MondayMorningInsight - Leadership & Encouragement for Church Leaders

Rick Warren and the Candidates… What was your take?

Posted by: Todd
Posted on: Mon, August 18, 2008
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(77) comments so far

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OK... how many of you got to watch the Saddleback Civil Forum on Saturday night? I watched as 'my good friend' Rick Warren gathered the candidates, and I have to tell you... I really was surprised.

No offense, Rick... but I really thought you would ask some pretty boring, safe questions. But I was very encouraged to hear him ask questions like, "What was your biggest moral failure; what Supreme Court justice would you NOT have appointed; and a straight-up question about abortion.

I came across feeling differently after watching both candidates, and I'm wondering what your take is... what did you think of the forum? Who was the real winner? (My personal take: the real winner was Rick Warren). And how does this change the way you think of each candidate? I'd love to hear your comments...

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Jeff on Mon, August 18, 2008

We can carve this thing up until the cows come home, my friend, but the bottom line is that McCain bested Obama very badly! Warren’s approach proved to be very insightful - ask the same questions to both so that the viewers could compare and contrast. And what a comparison and contrast!

During the primaries I got to shake Sen. McCain’s hand and look into his eyes and get a glimpse at his soul. My words to him were profound… “Thank you, Senator, for your service to our country.”

Come on now, we’re talking about the presidency of our country! If we have only two choices, I think the forum on Saturday night made abundantly clear who is more qualified to lead in these troubled times.
Pastor Matt on Mon, August 18, 2008

Pastor Shane - I have found it in re-runs late at night on CNN labeled “Political Forum”. Set your TiVo:)
Jeff on Mon, August 18, 2008

I’m glad that Ron Roy refused to give his opinion. Especially about Rick Warren and his book!
Monte Sahlin on Mon, August 18, 2008

I agree with you, the real winner was Rick Warren. What a refreshing. new approach to Evangelical leadership!!

As to the candidates: McCain was undoubtedly helped some in solidifying the conservative Evangelicals behind him, but I think Obama won a much greater edge by demonstrating that he is clearly a Christian and many (if not most) Evangelicals can feel free to vote for him. He destroyed a lot of prejudice that had been distributed in the Christian camp by right-wing manipulators.
Andrew Dow on Mon, August 18, 2008

No matter which side you tool in ths discussion/debate, those of you living in the United States should be grateful that this kind of opportunity takes place whithin the Christian Church. Here in Canada, any church that would dare host a national political debate would instantly be labled as interfering with the political process.
Jonathan on Mon, August 18, 2008

Pastor Tony,

While Republicans and Democrats tend to disagree about whether or not it is a woman’s choice to make, they are united in a desire that the number of abortions be reduced. I hope that the Democrat’s current push to reach out to evangelicals will result in the two sides finding ways to work together on their common goal rather than cynically using the issue to manipulate voters.

My general thoughts: I really liked the way Warren emphasized, at both the beginning and the end, the value of civil discourse and resisting the urge to demonize your political opponents. That’s a message that both sides need to hear if they are really interested in the best interest of our country.

I thought McCain did a good job saying what his supporters and potential supporters want to hear. There were a couple of things that especially caught my attention. The first was McCain’s answer to the question about what was the greatest moral failure in his life. I knew the true answer was the failure of his first marriage, but I wasn’t sure at first if he was going to give that answer. I was pleasantly surprised that he did. The other was in answer to the question about adoption when he related the story of Cindy bringing home their adopted daughter from Bangladesh. I thought that was a testament to the strength and fidelity of his second marriage (as a counterbalance to having bailed on his first marriage)…that they made adoption a part of it. I didn’t think he should have kept apologizing for telling anecdotes. The combination of telling so many stories and drawing so much attention to the fact that he was doing it highlighted his old codger liability. The commentators of Fox were emphasizing how McCain was often answering the questions before Warren even finished them. I think the commentators were complimenting him, but that wasn’t a good sign in my opinion…though his supporters probably liked it. Personally, the past 8 years make clear to me the dangers of a president whose viewpoint is so oversimplified and black and while that it is a caricature of reality.

I thought Obama did an OK job though I doubt he made any significant gains and agreed with the Fox commentators that he didn’t make a winning play on the abortion question. Maybe it wasn’t possible for him to do so given his positions on the issue and those of his party, but that was one of his main openings that this venue provided. I also thought he should have mentioned Al Qaeda at least in passing in his “is there evil” answer, though I wish McCain would have also mentioned a few other examples than just Al Qaeda.
fundyfailure on Mon, August 18, 2008

Todd,

I think McCain had the HUGE advantage because he is a republican at a forum hosted by an evangelical church. Not really sure what the “purpose” was. Most people in the room already agreed with McCain on abortion, and most of them believe that is the only issue that matters. We could also assume that Obama would tell us what we wanted to hear because he wants the “religious right” vote. Not sure it really made any sort of impact.

Matt
Pat on Mon, August 18, 2008

I liked the idea of a forum as opposed to a debate and the fact that they (or at least John McCain) couldn’t hear the other person’s responses.

Unfortunately, the more I listen to John McCain, the less I like him. I think he realizes that he’s not very personable and he just comes off like a politician to me and not very genuine. Obama is also a politician, but I admire him taking a stance that might not be popular with certain segments of the population. I would rather have a candidate that takes a stance even if it’s an unpopular one instead of flip-flopping to suit whatever group they’re addressing.
Karen on Mon, August 18, 2008

I watched the parts I missed at cnn.com
Dr. D. on Mon, August 18, 2008

As much as I would like to be positive in all this, I must be realistic: When one looks at Jesus and the apostles in their dealings with government and the like, they simply did not jump in/mix-why because God’s world is not this one. I am not saying Christians should not be involved to some degree, but where does one draw the line????....

Rick Warren has become an anti-christ plain. He tours the world, makes a great name for himself and chases those who are anti christ persons and powers and seeks to draw them into christianity and vice versa. With Warren being such a problem for Christianity, I dare not even begin on that closet Mohammedan, anti American, anti christ Obama and Mr. liberal, go wither the wind blows McCain.

America and her people and her powers of governance have kicked God to the curb. It is for Christians to serve and save people, not try to save a government that is anti-christian.

Sadly, Rick Warren, Tony Campolo and growing host of others are being de-listed from a growing number of Christians who understand that Warren’s way is not Jesus’ way at all. One cannot in honesty to Jesus and His Word mix the world of man with the world of Christ-to do so causes one to be cast into the anti-christ domain.
CS on Mon, August 18, 2008

I caught only part of the McCain interview and then had to get summaries of the Obama one. I have to admit, I was surprised by what Warren asked, thinking that he wouldn’t talk about abortion and such. It kind of made me eat some of my words from an earlier post.

However, it was the lack of follow-up questions that perturbed me. Warren would ask a good, hard-hitting question that would get the candidate’s minds working. They would take the time to respond. But then he would never ask them to elaborate. For example, with Obama and abortion, I wish he would have followed up with a, “So is it then wrong to kill babies?” type of question. Or, similarly, to ask McCain as a follow-up, “Why would you then even consider a candidate who would be in favor of abortion?”

I wish he would have stuck with some of the questions and had some hard-hitting conversation, instead of moving onto the next question.

—

CS
Brian L. on Mon, August 18, 2008

CS,

I can see why you would have preferred the follow-up questions you suggest, and I think plenty would agree with you.

However, those kind of follow-ups would be perceived as attacking - and would, I think, detract from the “civil” part of “civil forum.”

The questions should be asked and answered. I don’t think that this particular forum would have been the place for them.
Leonard on Mon, August 18, 2008

Since they were both asked the same questions the format did not allow for extra dialog concerning their answers in order to keep it a fair treatment of both.

At Least Dr. D figured out how to season his speech with love and grace. Reminds me of the song… you give love a bad name…
Jim on Mon, August 18, 2008

Rick Warren kept the interview interesting and on task. Senator McCain prepared well to answer with brevity and in a way that would play well with Christians who try to live their faith. Senator Obama appeared to approach the interview in a more relaxed fashion and did not show that he had prepared to answer to convince viewers that he anticipated the “best” answers for the audience. Brevity rather than elaboration would have served Obama better. McCain demonstrated that Obama must consider him a serious candidate. His answer to the question—-who is rich—-was classic. Obama asked the real question: are we prepared to meet our maker today? We need to get our house in order today rather than letting the next generation pay. (We know not when we will die….......)
Jim on Mon, August 18, 2008

My favorite part of the program was when Warren grabbed the 45 ACP from the Secret Service Agent and shot the three invading terrorists as McKain was attempting his answer to one of the questions. I thought I would hear more about this heroic action on FOX News, but they seemed to ignore it completely, as did the other news organizations. My wife said it was due to the Lortabs I was taking after a second back surgery, but I still appreciate Warren shooting down the terrorists, as well as the reptiles that were coming through the walls. Thanks Rick! I slept better that night.