepared script. A president should be able to answer questions and make decisions at a moment's notice. Sometimes there isn't time to "be thoughtful."

I found it rather humorous that although Obama has tried to use McCain’s age against him, when Warren asked him who were the three wisest people he knew he mentioned his grandmother and Ted Kennedy!

Jo Ann
North Royalton, Ohio

@ Dani, Seattle...With all the rhetoric that you are spewing do you even have a clue as to what you are talking about? It seems not! Do you think that the Dems are blameless and sinless!? Get real!! They are as worse if not more so than the Reps in politics! Get your facts straight before trying to down people that you know nothing about.

Cindy...Ga.

@Arachnae August 18th, 2008 7:07 pm ET

Larry@6:36: did Sen. McCain say anything that was different from his position on any ot the questions?

that’s not the issue. When not prepped and rehearsed to a fare-thee-well, McCain freezes and looks momentarily like a doddering old man. His handlers make sure he is never caught offguard, especially after the ‘viagra’ question.

Hello. Even I was caught off guard about the viagra question; I had to go research it only to find that ED is an actual medical diagnosis and that Viagra is an actual treatment for it. Birth control ( I think they mentioned 5 types) is covered by most hmo's. If I recall correctly only about 7% of hmo's do not provide any coverage;which means the person who asked the question had not prepared herself very well to ask the question.

I recall HRC being consistently asked first to answer a question while BO had time to think about how he would answer the question, don't recall any person but HRC complain about that, nor do I recall you complaining about it.

They were both given a list of what the topics were going to be before hand. I've heard on a news program today that McCain was in his limo when the questions was being asked of Obama, so McCain had time to think about the questions and answer accordingly, he answer the questions to what he thought the perfect answer should be.

Daviv: I have heard you say over and over again that Hillary should be Obama's VP. However, you fail to ever state that you worked for Bill Clinton's campaign. I have written this many times, but CNN won't post it.

I believe the tide is turning. This is a year that favors Democrats. They are registerd 3-1 over republicans. This is not reflected in the polls.

I do not believe that either candidate had access to the questions . I was disappointed in both of their answers regarding America's greatest moral failure. They both thought that America could do more to help the rest of the world. I personally believe that America is the most giving nation on earth. I also believe that slavery was our greatest failure.

Also, Barack Obama did better on the day that they both addressed the NAACP

@ Mike in NYC wrote:

“Protected groups” have employed threats time and again to get what they want. They continue to be coddled, which is why Larry and those of his ilk persist in it.

Mike, which 'protected group' do I belong to? Ah, is it because I'm Scottish-American?

Let me understand David, during the upcoming debates, if Obama doesn't answer the specific questions asked but tells jokes, and tells some sad stories that happened when he was a little boy (that's about how far back he'd have to go to compete with McCain) then Obama will be praised for doing a great job as a debater?!

Give me a break. Where is McCain's answer as to the amount of money it takes in his opinion for someone to be considered rich? Where is the explanation for his answer as to why he considers his "failed marriage" the lowest point in his life? Expound on the one sentence answer he gave to the question, "what does being a Christian mean to you?"

Why was McCain allowed to give stump speeches and stories about being a POW, and Obama was specifically told not to give stump speeches?

You must have been watching a different show than I saw.

This forum showed that Obama understands the complexity of the
world we live in. There are not necessarily black and white answers to every question, sometimes there are shades of grey. McCain's answers may have been direct, but also indicate that he is out of touch with the complexity of the issues and will most likely be another Bush, his way or the highway.

It is so obvious that McCain had someone giving him the answers, They came to quick. I certainly would hate to think the Pastor had anything to do with this mess, but something tells me he did. He knew McCain wasn't in a cone of silence. He also helped McCain to talk to the crowd but controlled Obama's answers so that he faced the pastor all the time. And McCain thought he was really cute when he asked if he could tell another story.? God forbid, we've heard the same ones over and over. This was just to cut and dried.Jean New York

One more thing

McCain is the meanest, lyingist man I've ever seen or heard. He would do anything to be elected, If only he was man enough to do it right. And war , that is the most important thing on his mind. He's going to get us into trouble more then we are. Russia is only doing the same thing we did to Iraq and has said so. McCain better be careful, we are out of bodies that he can send out to be slaughtered. We need to put a stop to his mouth, it runneth over. Jean New York

I don't think the tide is turning in McCain's favor. You media people have it all wrong. These polls are taken among "likely voters". Rest assured there are a whole lot of unlikely voters out there that are not
polled. You can't convince me that John McCain had not heard those
questions prior to being asked by Ric Warren. Every response came
back to the war in Iraq with the execption of the response about the failure of his first marriage. I would hope that the American public would be a whole lot smarter this time around and not have four more years of the same failed policies of the Bush administration.

McCain reminded me of no one more than George W Bush. Quick, definitive, simple-minded answers about nothing. Since when is it a bad idea to have a president who THINKS THINGS THROUGH (as Obama clearly does)?? I thought McCain, while ideologically different from me in some ways, was a basically ok guy. After the Saddleback forum I have to say he *scares me*. Not only because he seems so comfortable with the topic of war you wonder if he's itching to find the next one - but more because his snappish, pandering, overly self-certain answers make me think his *way of thinking* (yes: his judgment) is a lot more like that of GW Bush than I previously thought. Another 4-8 years of that could be pretty devastating for America and the world.

Larry, From what I understand Warren said that he had given McCain and Obama a couple questions before hand and an idea about what might be asked. He told them that he was going to ask a question about the Supreme Court so of course McCain would have had something prepared.

I find all of this concern over whether or not McCain was in a "cone of silence" rather amusing. Even if he had heard the questions and the responses ahead of time it is clear that McCain didn’t steal anything from Obama’s answers. What would be the point? It would have been like one student stealing answers off of another student’s failing paper. This is why it is time for Obama to agree to joint town hall meetings.

Jo Ann
North Royalton, Ohio

I think the media should be investigating why did pastor Rick gives the his audience the impression that Mccain was somewhere isolated during the time when Obama was on stage. These forums are serious business and people should play by the rules. What if CNN had made this statement and it turned out not to be true. Whether Pastor Rick knew he was back stage or isolated somewhere, it doesn't matter. He organized the forum and was responsible for making sure that people played by the rules. The Forum calls into question his credibility. It was very obvious that Mccain had rehearsed his comments before he came out. He looked like a little Kid who ate all the candy and lied about it, eventhough all the juice was running down his mouth. Do your job Anderson and investigate this story.

I am sorry but this forum was a joke and a set-up. John McCain answered the questions before they were even finished being asked.
I hope the women of this country take note of his position on the supreme court. I also found it interesting how every other question led to a war story...

Sir, I THINK I heard John McCain answer "Yes,yes,and no" to a question that hadn't even been asked yet!! Do you suppose McCain may have had knowledge of the questions before the event???

I am sick and tired of hearing the word "surge" from McCain. Does he know anything else that is going on in USA? Also he braggs about bringing the troops home after winning the war – what a bunch of crap. What is his definition of winning? The only winning I know is when the enemy surrenders and signs a document declaring that they have lost (as in WW I and WW II). All other wars have been undefined as far as winning goes. Does he have a plan to get a surrender letter from Osama Bib Laden now that Saddam is gone? Iraq surely falls in that category. And his attacks on Obama amounting to treason are shameless.

David

Yes it does look like McCain could very well indeed win. I think more people are seeing that McCain isn't just like Bush – that "another 4 years of Bush" is just a campaign saying to devalue his candidacy and what he has to say.

Obama's handlers need to work with him on looking better in forums like this and debates – Obama never did well against Clinton in the debates; McCain isn't going to cut him any slack so Obama needs to find a way to bring his eloquence to the debates because without them we might see a repeat of the JFK vs. Nixon debates....

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

It was not a debate..it was to be a discussion/interview.. Obama was thoughtful and honest in sharing his feelings. He explained his thought process and did not bow to the conservative audience..he spoke to all Americans. I felt that McCain was using the forum to campaign and roll out his stump points.He seems to define himself by his POW status and referred to it as often as he could. ...without that..what would he bring to the table.I would have liked to see a little more thought go into his answers and a bit of explanation on how he supports his stance on some issues(eg abortion)

After watching the Obama half of the forum, I felt he did a good job given the fact that this audience probably had more in common with John McCain's positions rather than Barack Obama's. I think Obama was trying to give thoughtful answers to a crowd that wasn't likely to agree with some of his positions. However, I must admit I was quite surprised at how well McCain did overall. Perhaps this is getting so much attention because John McCain exceeded the expectations of many. The debates will be structured differently.....time will tell.

Yes Ron from Arizona, I'll respond to you.

In your statement " its not black or white but the raciest against black people". It sounds like a very raciest statement to me. What makes you think only white people are raciest? There are raciest on both sides and when everyone wants to admit this maybe we will be one step closer to changing the problem. You need to take a good look at yourself.

Jeanette–Missouri

Mr. Gergen,

Your analysis of the Pastor Warren question and answer session does not surprise me a bit. You so want Obama to select your favorite friend, Hillary, for VP that you are trying to make him appear to be in need of her and the Clinton's services. Also, behind Hillary is your blind faith in John McCain. After all aren't the Clinton team and McCain good friends?
So what is your right, Mr. Gergen, to use your media stature to influence the upcoming election? Please, if Obama should somehow win, will you please retire? If not, you can go right on singing Hillary and John's praises, and all your fellow pundits on CNN can keep on spinning. I really don't think any of you are as smart as you think. Nor do I think you know what this country needs.
Also, if Obama is inspirational you call him an empty suit, and if he isn't you blame him for not being inspirational enough. I am sorry to think it may take another 4 more years of Republican messes before people in this country wake up! But that is okay with people like you because you know Hillary will be waiting in the wings. You should stop trying to con all of us, and show us some respect.

@Jo Ann. I agree with the town hall meetings; but not so much the debates. HRC is an excellent debater and BO is not that far removed from when he was at Harvard so he too is probably a more polished debater than McCain. It will be interesting to see what rules with which they moderate the debates.

Sorry, but the one Obama should pick or should I say talk into it is Colin Powell. If he can get Colin Powell to be his running mate this race is over! You get a his expierence (he is loved by many and respected) he has the exp that Obama lacks. Get Powell and you just got yourself the white house.

John McCain was not in the church or the "Cone of Silence" at the start of Obama's interview. He read, heard, or was given the questions while he was in his limo during the first 30 minutes of Obama's interview. He cheated in church and has no moral authoritry to lead our country. He is pro life and pro war- he does not value human life on earth- there isn't a single war that he doesn't want to fight. He has tired ideas, values and needs to ride into the sunset. God Bless Barack Obama and America!

...well, in some form or other, the truth is now becoming apparent that ole 'Barry' is so totally inept to hold the job of president. The news media that are in the tank for Obama can not protect him now. It probably will get worse for him in the later days that are coming. I bet some of you Obama kool aid drinkers are kinda wondering where Hillary is now, huh..!!??.........NObama...

I wouldn't vote for McCain if he was the only one running. I'm so sick of these "Jesus Freaks", and everyone telling everyone how to live their lives. Where has all the common sense gone these days? They dislike anyone who isn't "Christian", This country has many,many different religions and it's President shouldn't be ONLY for the Christians,BY the Christians. Folks, get a life!!!!

Obama didn't do well in this debate . He showed his lack of experence and his judgment on the issues . If he can do no better in up coming debates . Think how well carrier politicians will work him in the future if elected . I'M not happy with McCain on many issues from the past he has backed . But I fear Obama with out more experence and exposer in the senate . I can't see betting on a gift horse with out seeing him run and a consistent stride and history . So far he hasen't empress me with his stride or history . So far he seem's to be talking with a mouth full of hay and a eye for the oats over the fence .
Chuck in Tennessee

LOL! tjs says that democrats have cell phones and could not be reached for polling! LOL!! Like Republicans still use only the corded right? And therefore could all be reached! LOL! Spoken like a true open minded umm...ummm...w/e
Obama stands no chance guys! Americans are waking up! The well plannned new voice is being seeen as he really is. Not who he wants ya'll to think he is. I have to laugh. One born every minute.
Cell phones... only republicans! LOL!!!!

Jane h. I hate to inform you, but David Gergen, no more panders to The Clinton's and Sen McCain, then Roland Martin and Donna Brazile pander to Obama. And when McCain wins, I hope it will be Roland Martin, that retires, because I am sick and tired of his race-baiting stories. David, I think you are right, people are finally starting to wake-up and see just who the real Obama is.

AC, if you and Barack Obama supporters think that the presidency is his for the taking – think again.

The office of the presidency is just a tad higher than Obama's pay grade level.

"above my pay scale" ~ Dumbest answer ever in the history of answers.

What else is above your pay scale? The presidency maybe?

I find the whole "McCain had the questions in advance" argument amusing. Since he is an old, bumbling man, he sure did a great job with the minutes he had to prepare after hearing the questions on the way to the church where the interview was held.

Sorry liberals, you cannot have it both ways.

Larry said in a post that if Obama is denied his chance at POTUS, that there will be a crimson tide on the streets of America. So are we to vote for Obama because we fear that people will riot and shed the blood of those who don't vote for Obama? This is a threat of violence based on how people choose to vote and is quite sick and inappropriate. Who moderates this and why on earth would you approve that post? Anyone who incites violence over a vote where we are all supposed to have the freedom and right to vote for who we decide on is warped. I for one will not vote in fear and I will not vote for Obama.

Sounds like the same old double shuffle that the Bush Administration has been feeding us for the past 8 years. It's the ultimate game of "Who Do You Trust?" I voted for Bush twice, but I've learned my lesson. Has America?

David, why can't you come out and say , that not only are Mc Cain's ad negative, they are false and misleading.? And as far as Saddleback, the MSM did the usual thing for McCain --lower expectations. Duh --speaking to an audience who are pro-life, anti anything gay , who do you think was going to win the audience's favor.? The MSM did not do a proper job of vetting George W. Bush, the Iraq war, and now you are letting John Mc Cain get away with lies and deceptions and completily misleading statements about his record.. Perhaps you should read a biography of Edward R. Murrow and find out what journalism is all about, Good Night and Good Luck

It sounds like John McCain knew the question beforehand during that forum. If reports are true that someone feed him the questions while travelling in his motorcade, that was not fair at all. And for him to claim that he was in a secure room while actually he was outside is dishonest.

To Larry, who wrote:

"Mike, which ‘protected group’ do I belong to? Ah, is it because I’m Scottish-American?"

I am sorry if I misjudged your sympathies, if indeed I did misjudge them. I assumed that you were advocating a particular path should BO not become POTUS. Again, if this was not your position, I apologize.

Scottish-Americans, being white, are not "protected." Unlike non-whites, whites are actively discouraged from pursuing their group interests, which are all too real.

Your sympathies should be with your own people, since other groups would have no sympathy for them, to say the least, should they gain political ascendancy.

Not enough people seem to have noticed that Obama thought deeply and answered reflectively while many times McCain didn't even answer the question! For example, when asked how faith played a part in his daily life, he told a 40 year old story. It didn't sound to me like he had a daily, personal relationship with God.

I agree that McCain is surging. He will wisely choose to announce his VP candidate the day after the DNC convention. If he gets too far ahead, both-ways-barack could do something drastic, just to get elected. I am referring to him choosing his arch nemesis as his VP, Hilary. That is the only way I can see him winning this thing now. He has defined himself as a tax and spend, flip-flopping liberal. McCain will also tear him up during the debates. This is why Obama wisely chose to only debate McCain 3 times! We need true leadership in these troubled times, not a rookie with "just words!"

Obama is good at speaking to the public only if it is on a teleprompter. He has no experience and rose to fame because of his race. Democrats have no clue whats going on and have an agenda that only hippies can admire. McCain is the far better choice hands down.

I feel that McCain will lead us into another war and then die in office and the VP will take over. Give Obama a chance. It seems every president we have had grows old in office. Hate to see that happen to Obama but he wants the job. His answers were thoughtful and he was careful what he said. As for McCain he already knew what the questions were. It was a joke I thought while watching. What is wrong with this picture. He always has to read his responses and he often miss speaks. Just how did he do that unless he knew before hand what all the questions were. Maybe he was wired. I will be proud to have Obama as President.

David,
Most of Obama supporters look up to you for insight. But for you to make us nervous going in to the convention is not the smartest or the best thing to do. Why are guys always preluding doom for Obama? You started spelling doom for Obama soon after the primaries and haven't stopped and haven't stopped since then. He went overseas and everyone attacked him. He came back and everyone called him arrogant. McCain barked and all the media outlets went his way. He's lied so many times and no one called him up on it. Rick Warren called them in for a conversation and McCain made it a campaign stump. Instaed of giving the news the pundits awarded the night to McCain. I am beginning to believe what a friend of mine said sometime ago. That McCain was bought over by the big white boys so he could allow Bush a second term and they will give him (McCain)one term. I think the big white boys are making on their promise.

You all sound so childish trying to claim that McCain cheated.
Obama's studdering and stammering and not really answering questions was why he lost.
Oh, I forgot, Barack Hussein Obama is just sooo much more brilliant than all of us common folk that he has to take time, and muddle through his answers.... It is obvious he has no moral core and he is in way over his head. I cannot even believe he is going to be the Democratic nominee.

I too am sick and tired of hearing about the surge and Patreus being the greatest thing since sliced bread. All they did in the "surge" was bring troop levels closer to what the original planners said it would take and that Rumsfeld laughed off as ridiculous. The surge is nothing more than a Republican and White House buzz word to cover their butts and to run from how many Americans lost their lives due to Rumsfeld's idiocy..and Bush's blind faith in one of the worst SOD in the history of the US. Next time McCain or someone else touts the "surge" please have the balls to call them out for what they are, which is being weak and shameful liars.

David,

Thank you for acknowledging the obvious. There may be room for you in the McCain administration. Nice balanced piece, btw.

No-Obama '08

I personally thought Obama was better at this Saddleback event. I felt that Obama's responses were honest and trustful, whereas McCain's responses were probably honest, but also very political. Obama was more eloquent and elaborated upon what he would do as president. (Think of this "evil" question) McCain again and again says that he knows how to win wars, but never really tells what he would exactly do as president. Unfortunately, simple and emotion-arousing answers are politically better than the thoughtful ones.

McCain or Obama,
Wow what great choices, I rather watch the olympics.

What about looking into the similarities between McCain's moving story about the cross in the dirt, and a very similar one told by Solzhenysten in Gulag Archipelago?

The major problem we see tonight is a man asnwering the questions without thoughts and judgement. Empty barrels makes the loudest noise. I may say we dont need fast war ready answers. we need a man who will take decisions not on what it looks or rush to make comments. But look within and under the surface to decide cos his decision might make or mar our international or local image. Bin laden is not the only evil we have so many evils everywhere both within and without.

They're both opportunists of the worst sort, but McCain is the worse of the two. He walked into the White House a maverick a while back and walked out a newly-anointed neocon... blessed now by the same people who tanked him in his last presidential run. The irony and hypocrisy are overshadowed only by the ignorance and apathy of voters who don't know and/or don't care.

Vote for Ralph Nader or Bob barr... two candidates who have stayed true to the maverick credo. McCain sold out.

Being an undecided voter, I felt that the debate favored Obama, rather than McCain. Obama came across as thoughtful, and interested in adressing all the nuances of the questions being asked. I found him articulate and intelligent. On the contrary, McCain seemed far from center, with answers made ready to cater to the Republican Party, which turned me off, because It felt disingenuous. Although I agreed with some of McCains points, he seemed unbending towards war, which also turned me off. When his first answer to the question about the wise men he would turn to was a military man, and the second a CEO, I found that very telling as to his intentions.

In the end, I don't think I want to vote for either one of them because I abhor the foriegn policy of one and wholeheartedly disagree with the social programs of the other.

Of course McCain had the advantage when addressing an audience of religious wackos. No substance needed, since you need to speak at a 4th grade level to get an idea across to that crowd. Simple ideas for simple minds. Obama is used to dealing with Harvard Law students and constitutional law professors; McCain, with Republicians. McLame was in his element this time – it's as "simple" as that.

David, it is very odd that the group of people that was watching the Faith Forum with me, felt Sen. McCain had the questions in advance. As most of the people there have talked about his previous blunders prior to the Forum on Saturday. So it is very unfair to say McCain did so well considering the fact Pastor Warren, mentioned he did not know McCain was not in the cone of silence just tonight on the Larry King show. However, Mr. McCain answered the question when asked by Pastor Warren, he had his ear to the wall. Why didn't Mr. McCain say well I was only there for so many minutes because I was in the Limo for 30 to 45 mins while you were asking Sen. Obama questions?

If the analogy that is to be used here is tides, then recall that tides come in and go out. They follow a natural path and process that is a manifestation of geology and magnetism. This is not the kind of analogy that fits well in a presidential race. Historically, two major issues resonate in all presidential elections: can I trust this person, and how will my personal economic life benefit if he/she is elected? Obama wins handily on the economic front. Another four years of Republican supply side economics will bankrupt the entire middle class in America. And we in the middle class know this. The real challenge for Obama is the trust issue. That is way McCain is constantly attacking Obama for being different, and not one of us. For those of us who have observed Obama and watched his progress through the primary elections it is plain that he is one of us and that he does share values that are common to the American experience. So, it’s not about tides. What it is about is perception of reality and a personal estimate of how well off I will be after this person is president for four years.

David, I have to disagree about how great McCain was! I really think that the media continues to give him a pass! He was very superficial in answering his questions! He took it as a joke and all he did was use the forum for his stump speech and for story telling! However one thing I did get from the forum is that McCain is definitely a warmonger! His only solution to any kind of conflict is WAR, WAR and more WAR! McCain did not impress me at all! He came off as being very PHONEY!

The Empty Suit seems to be at about the right "pay grade". Let's just leave him there and let grownups run the Country.

Both sides were aware of what the topics of discussion were going to be. No one in their right mind would go into a forum without having that knowledge. It is the responsibility of the moderator and participants to make sure the topics are known in advance. It is not cheating, it is the way it is supposed to be done otherwise you may end up with several minutes of dead air if the topics are not elaborated upon.

Barrack was far more thoughtful? Were we watching the same meeting? I support Barrack, but he didn't come across looking good. He is a very charismatic speaker, but when it comes to off the bat questions, he struggles. It is as simple as that.

If you lack any knowledge of who McCain really is just read FRANK RICH in this past Sunday's New Yourk TI imes section NEWS OF THE WEEK IN REVIEW. It is a wakeup call.

"David,
The tide has been turning in McCain’s favor for a while now. It’s about time that the press realized what the American people already have. With this forum McCain just showed exactly what he is …a very formidable candidate that Obama will in no way walk all over. In fact he answered the questions way more eloquently than Obama. I can see now why Obama will not do town hall meetings with McCain. He’d blow him out of the water! Obama is all talk with very little substance to back it up, this forum showed that in spades!"

-Cindy

In other words, Cindy, McCain's 'eloquent' talk can be taken seriously and Obama's can't? Exactly why?

Look closely at the McCain's careful words: he did not hear Obama. Doesn't say his staff didn't, and pass the questions to him. He was obviously prepped; could hardly contain himself to blurt out his ready one-line answers.

Wait until the debates! Obama will clean his muddled clock.

let me just say that, it was bais very narrow minded and it made me Completely loose interest in the candidates. lets keep religion out of the race please.

So, let me get this straight ... Gergen believes that a guy who just said that human rights should be applied to zygotes inside of a woman's body, that there is clear evil in people with no ambiguity and that he would not support judges that he himself voted to accept.

What a fraud the GOPers are. And the MSM just eats this crap up without question.

I haven't read every one of the comments, but it seems no-one here is calling McCain on his "cross" story which so closely duplicates the same story in Solzhenitsyn's Gulag ArchipelagO, pub. in 1973. Just way too close to be believable....and remember that Sol is one of McCain's favorite authors...The only counter that I've seen that has any merit is "the cross is a central symbol, this could have happened twice." Well, maybe..but then why does McCain tell it a bit differently each time...?
Also, McCain clearly got a jump on the questions so he had more time to prep. Repub dirty tricks are always with us.

These debates only matter if Obama doesn't pick Clinton.

If he does, the race is over. Obama wins.

At this point, I wonder how badly Obama and his supporters want the presidency. Just pick her already and let's move on to the White House.

You pick her, you please the other half, you win. Simple.

To all the Obamites crying about McCain knowing the questions before the debate, he did and so did Obama. It was clearly stated in advance that both candidates were given prior knowledge of the subject that were going to be discussed several days before the event. There is no travesty here; you are just being used by the liberal media again. The big media is leading you like sheep to the slaughterhouse (unless you want to live in a Socialist society) in their portrayal as Obama being some kind of Savior to the United States. John McCain clearly showed which of the candidates was the best choice for President of the United Stateson Saturday night at the forum and it is him.

To Cindy and the rest of the people who believe that McCain didnt listen and hear the questions before he came up..wake up and go back to the interview again. He answers before the questions are stated or even asked. At a point he asked Ric if they got to a question yet....imagine that is so funny only few who watch it and record to play back can really pick those out. Pls go back and watch it again. everyone

Full disclosure – I am an Obama supporter. As such I believe Obama did just fine in an environment that more suited a Republican candidate. McCain did give clear concise answers. Obama's were more long but that is definitely more his style for better or worse. For undecided voters, I believe they will have to get more information in order to decide. But I want any independents and undecided voters to keep this one thought it mind – a friend who is a veteran of the Iraq war said to me he would NEVER (his emphasis) vote for McCain because he is a war monger. He said he sees McCain taking us into more wars. Do you want us to go into more wars? Listen to how McCain is already talking about Russia.

I've been saying for a while now that McCain will do well in these venues, while most Obama supporters have suggested that "the old man will be blown out of the water" by their hero. Well, McCain is formidable, period. But keep telling yourself that a) the polls of COURSE are all wrong, b) Obama will DOMINATE in the debates, etc.

Just make sure you don't pinch yourself and wake up.

About the only thing I agree with here is Gergen's assertion that Obama needs to show more passion in any future debates. Unfortunately, we do not have much patience for a nuanced approach, which is why McCain's (however nonsensical) sound bites play well. But just because McGoo emoted, doesn't make him presidential material. And having been a P.O.W. (aeons ago) doesn't give him the corner on the patriotism market. Obama is equally a man of conviction and a patriot, and I think we will see a lot more fire from him during the DEM convention and beyond. He is also a consensus builder, and someone who is willing to work/think through the issues. McGoo's solution to everything is to 'fight' it. His perception that evil is everywhere probably has roots in his Nam experience, and, strangely, he appears to still be living in that era. There is little doubt in my mind that he was answering Warren's questions before they were asked, which can only mean one thing. As to what he would do for the economy, well, Ben Stein said it best on C-Span: He believes in supply side economics, and we all know that just did not work. It did not work for Reagan and it won't work now. I was surprised at how pro-McC a lot of the CNN analysts/commentators seemed to be after the debate. That McC was fired up did not impress me at all. He represents a bygone era of white western male privilege (yes, I am white). Today, I read that he and the heiress have TEN homes, not to mention the private jet (or three). Supply side economics, indeed. But of course.

If I hear one more "this is our moment" speech from Barack Obama I am canceling my cable service. The man can not speak on the spot, so what does that tell you? He does not speak about his true beliefs rather what his audience wants to hear from him. This was just another "moment" when Obama gets exposed. For McCain, he finally comes out of the gate with some fight. If you have this McCain through November, watch out because Obama won't be able to find the words to side step his way back.

It is pretty funny to see so many people accuse McCain of violating the cone of silence. The reason he did so well is because he has substantive answers that he is not making up as he goes. I cannot wait to get past the conventions to the debates when the American people will have a chance to see both of these guys for who they really are.

Amazing that the only thing the socialists can come up with against McCain is GW Bush. I think everyone can agree that Bush's presidency in many ways has been a complete failure. However, McCain is not Bush so why don't you run against McCain instead of Bush. Obama is a socialist bent on social programing turning this country into a welfare state.

I find it amusing that so many Obama supporters believe there HAS to have been some conspiracy or cheating or something for McCain to do as well as he did. Well, people, that's pretty stupid thinking. The simpler (and correct) explanation is that you've convinced yourselves that McCain is incompetent, etc....in other words, you've all been listening to each others' endless Obama worship and yammering. Your level of self-delusion (and the impressive but sad levels of creative defensiveness you're exhibiting to protect your beliefs) is pretty funny.

Again, don't pinch yourself...if you don't wake up, your dream can continue.

The one thing that disturbed me was McCain's late arrival at the show.

The statement that he was traveling and did not listen to or watch the first half hour of the show strikes me as possibly disingenuous.

He personally may not have, but since all traveling dignitaries are in constant communication in a variety of ways, it's entirely possible that his staff could have used the time to listen to the questions posed to Obama and quickly devised responses for McCain to present.

If asked, McCain could therefore clearly place hand on heart and claim that he neither saw nor heard video or audio of the show.

That's not to say that McCain did cheat – only that cheating was possible, and the show therefore had little of value to offer except in terms of Obama's responses.

I do wonder though what would have happened had Obama been the one arriving late...

McCain has showed why he is much like our lame duck president george bush, he's "gung ho" and gives us C rated answered to topics such as abortion, how do we deal with evil and human rights that require a more theological, outside the box and neutral thinking to play to different parties. See, some of us americans are very selfish people, its always we want to see this and that in a president instead of I would like to see a president that is compansionate about all americans, we don't think about how the next person feels and republicans no that and that's why they play to the audience so easily. Obama, when he speaks on a topic he plays to "ALL" americans and not to the ignorant americans.

I usually like David Gergen but he is getting on my nerve saying that Senator Obama should pick Hillary Clinton. There is no way in Hell I would have her and Bill Clinton on my ticket. Bill is what you classify as an angry man. I for one think she is aligned with John McCain. They would rather see him win so she could run in 08. Everyone better remember they are all millionaires and they can hold out the four years.

I hope all of the people who are voting for John McCain can hold out four years. We will definitely be in another war if he is President.

Also people can say what they want McCain knew what the questions were when he stepped out on the stage. If he had not known he definetely would have stumbled. He is not smart enough to have answered the questions the way he did. All of them were way to precise.

I am tired of hearing about everyone's religious doctrine and hearing the candidates answer religiously-oriented questions and pander to the gullible. I frankly don't care what religion these people are and wish they'd keep it to themselves and focus on the issues that are important to everyone, religious or not.

Here is one life-long democrat who will vote for John McCain this
November. Reasons? There are many (too many to list).

If McCain didn't hear the questions ahead of time then he really is a shoot from the hip/lip type person, some would suggest he is just like Bush in that regard. The next President needs to take a more thoughtful approach, not rushing decisions, racing off to war, overturn Roe vs. Wade because he thinks it's best. The next President needs to listen carefully, judge fairly, look forward not always to the past, build bridges not bomb them and earn the respect of the rest of the world not demand it. Change is definitely needed and fast.

We don't have any hopes about a new president. US is acting on the same way with the world for the last 50 years...

Wars and more wars.

After watching your coverage of this "Faith Forum" I am trying to reconcile my anger. There are three reasons I am angry that this forum even happened.
Reason 1 – It should be offensive to everyone that is not an Evangelist. There is a reason our founding fathers wanted separation of church and state. Faith is personal and should serve as a guide for personal decisions NOT for influencing laws that have been passed or will be passed to protect EVERYONE regardless of their faith, orientation, sex, etc.
If a candidate is pro-life then they should support every effort to educate and provide other options whether it is free condoms, the pill or other method to prevent pregnancy so there is no demand for abortion. Do not take someone's right to make a personal decision about their life. It is personal. Period.
Reason 2 – This forum is discrimatory. Where there other faiths like Muslims in the audience. Our country is NOT 100% Evangelist. This is pandering to one group. Doing so is NOT in the interest of ALL Americans. Do you really believe in Freedom of Religion? This forum didn't send that message.
Reason 3 – McCain's comment about "After 9/11 we should have . . ". Would have, could have, should have. Hindsight is 20/20. Where was McCain encouraging enrollment in the Peace Corp? Where were any of the politicians encouraging Americans to drive less, recycle more and be better World citizens? I know of one politician. Gore. To both candidates I say find your own bandwagon if that is possible for a politician. Though you both claim that this is not about you, I say you lie. Don't give in to the peer pressure of money. Believe in the greater good rather than your own ego. Would you sacrifice all to serve this country?

I am disturbed that a minister is an acceptable narrator in our political process. It smacks of other countries where the clergy are a dominant part of the government. Has anyone read "The Family" by Jeff Sharlet? Are the evangelicals our nation's only moral compass? After reading "The Family," I am concerned about them being a major lobbying group, as represented by their elite level, for the Republicans.

Warren told them both beforehand the type of questions he was going to ask. What would you expect him to ask them about? Obamaites, get over this delusion about McCain knowing the questions. Obama just stammered his way thru another sorry interview.

McCain acted presidential.
Obama did not.
When you compare these men side by side, Obama appears weak.

He really should consider having Senator Clinton as his running mate.
If not, he won't have a prayer.

Too inexperience, too radical and too many skeletons in his closet

Picking Hillary is the only way. If the young Obamaniacs get over accept this fact, the Convention can be an emotionally unifying success.

Too many people strongly share this belief for anything else to work and guarantee November turn outs.

mccain is a war hero because he was a POW not by anything he did. check out his history – he was even being considered for war crimes –
everytime he mentions being a POW , i am reminded that mccain said he did not love his country until he was a pow. so a white man growing up in the era he grew up in when whites had all the advantages, couldn't find a way to love his country until he suffered at the hands of another country. how many minorities have suffered at the hands of their own country, yet stil love it. mccain was asked if he was comfortable in the "cone of silence", yet did he admit he was not there. PS, just wondering, in a cone of silence can you still be reading off the internet or blackberry -

I was really excited about the interview and outcome of the Warren interview with the two candidates. I love to watch the many news channels for various opinions. I must say that I watched Warren on the Fox Network with Hannity, and the pastor allowed Hannity to guide him into a discussion about (what else) Rev. Wright. Warren told Hannity that he would not have remained a member of Wright’s church afer hearing what was said through various news clips. At that point, I had to look at Warren with new eyes and listen with new ears during the Larry King interview. Once Warren gave an anti-Obama view point, he showed bias. I would have preferred that Warren not comment about what another pastor says in a church unless it was considered criminal. I am now very dissappointed that Warren allowed himself to be (now) used as a sound bite for Hannity when it comes to Obama.

All these statements by all you Democrats are so typical. Because McCain did very well, and stomped Obama, now it is he cheated, or he must have heard the answers. I am sure you would have said the same thing if Obama had done well and McCain had not huh? Yeah right.

Next of all, all you Democrats that say that McCain is the same as Bush are hypocrites! It is ironic that he got his name "maverick" almost solely by the Democrats because he opposed Bush quite often. But, now that he is running against Obama, he is the same as Bush. Yeah, he was the same as Bush. He opposed the Bush tax cuts, he ripped Bush on the war on terror and Iraq, he opposes torture, he worked with Feingold and Kennedy, etc...Wow, so similar.

David, you must be one of those that are impressed with old stories and quick answers. I for one do not want my president thinking of forty years ago and shooting from the hip. I want my president to think before he acts, not acts before he thinks.

After watching Obama's hour with Rick Warren I thought seriously for the first time that I might have to change my vote for him. I thought that McCain would be no match for Obama's charisma and presence. Then after watching McCain's hour I was impressed with how energetic and pertinent he appeared. I particularly liked his answer on what Americans should have been told to get involved in after 911. I like them both and think anew how vitally important it is for each of them to get it right with their VP choice.

I beleive every white voter should think twice before he or she votes in Nov. . I have seen so many pictures of Sen. Obama and his staff , that I as a white Americian feel I cannot let an unexperienced Black man and a group of black people run this great country ,and be President . I'm sorry but I beleive in someone with some kind of experience, than a man who just promise change.Change is a word that means something different from what we have, and since President Bush is not running for President I beleive Sen. Mc Cain can also bring change along with Experience.

Look, I am all for hearing both sides of the story but honestly I have heard enough from a very weak experienced candidate in Barack. I would rather not give away our country, give away all my tax money, encourage and allow 4th and 5th generation welfare, promote socialism, destroy capitalism and break the spines of the American people. I am not a big fan of McCain either. Just because you fought for this country and survived a POW hell means you automatically get to be president. These 2 candidates are so weak in so many ways that this election really is a comedy of errors. What it shows me that the right candidate for the job was too smart to put themselves in the light of the liberal left media. It is truly a shame we cannot have the kind of candidates we want. Here we are again picking the lesser of 2 evils. One who has a record and is somewhat predictable, the other no record and shoots from the hip unless he is spoon fed what to say by his 300 staffers who know more about the country then the candidate.

I guess for me it boils down to one thing and one thing only. Life occurs at conception and if you are pro-choice it boggles my mind why you would consider being pro-choice......

Let me leave you with a thought.....take a moment to seriously think about this......the person who carried you and brought you into this world.....would you have liked them to choose to not have you.......see....its like this......that life is not given a choice.....and the person who chooses to take the life away is being selfish and wreckless.......I am sure I will hear that I am clueless or I dont get it or I am not a woman or how dare you tell me what rights I have and dont have.....all I am saying is you lose all rights at conception.....you abort...you are killing and that is murder.......if you can have that on your conscious then so be it......I cannot.

Thank you for listening and I encourage any responses should you like to....

I was never a big McCain supporter in the primaries, but between Barack Hussein Obama and McCain I will be pulling for McCain. I could NEVER vote for BHO who has never voted on any major legislation, sponsered any bills. The only job he ever had was a community organizer, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are both community organizers also. I would have McCain answer the phone at 3AM anyday.

Don't get me wrong, BHO give a good speech, but he cant walk the walk, and I need a president who can walk the walk. I can't wait for the October suprise to come out and see his campaign emplode.. then I will sit back and enjoy it all along. BTW I am black and proud and have no HOPE in Obama.

In the primaries John McCain was never this quick on the questions and answers, makes you wonder !,
And mind you lets face it.. he babble about old war stories , saying the same stuff over and over on any topic it has to come back to vietnam. iam sooo sick and tired . can we talk ISSUES McCain , oh yea!! the republicans have none.

is the public going to buy into old WAR stories , last i check IT doesn't create jobs , fix healtcare ,solve the energy crisis. and put FOOD on the table.

We apparently did not hear the same verbal exchanges. Obama answered thoughtfully. McCain answered from his talking points and blatantly targeted the message to the audience present. Obama's thoughtful answers and McCain's canned ones convinced at least one in our party listening to change their vote to Obama. None changed to McCain.

It amazes me the the far left are all to willing to allow a clear defeat in Iraq with their talk of bringing our soldiers home before the region is ready. That would be a clear victory for the Taliban. And if, for one moment, the leftest think the Taliban will give up committing genocide and bombings, including on US soil, then they don't understand what the Muslim Religion teaches.

There will be no sitting down and compromising with the Taliban and their followers. They will do anything to bring down Western Society. Not just in the US.

Yes, this is a terrible time we are living in, but if we want our children and grandchildren to have a free democracy to prosper in, we must stand united with the rest of Western society and take this faction out of power.

We need strong leadership to see us through this time, not someone who thinks that we can come to some type of middle ground. It won't happen.

To "Arachnae", who wrote "that’s not the issue. When not prepped and rehearsed to a fare-thee-well, McCain freezes and looks momentarily like a doddering old man".

I think this is more self-delusion, and/or generous amounts of the Obama-ade.

One PLEASANT surprise from the blog comments here, though, is the lack of the usually-predictable "the ONLY reason you don't like/won't vote for Obama is that you're a racist". Tripe and rubbish.

Why don't you just admit that you're just a mouth piece for the GOP. McCain is the most insincere moron I've ever had the displeasure to listen to. He just keeps repeating his stump speech and doesn't have any sincerety about the words he is saying. It's like he feels this election has already been decided and it probably has. I believe democracy is dead in America and has become a military institution bent on world domination.

Americans need to start looking beyond the fact that he couldn't keep his plane in the air and lived in a POW camp. These things may make a patriot, but not a president. John McCain is simply doing the bidding of the same group of people that brought you eight years of George Bush which everyone admits was a mistake. Now the American people seem poised to make the same mistake again. Its going to take more than God to bless America.

Good thing I'm not American, though I live closer to your disaster then I find comfortable.

I wish Americans the best, but only if you make the right decision this November and stop shooting yourselves in the foot.

Sincerely,

A Frustrated Canadian

I saw the forum and thought they both were pretty good...it's interesting thatb the bar is set high for BO but low for JMcCain...you would think just the opposite because of all McCains's " so called leadership and national security experience". In most instances BO answered the questions and tried to provide the reasons behind his response. McCain in most instances provided non-answered that consisted of the same stmts found in his stump speeches. A rapid response to a question or situation does not make one a great leader. Everyone talks abpot all the press BO receives, but no one including the press eve presses McCain about his record, his misteps or mistakes. His non-support of veteran's issues is a joke...he did not even take the time to vote on the last GI Bill...although he is quick to tell everyone about our "brave men and women". As a retired military person, I agree with Gen Clark...getting shot down and being a prisoner of war is not an indication of how you will function as a commander and chief or President. As with all human beings, some days we are 100% and more some days we are not. Rather than worry about someone taking a few seconds to respond to a question, I try to see if they actually answered the question and if I agreed with the policy. Ar this time I must say I still like the policies that BO has spoken about/listed in detail on his WEB site. McCain may not be Bush, but in all the major policy areas his positions are the same. I was a big McCain supporter in 2000, but not this year...the campaign he is running now is the same dirty/underghanded/mean spirited campaign Bush ran against him. After 8 years of be "afraid/very afraid" unless a Republican is in the White House, I look forward to some optimism

Americans have two horrible choices this year and it's going to boil down to one word: experience. Most Americans want a Dem but Obama is too weak and inexperienced. I respect HRC but she won't be able to save him, he's going to lose. McCain is unfortunately a Repub but he's an interesting capable guy and I think everyone was waiting to see how "senile" he really is. He did a great job on Sat. and I think more voters will break for him.

The Usual Democrat spin.

McCain. Answered questions well so he must have known the answers ahead of time!. (Read..Republicans are stupid and dishonest).

Obama. This was not a format he was accustomed to! (Read..he did not have his telepromoter so he had to think of things to say on his own.)

The comments on here amaze me. And we wonder what is wrong with our country. For instance, Obama was trying to give thoughtful answers. What? Are you kidding me?

Is that what a person who is running for President is supposed to do? I do not want to hear thoughtful answers. I want to hear the truth. I want to hear what someone believes in. I want to hear what someone is made of and what their principles are. I want for the candidates to mean what they say and say what they mean. Trying to make thoughtful answers means they have no backbone and do not have the guts to say what they believe. It shows lack of character. It means they are saying what they need to to please as many as possible. That is what is wrong with our country and our government.

Obama did not answer hardly any of the questions directly. McCain did. There might be a lot that did not like what he said (example: those pro-choice and homosexuals), but he said what he believes in. That is what is supposed to happen. Obama b.s.'d his way through it all.

I saw one man considering the entire world in his views (the constitutional scholar).

I saw another man pandering with his prepared stump speeches split into whatever he though "might" fit.

Obama '08 or we're all dead from World War III

That's a bunch of nonsense. John McCain, an ancient warrior, has done war, thinks war, acts war, will do war. Is that what Americans want? Please, God, no.

Jimbo

I have to tell you that I now know where my vote is going in November.
The Saddleback forum made it crystal clear that Obama needs to go back to the drawing board and get another 10 years under his belt before taking aim at the White House.

I was REALLY impressed with McCain and his clear and quick thinking. I would rather see a McCain go up against the "agressors" that are out there looking to do this country harm then an Obama.

What some commentators have called "thoughtfulness" I call lack of insight and wisdom.

Mr. Gergen. I have to disagree strongly with how you thought the evening went with the Pastor. Im a Canadian so I observed with somewhat of an open mind Obama answering questions thoughtfully and honestly. I think a strong leader has to weigh his views and it makes for wiser decisions.
While Im not sure McCain knew the questions or not is of no value.
He pandered to his evangelical audience with the flag and going out to defeat evil everywhere. He is not Superman, and I I were a citizen of your country, I would be very wary to support a man who can only talk about war, war, and more war. He also mentioned that they had achieved "victory" in Iraq. Someone should have definitely called him on that and if he knows how to get Osama Bin Laden why hasn't he done it?

I sure hope you people do not make the same mistake twice. You simply cannot afford it. Also he is always critizing Obame on taxing wealthy people . I wonder if the American people realize this is the first war in your history that taxes have not been raised. The Chinese owns your souls people.

Get with it.

Quite frankly I always thought that the polls were way too close and would, as they always do, tighten. With the economy, the Iraq war, the hate that many have for the GOP, fuel prices, and so much more for Obama to have had a 5-7 point advantage for a while is actually worse than Kerry was doing in may polls opposite to Bush in 2004 and while many are trying to paint McCain as Bush II he is not Bush himself. If Obama is 3-4 points up in late October this is a toss up.

Also, people talk about Obama's disadvantages when it comes to polling (for example cell phones) but what about the so-called Bradley effect? Obama polled almost consistenly 3 to 4 points better right before a primary then he actually did and if this is the Bradley effect in action it could happen once again.

McCain is in the center????? His answers were all very strong to the right. His stances on abortion and evil were very direct but left no room for people with a different opinion. Obama said that he was not pro-abortion but simply pro-choice. He talked about ways to reduce the number of abortions. His stances gave much more respect to opposing opinions. Obama was more thoughtful, what the reporters called "nuanced." I felt like his answers were far more realistic. McCain's stance on evil was scary. While he is so bent on destroying evil in the world....is he giving the rest of the world any chance to dispute what actually is evil and what isn't? Will he be the one to decide which causes are just? The thought is frightening.

This is all set and done. Obama, the black candidate attracks thousans when he talks and, for the first time in ages, Europeans cheered for an American abroad instead of burning flags.
McCain don't have a chance. Of course, put him in a church with McCain listening his answers, that should have been a massacre by McCain, BUT IT WASN'T.
Lets see what happens in a real debate when I think McCain is going to bang on the table worst than Nikita Kruschev.

My God! Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result! You republicans are saying the same damn thing, making the dang accusations and bullsh*t logical fallacy conclusions as y'all did when you rammed Bush down our collective throats. I thought you might have learned, but your ignorant arrogance, pride that prevents you from saying you were wrong, knows no bounds. You might just doom us to a continued downward spiral with more Bush-republicanism. Mccain is just more of the same–but I guess you feel we haven't suffered enough.

Its funny to see OB crumble without a cue card

Some comments are obvious very bias and spin. The fact is long known, Obama is a better speaker if he has to give a speech from the podium and McCain is a better speaker in a town hall format. That's why McCain wants a town hall type debate and Obama refuses. Likewise, Obama wants all podium debates and McCain will be forced to do a few.

Two questions were given in advance to both candidates. One of those questions was who he'd consult. Obama said his grandmother. That's a lousy person for our country's fate to hinge upon. A nice answer which nobody gave would be "I'd seek the opinions of the former presidents to add to my own experience and advisors' analysis" That's because Obama doesn't want to give credit to Bush Sr., and McCain doesn't want to seek advice from Carter, a disasterous president.

Sharon,

Are you kidding me? Obama did not bow to the conservative audience? One of the biggest issues to conservatives is abortion. Obama's answer...that is above my paygrade. What? We all know what his views and record on abortion are. He is the most liberal of all when it comes to abortion. He is not hiding anything. Why didn't he just have the guts to come out and state his views and beliefs? So, Obama cannot make a decision on one of the most controversial and important decisions in America? Shame on him. But, we are supposed to trust that he can make other decisions of equal importance.

I am an independent voter, a member of an evangelical church, white, middle class. I plan to vote for the best man and will not vote to keep the same crowd in office that have gotten us into this mess. I will vote for Obama.

Voting for McCain will be the same as voting for GWB in 2004, a very BIG mistake. If you want to keep us in the current mess we are in, just go ahead and vote for McCain. If he gets elected, we will see inflation of 20% (the man is an economic dimwit), continued war in Iraq and probably in Iran, continued deficit spending, continued selling of American assets to foreign countries, and continued borrowing from countries like China.

At the rate we are going, a good defense won't matter anymore, we will have totally sold our country to foreign countries, and they will milk us dry from the inside.

I am mad, I am fed up with this crap and will not take it anymore!!!!!!!!!

First of all, it wasn't a joint appearance. Second, the 17% that represents the Christian fundamentalist point of view gave us George Bush - twice! We have lived through their brand of politics for 8 years. Obama's faith held up very well in front of this crowd. That's all he was expected to do. Third, expectations for McCain are so low that anything he does is great. He's an affable guy but he is shallow and we need to go deep.

This was not exactly a side-by-side appearance, and the audience was
tailor made for John McCain. The people who were for McCain before
this event are still for McCain.
I know that there is a need on the part of the media to heighten the
drama and increase viewership - and I'm ashamed of David G. for being
part of it.
McCain will never win this election. a) The American people are ready to
vomit up the G.O.P.., b) McCain is far too old and looks pale and sick
beside Obama, c) the GOP smear machine is going to overstep.

David, Can't you see all McCain wants is 4 years of paid vacation in the white House (that is after he starts the cold war to keep us busy). All he talks about is war, we don't want another war. Ask McCain to tell us what he can do, not what Obama can't do.

McCain has yet to demonstrate any significant momentum in this race. Nationally, McCain's ceiling remains at or around 44-45%. Barack's floor remains at or around 45-46%. However, most polls have shown a fairly consistent, stable 5-6 point spread. Maybe that sounds close today, but if Obama wins by 6% on November 4th, it's going to be a blowout in the electoral college.

The next few weeks are going to be tough on McCain. As he picks a running mate and attends his party's convention, Americans will forcefully be remind of one hard fact: John McCain is a Republican.

Look for McCain to get a history-defying negative poll bounce out of the RNC.

In my opinion, this event was just plain bogus. Mc Cain evidently had a preview of the selected questions and had the opportunity to rehearse his timely answers. This should've been investigated and plastered on the news because if it was Barak Obama, the media would've had a field day trying to discredit a good man's charator and intergrity. There are a majority of people who can clearly see through this misinterrupted event. The old saying, "You can fool some of the people some of the time but you cannot fool me."

I don't see the tide moving in McCain's direction at all David. And I really don't feel it would be to anyone's advantage. Regardless of how one perceives McCain the truth will not change. He is a Loyal Republican. In fact, the most loyal Bush had during his Campaign. He has demonstrated his similarities to Bush. They are both war mongers. And McCain will continue the war and dole out more American dollars if elected. He may even initiate another war!

You can try to lead the horses to water but you can't make them drink. McCain will not witn this election. The reason being he is too much like Bush. Their intellects indeologies, egos, arrogance and need for power to prove themselves are equal. McCain offers no change except for the possibility of a much greater level of disaster.

and, uh, Jo Ann, being able to think about a question beforehand is a huge advantage...of course he's not going to "steal" Obama's answers! But your metaphor makes no sense, sorry...

McCain clearly did a better job answering the questions, because he believes in what he is saying. What many have called thoughtful answers, I and many others saw as vague, and dancing around each issue. Clearly McCain believes in his positions, and Obama appears unable to even convince himself of his ever changing positions.

Mr Gergen!

Way to go!

Someone noy afraid to write it like it was....

thank you jeanette

David Gergen. Right.

Right.

Give me a break! If John McCain would ever cut with the "Vietnam" crap he wouldn't have anything to say! Talk about being stuck in the past and not knowing what we need for the future.

Oh!... and I wish to heck that someone would go out and buy him a new hat....something NASCAR maybe?

McCain is a nothing but a joke as far as a Presidential candidate goes, but he's a PERFECT Homer Simpson look-alike. DOH!!!

It would appear that CNN is supporting McCain. McCain IS FALSE and nothing but a puppet fror the GOP. He doesn't have a mind of his own. He panics.

Not debating McCain early on may be the BIG mistake for Obama. He did poorly against Hillary and she had to hold her punches because they are both Democrats ... McCain won't have to hold any punches and the debates will be way too close to election day for Obama to recover!

While I love all the drama this "debate" and others create, the blogs on the topics are always a little disturbing. Why do some of us continue to insult the others opinion, regardless of prefered political preference. We all have the right to say who did better, or who we like more, but I'm not about to insult half of America by saying Republicans or Democrats suck or are stupid, or whatever other insult comes to mind. I respect both candidates, McCain for his service to our Country, and Obama for his zeal and bringing in a whole new generation of voters. I hope regardless of who wins, America will unite behind the next POTUS, and become a United Nation, not a divided by party nation. I'm not undecided, but I think both did well in the interviews, and I think both are great people, and I hope they are both and will be (whoever wins) great leaders.

This is yet another article that gives McCain the edge. As Noam Scheiber has pointed out on The New Republic blog, Saddleback is McCain country – evangelicals are solid McCain supporters, so why isn't more being said of the great fact of Obama's invitation and participation, not to mention his inherently greater challenge in answering Rick Warren's questions, given that he disagreed with the audience and Warren on many discussed issues, while McCain did not.

[...] Gergen asks "If the tide is turning?": "There is no evidence that he lost ground through Saddleback. Moreover, Democrats can [...]

[...] David Gergen: Heading into the candidates’ appearances on Saturday night at Saddleback Church, the conventional wisdom in politics was Barack Obama should have a clear upper hand in any joint appearance with John McCain — one the young, eloquent, cool, charismatic dude who can charm birds from the trees, the other the meandering, sometimes bumbling, old fellow who can barely distinguish Sunnis from Shiias. [...]

[...] David Gergen can always be trusted to spout the conventional Beltway wisdom, and if that CW is right, Obama is in trouble. He didn't win over any new converts during his talk with "Pastor Rick," says Gergen. Also, McCain's campaign is picking up [e.a.]: [...]

[...] In an extensive CNN analysis, Republican David Gergen, who advised Presidents of both parties in the White House, noted that the game has now changed given a variety of factors, including McCain's recent appearance with Obama at Saddleback Church - and that it is now conceivable McCain could win the White House: Heading into the candidates’ appearances on Saturday night at Saddleback Church, the conventional wisdom in politics was Barack Obama should have a clear upper hand in any joint appearance with John McCain — one the young, eloquent, cool, charismatic dude who can charm birds from the trees, the other the meandering, sometimes bumbling, old fellow who can barely distinguish Sunnis from Shiias. [...]

[...] I have discovered even the most soddenly conventional of all MSM purveyors of conventional wisdom – David Gergen – is sounding alarms. And now  Zogby is reporting a five-point McCain lead in the summer (when the [...]

[...] David Gergen reluctantly admitted that, at Saddleback, "McCain showed that he can be a much more formidable and effective [...]