Thanks for posting this video. I did not get to see it originally and I just sat through the entire thing. I have not been enthused or inspired with McCain up to this point. My brother and his wife are fervent supporters of Obama. But I am so glad I saw this. McCain comes off very direct, candid and statesman-like. It felt very much like watching Ronald Reagan and he is obviously a better speaker that George Bush. I was inspired and encouraged by McCain. Obama, who has the reputation for being inspirational and charismatic, appeared tenative, defensive and overly nuanced. Whereas McCain clearly had passion and commitment.

That's my 2 cents.

Is there any topic or any happening that Rick Warren does not his nose into? I am personally tired of him.

Ironically, the previous post was on "Burned Out Pastors". Could it be because Rick Warren is our new model for a pastor--successful in every endeavor he touches, able to leap tall buildings, the answer to all the church's problems? Meanwhile, the average poor schlub is doing his or her best to keep the folks in the pews.

Personally I was impressed to see both McCain and Obama pressed by insightful and well directed questions. Additionally, I believe Warren was able to put both at ease.
In a anti-Christian world I was grateful to hear bible reference and politics cross in a open conversation with out making Christians look simplistic and simple minded. Most importantly, McCain knows his purpose and it is obvious. A man of God his hard to find today in the ranks such as McCain! The story he told about the guard while in captivity where the enemy guard made a cross in the dirt was of biblical inspiration.

In closing McCain Has the wisdom experience and decernment to lead a country of Christian walk.

I disagree that McCain came off direct, candid and statesman like. He pandered to that conservative Orange County audience like nobody's business. He knew what they wanted to hear and he said it. McCain has flip-flopped on so many issues in the past, how can we trust that what he said that night to that audience is what he will really do? Also, he didn't answer some of the questions, instead telling one of his stories, which were totally designed to sway the audience based on emotion, not facts.
I did not take Obama as hesitating, I took him as thoughtful and intelligent. And, I thought his answers about faith were much more real and credible, coming from someone who had thought a lot about his faith. One commentator pointed out that Obama had mentioned God and Jesus several times. McCain only mentioned God once, Jesus never.

I agree that Rick Warren did a great job. I thought he was poised, clear, direct, time-conscious and congenial enough to provide an air of ease to an evening where he asked some very pointed, difficult questions. Unlike Hybels' interviews with famous people/politicians, I didn't get any air of self-satisfaction from Warren. I appreciated that he framed some of his questions with Scripture, and that he was good-natured enough to laugh at Obama's "I'm not the one who's sold 25 million books," comment.

Just wanted to add that on the Political Machine blog on AOL, it was pointed out that Warren and McCain later admitted that there was no "cone of silence" for McCain, as Warren talked about. McCain was in his limo riding to the event, and could have heard the questions in advance, as some in the blogosphere are suggesting. This would have given McCain an advantage over Obama.

McCain Pandered to that conservative, Orange County audience”? I thought Rick Warren’s church was a progressive congregation leading the way in Evangelical involvement in African AIDs issues, Child slavery and other humanitarian causes? I would not marginalize them with a dismissive “that conservative Orange County audience”

What you call pandering, I call direct answers with no equivocation. When asked if life begins with conception he said yes. Not, as Obama, “that’s above my pay grade”. And what does it mean when Obama says, I’m not for abortion but it should be free and legal for all. Or, yes I believe in faith-based ministries but Churches can’t just hire people of like-faith. What’s the point of calling them “faith based” if they have to hire people of no faith? You may agree or disagree with McCain, but his answers were direct and passionate. And Rick Warren said it best, sometimes what people call flip-flopping is wisdom that comes with new information. Rick did an excellent job, keeping both on track, displaying no bias and conducting himself with humor and grace. He seemed to have a rapport and respect with both...as did his congregation.

As someone who has been firmly committed to Obama since Feb 5, and still is, I did think he was playing it a little on the safe side, even if he was being thoughtful and responsive. I would have preferred to hear a forthright, 'Roe v. Wade properly defines the rule of the STATE intervening in the matter of abortion, now let's remove as many reasons motivating a woman to have an abortion as we can, but ultimately, if you REALLY want to make a woman determined to have an abortion change her mind, be there at the clinic ready to sign adoption papers.' But that's my opinion, maybe its not his. Likewise on federal funding to faith-based operations, I'm more libertarian than Obama is: I don't believe in tax deductions for charity, I don't believe in federal funding of faith-based operations, and I definitely don't believe that the government should tell a religious organization who to hire or how to hire (except no pedophiles left in charge of children, etc., where there is a crime committed). But, its popular to mix it up between faith and federal funding, so, as long as we're mixing, he did OK. It is ALWAYS going to be a question how far a church can go imposing its standards on a federally-funded program, which by definition must be open to anyone... As to McCain, I don't trust anything he says, especially on matters of faith, since he seems to say whatever he thinks will get him elected, rather like Hillary Clinton.

But Jim started out praising the way Warren handled the program. Yes, he did a great job of putting concerns of his faith out there, without being partisan or committing the church to a political position, and he did it with style. He really has brought his "conservative Orange County" congregation a long way by preaching the whole gospel, not just selected parts of it. I sort of wonder who he is to be such an influence beyond his own pastoral sphere, but if people love his book and listen to what he says, it's a free country, they have a right to do that. At least he is humble enough to continue subscribing to The Wittenburg Door even when they poke fun of him.

As a Christian I'm never suprised to see others post comments playing spiritual kick the can at another leader doing their best for the Great Commision. The key point: doing their best seems to be over looked. As Humans we love to pick apart others charactor defects and point out the obvious. We are gifted and empowered to utilize our gifts to advance the Kingdom, without being ashamed of the gospel. Pastor Warren raised the bar. Edified the Body, and did it with Grace and Humility. I'm certain He sleep well afterwards. Not sure the other gentlemen could honestly claim a clear and faithful state of heart, mind and spirit.

I enjoyed the format and I was pleased with the way John McCain respponded because this is the true way of how he lives, and believes regarding the questions asked. I found Obama was not sure of what he believed and searched for answers that he thought would please his followers. He missed the whole point but showed his true self. He does not know what he believes and that is sad. A great eyeopener.