Mike Pouraryan
The Saddleback Civil Forum w/Barack Obama & John McCain (The First Hour)
:
Faith, Morality, Freedom and Our Society
Pastor Warren began the first hour of the forum with Senator Obama. Unfortunately, I missed the first 10 minutes of the session where the question he asked was on the 3 wise men that have had a profound impact on his life and his profound failures of Character. I did find Senator McCain's response interesting on both count....but more on that later on. On the question of faith, there was no question that he embraced his faith with no reservations in anyway, shape or form. He told the world that he understood his faith to insure that he acted justly and lovingly.
The question from Pastor Warren was when a fetus acquires human rights. Senator Obama told the world that he was pro-choice. His view was based on a fundamental belief that women who decide to have abortions do not come to such decisions lightly. But, he noted that alternatives should be explored to not have 40 million abortions since Roe v. Wade became the law of the land. What Senator Obama talked about was a culture shift that allows women choices. Pastor Warren also brought up Marriage. Senator Obama told the world that he believed that marriage was the union between a man and a woman. He did not support a constitutional amendment due to his belief that it was states' rights issue.
I found Pastor Warren's question on the existence of Evil simple, yet straightforward. He asked whether Evil existed and how it should be dealt with. Senator Obama's response was that "..we have to be soldiers to eradicate evil..and have humility in how we approach it." Pastor Warren then went on to talk about the courts Once again, the question was quite simple: Who would you not have nominated to the Supreme Court? The answers were not too surprising: Justice Thomas and Justice Scalia. When the question of the Chief Justice came up, Senator Obama was a bit puzzled because the Chief Justice has tried to be a consensus builder and make decisions on rather narrow grounds. Senator Obama was troubled by the apparent willingness of the Court to be quite deferential to the Executive despite the original intent of the framers whereby they wanted to insure that a system of checks and balances was maintained.
As I continued watching the forum, I was again struck by how Pastor Warren asked Senator Obama about taxes. Pastor Warren asked Senator Obama how he defined rich. Senator Obama retorted that being rich meant selling 25 million copies. The Senator was alluding, of course, to what Pastor Warren's book has sold throughout the world. He then became serious and laid out his view: folks making over $ 250,000 per year. Senator Obama noted that if the people wanted good schools, good roads and a chance to go to college, some sacrifices were going to be at hand. He reminded the audience of the cost of the war in Iraq as well. Sending 10 billion dollars a month without any accountability just did not make any sense, in his view. There were discussions on other moral dilemmas faced by the world: Orphans (some 148 million of them), religious persecution in the world and human trafficking again underscore the moral underpinning of the discussions. For instance, Pastor Warren noted that human trafficking is a 32 billion/Year industry and some 27 million people are in bondage and in the sex trade. The need to have a worldwide commitment to fight it was underscored.
The final question by Pastor Warren was another simple one: Why does Senator Obama want to be President? He wanted to expand opportunities and insure that the American dream was as self-evident and realized by the existing generation as for future generations. As they concluded and the audience acknowledged their participation, Pastor Warren invited Senator McCain to the stage and Senators Obama and McCain embraced each other.
As I reflected upon the discussions, I noted how Senator Obama was so comfortable talking about his faith. I sensed a profound level of understanding of the predicament and the challenges before him as they approach the convention. The answers were mostly philosophical and reflective. Besides the issue of taxes and the judiciary, there was not much specifics per se that was discussed. Everyone needs to remember that these guys are human. They are not the messiah. It took a while to get here. It will take a while to get us out of this. I sensed that from Senator Obama's comments.
The question from Pastor Warren was when a fetus acquires human rights. Senator Obama told the world that he was pro-choice. His view was based on a fundamental belief that women who decide to have abortions do not come to such decisions lightly. But, he noted that alternatives should be explored to not have 40 million abortions since Roe v. Wade became the law of the land. What Senator Obama talked about was a culture shift that allows women choices. Pastor Warren also brought up Marriage. Senator Obama told the world that he believed that marriage was the union between a man and a woman. He did not support a constitutional amendment due to his belief that it was states' rights issue.
I found Pastor Warren's question on the existence of Evil simple, yet straightforward. He asked whether Evil existed and how it should be dealt with. Senator Obama's response was that "..we have to be soldiers to eradicate evil..and have humility in how we approach it." Pastor Warren then went on to talk about the courts Once again, the question was quite simple: Who would you not have nominated to the Supreme Court? The answers were not too surprising: Justice Thomas and Justice Scalia. When the question of the Chief Justice came up, Senator Obama was a bit puzzled because the Chief Justice has tried to be a consensus builder and make decisions on rather narrow grounds. Senator Obama was troubled by the apparent willingness of the Court to be quite deferential to the Executive despite the original intent of the framers whereby they wanted to insure that a system of checks and balances was maintained.
As I continued watching the forum, I was again struck by how Pastor Warren asked Senator Obama about taxes. Pastor Warren asked Senator Obama how he defined rich. Senator Obama retorted that being rich meant selling 25 million copies. The Senator was alluding, of course, to what Pastor Warren's book has sold throughout the world. He then became serious and laid out his view: folks making over $ 250,000 per year. Senator Obama noted that if the people wanted good schools, good roads and a chance to go to college, some sacrifices were going to be at hand. He reminded the audience of the cost of the war in Iraq as well. Sending 10 billion dollars a month without any accountability just did not make any sense, in his view. There were discussions on other moral dilemmas faced by the world: Orphans (some 148 million of them), religious persecution in the world and human trafficking again underscore the moral underpinning of the discussions. For instance, Pastor Warren noted that human trafficking is a 32 billion/Year industry and some 27 million people are in bondage and in the sex trade. The need to have a worldwide commitment to fight it was underscored.
The final question by Pastor Warren was another simple one: Why does Senator Obama want to be President? He wanted to expand opportunities and insure that the American dream was as self-evident and realized by the existing generation as for future generations. As they concluded and the audience acknowledged their participation, Pastor Warren invited Senator McCain to the stage and Senators Obama and McCain embraced each other.
As I reflected upon the discussions, I noted how Senator Obama was so comfortable talking about his faith. I sensed a profound level of understanding of the predicament and the challenges before him as they approach the convention. The answers were mostly philosophical and reflective. Besides the issue of taxes and the judiciary, there was not much specifics per se that was discussed. Everyone needs to remember that these guys are human. They are not the messiah. It took a while to get here. It will take a while to get us out of this. I sensed that from Senator Obama's comments.
Obama needs new religious advisors and fast if he expects to keep up with McCain. And McCain had better make sure his people can ensure that the points he made last night get sufficient ink and air time.
Obama's legalistic, hedging and dodging style might be fine if he was running for a state AG's slot, but not for the presidency. This is where McCain's straight talk had it over him by miles above.
Not that McCain was perfect. He couldn't seem to wrap up his tax ideas more clearly w/o having to repeat himself. But he didn't mince words on the moment of conception for protecting the life of the unborn, the recognition of an dealing with evil and in general a whole slew of other issues.
McCain acted like a guy who wanted to WIN. Obama acted like a guy more interested in running out the clock. In this case, McCain cleaned it and handed right back to him.
I, too missed a few early moments of Obama's. But from judging the rest of the performance, just as well. His backers should be VERY concerned.