Obama and McCain to Share Stage at Saddleback

Rick Waren and Barack ObamaThe New York Times is reporting that Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren has pulled off a political coup; major party presidential nominees Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain will attend an August 16 event at the Lake Forest-based megachurch.

Obama attended an AIDs conference at Saddleback a year ago with Kansas Senator Sam Brownback.

Pastor Warren suggests that the two will briefly share the stage at the same time.

From the article:

Mr. Warren’s event will have as a co-sponsor Faith in Public Life, the multidenominational religious group that held the Compassion Forum at Messiah College in Grantham, Pa., in April, featuring Mr. Obama and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton in Pennsylvania during their primary fight. Mr. Warren said he would devise his questions with input from the Muslim, Jewish and Christian leaders associated with the group.

“Since I’m their friend, I’m not going to give them any gotcha questions,” Mr. Warren said, adding that a typical query would be, “What’s the most difficult decision you’ve had to make, and how did you make it?”

8 Comments

  1. Wow – this is pretty big for Orange County!!!

    I like the photo above of Senator Obama.

    Anyone know if it will be open to the public, televised or webcast ?

  2. Dan,
    Warren has been trying this sort of sham presentation for years. It is for himself , not for any caring he has about anyone or anything. To the extent that it will help Sen. Obama show Saddleback churchgoers that he is not a “socialistic-muslim” bogeyman , I applaud the appearance. But I am still telling you that it is another one of Rick Warren’s egotistical self promotions. And I thnk that it will help McCain, more than Obama.

  3. Lefty,
    I believe the church is currently trying to figure out how to work out tickets, though I hear there are 6,000 seats available. Also to the best of my knowledge, the event will be broadcasted on national TV. And if it’s on TV, it’ll probably be online 😉

    Eric,
    I wonder how you can be so sure that Warren is a putting on a self-promoting sham. Have you ever gotten to know him, his deeds, or achievements beyond occasional headlines and articles?

    And regardless of his reasons, if something good comes out of the event, I don’t see how it matters all that much.

    Orange County tends to be conservative, and people tend to look for evidence to back up what they already believe. So sure, the appearance may help McCain more as more people in the area are predisposed to like him.

  4. You will love this !!! This is why it matter that much for those who do not know. As usual the world know it and americans are barely noticing it is in their own back yard. I kind of seen it like a pattern of overconfidence? or should I say self-centerness. America does not revolve on politics as many seemed to believe. The greatest things in life are not touchable. Love, honesty, TRUTH. The event will be televised nationally on major networks. The second largest selling book in History besides the Bible is Rick Warren book “The Purpose Driven Life” It is quite amazing how GOD [there is only One True GOD] is directing the life of Rick Warren that even the Catholic Church has come up with the catholic purpose driven life book since many interdenominational persons are buying the book. I .

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