CNN

Beware of an ambush by Sean Hannity, he and Warren are friends.

Obama 08

The most plastic church on the planet. Cindy McCain will feel right at home there.

I support the Obama demand for a variety of styles of debate. McCain's singular demand for the format that only suits his campaign is clearly designed to give us only a one-dimensional picture of the candidate, rather than the complete person.

Enough of McCain's double-talk smoke and mirrors approach to this election.

Taylor 5:18
I could not have said it better!

I understand why McCain is going, but I don't understand Barack. This is not the right county, or the right church for the DNC.

Obama 08

Realize that left leaning publications and right leaning publications will support their own. The right leaning media and blogs have plenty of double talk and cruelty on their side. Add that to a change of tactics on the part of McCain where he is mounting a negative campaign, something he said he wouldn't do, and no one should have anything to complain about here.

C. RICE WHO GOT HER NAME AND ALL THAT MONEY SHE MAKES OFF ALL OF US.........IS GOING TO VOTE FOR OBOMA......KNIFE IN BACK TO REP. COMMITTEE....SHAME ON HER........ SEE WHAT RACE STILL PLAYS IN THIS ELECTION???????
DOES NOT MATTER THAT HE IS A JR. SENATOR. IT IS THAT HE IS BLACK.....
HOW MANY TIMES HAS SHE SAID WE NEED TO CURE AM. AND THE RACE CARD?????????
WHO IS THE FIRST TO BITE???????

i really want the separation of church and state as well. It will be hard to unring the bell, but I think we should try.

GOOD SIDE BY SIDE PEOPLE WILL WAKE UP..
I HOPE THE MEDIA ASK HIM TO WALK ON WATER.......
MCCAIN WILL SHINE SHINE SHINE.......

Yupik1 July 21st, 2008 4:08 pm ET

Where's McCain's flag pin
------------------

Had to crack up about that one I guess he is not patriotic enough too should the media blow that one out of proportion? I should hope... if asked I guess he would say something to the effect of " my friends! that does not matter what matters is that I was a POW" LOL

Watch your back Barack,

Orange County is Reagan Country. I'm sure you're brave enough to take it. Heck, you may have a few voters there.

Having Obama and McCain on stage at the same time really works to Obama's advantage. The contrast between the taller, athletic, intelligent, and youthful Obama standing next to the shorter, older, and less well spoken McCain, will favor Obama heavily.

Well, politics aside–Orange County is a great place for visitors. They will fall in love with it's beauty–the mountains, the beaches, the ocean. Great place for a wonderful forum.

Hope Barack, and McCain get a change to stick around for awhile.

Pastor Warren will be an entirely gracious host. There is a good chance of Obama being elected. They want to and will make great partners in many joint projects to come.

Honestly to be the president of the us require a lot of effort and not just that : I went to war and I have more experience.

You have to work to get it.

French people are very happy that the us came to rescue us however you republicans should feel ashamed of what you did by electing someone ignorant like George bush.

Republicans are too arrogant when they are presidents...

This guy doesn't even listen the united nations and also the European countries like France and Germany which were oppose to the war from the beginning.

May be Mc bush were thinking that Iraq is Afghanistan and that Saddam Hussein is ben laden.

How knows?

merci

I don't think, unless either candidate has a major gaffe, that this forum will hold much sway with most evangelicals. Warren doesn't have that much clout in the Christian conservative community; he goes after a different crowd.

If Warren is trying to soft pitch McCain, he should be careful, it could backfire. It seems to me like the Rick Warren crowd could be impressed if Obama says all the right things. If Obama is on top of his game and comes off as sincere, it could be a mild boost for Obama.

McCain will school Obama

Hispanic for McCain

You Obama haters need to calm down. He will debate (and wipe the floor with him) McCain once he is the nominee. Wait till after the convention and you will get more than you wanted from debates.
Obama 08

Citizen Watch,

Voting is your right–Godspeed.

Obama 08

As an Obama supporter, I think Barack should be careful here. I also like that he is doing this, it is gutsy to march right into enemy territory like this. Orange County is a major Republican stronghold, so the crowd at this church will be slanted towards McCain. I trust Barack to give thoughtful, intelligent answers to the questions he will be asked. If the host stays true to his statement, and asks honest, good questions, I think this will be a good forum to hear what both candidates have to say.

OBAMA '08

The last time Barack was at Saddleback Church,it was for an Aids Convention. He told the audience that he would not concede the church to the GOP. He said that he was at home at Saddleback because it was God's house. I really liked him.

Pastor Rick was very gracious to him, and that's why he is coming back.

America 08

PUMAs (IF you really exist – because we all think you are posing Repulicans) Take your anger, your decision to leave the party of your first choice for your chosen issues, and your irrelevance and channel it into something that is positive. It's old, It's tired, it's obnoxious, and it's not getting anywhere.

Warren pretends to be neutral, but he is clearly Republican. The only issues he talks about that might be considered neutral is the environment and aids. The rest is right off the Republican platform.

I have stopped reading these comments for about three months mostly because I could no longer stomach the doubletalk and cruelty of many Obama supporters. I return and I find that the doubltalk and cruelty continues. You criticize others for the very same "crimes" that you commit. Your thinking reminds me of Mickey Rourke's cousin in "The Pope of Greemwich Village" – completely amoral unless he feels victimization. Because I am not happy with either presidential nominee, I was not going to vote. When I see the mentality of Obama supporters on forums such as this, I realize I will probably have to vote for McCain.

I don't think the church understands the news media that's going to circle like vultures. They should have just invited McCain. It's going to get crazy.

Brandon: This is a conservative pro-life group it will be fun to see obama squirm and pander. They will not be voting for him in november this will be comical.

The problem with your sorry comment is that Obama doesn't squirm or pander for or to anyone. Anybody really listening would know that. He will be unafraid to state his view even to a crowd that won't agree. That's called integrity. Something cheating / keating / gw repeating McSuck probably can't even spell. (894 out of 899!!!!!! for crying out loud)

Barack should have declined. Rick is going to make fun of Jeremiah Wright and put that whole issue back in the news. I would have respectfully declined.

Actually, Rick Warren seems to be a very nice man. I watched an interview with him and he seemed open to finding the common ground with Obama. John McCain can't even decide what religion he is. (He was Episcopalian for years, now he says he's been a Baptist for years (even though he didn't know you were baptised in the Baptist Church). He always says, "I don't want to talk about it". Obama talks about faith all the time. I think this debate will be an easy one for Obama.

Saddleback is a great church. People should come an visit and give it a chance.

Monica: No we wont, No we wont get over it because if we were we would have by now- No this anger is going all the way to the ballot box.

I love Barack, and think he's brave. McCain has a built in support system, Barack doesn't. My vote, my money, and my support goes to Barack Obama. He wants to make a difference, and I think he can. He will be our next president in November and I can't wait.

David will meet Goliath at Saddleback Church, and I'm betting on David.

I think they should both appear together on an episode of "My Name is Earl".

Barack will need support because this church is so Republican.

I trust Rick Warren to hold a meaningful discussion with the candidates and trust that he will not engage in a "lovefest" on either side. I want straight answers on issues like poverty, education, AIDS, cancer, prisons, etc. And I like the fact that they will be coming from a Christian commentator, who sees issues differently than mainstream media.

What happened to SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE? Is this country in trouble...........

Hillary where are you? ROLL CALL!

What happened to SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE? Is this country in trouble.....................

Barrack isn't man enough to answer questions with McCain in front of even this crowd. Obama should feel comfortable here with as many churches he has given political speeches at.

LOL, Barack is ahead, he doesn't have to debate. You're crazy. If McCain was ahead he wouldn't give Barack the time of day. I don't like McCain.

sigh... I miss Hillary I hope the DNC take the chains off her and she is allowed to speak at the convention.

The more the American people see these two side by side, the more obvious it will become who are next president will be. We need someone who inspires, with character and prestige.

McCain is a good man and a Hero. But he doesn't represent what America is anymore.

America has changed, and I think when you see how these two carry themselves, It will be obvious that Obama has what it takes.

Obama is not worthy to share any stage with McCAIN period!!!!

Latinos can smell a RAT miles away!!! and that is OBAMA!!!

Hispanic for McCain!!!!

please Obama, McCain has shown no honor is the race. after all of Mccains lies...it is time to take off the kid gloves. McCain has so much dirt from the USS Forrestal to his Military records he refuses to release.

There is a difference between arrogance and confidence. The look u see on Obama's face is one of Confidence. He's a black man in america one step away from being the potus. He should hold his head high. Arrogance is ugly, it kinda says i'm better than you. To me McCain and Cindy are the arrogant ones...and all their millions of dollars they have in their account. Maybe some of u people posted blogs should get some confidence in urself so u can notice the look of a confident person when u see one instead of being intimidated.

Go Barack!!!

Good, now when people look in their eyes they will see War in McCain and change in Obama

Obama should not lend the prestige of the presidential office to a blowhard like McCain by appearing on the same stage with him.

Just as sonn as Obama makes up his mind to what they want to hear, he will tell them . He is a serial flip flopper and will do or say any thing to get elected. He has flip flopped on FISA, abortion, gun control. public financing, an undivided Jerusalem, church based institutions to deliver public serices to the poor, the war and deployment of troops (now going to send them to Afganistan),teachers pay and social security taxes.He has his finger in the wind and just as soon as he see or feels any change he goes with the change. Little or no back bone, just the same old politican that we have been hearing from all of the time.

I thought the name of the church was BrokeBack. Why is mclame not wearing a flagpin in this picture?

McCain can only talk about being against abortion. He doesn't have any other Christian views to hang his cane on.

Phil July 21st, 2008 4:34 pm ET wrote:

Everybody seems to forget that Saddam and his sons were terrible people, they tortured, killed and raped thousands of Iraqis. But when it comes to Liberal causes they want America to help everybody but when it comes to military action they change their mind. How about saving Darfur? Once we have exhausted all diplomatic avenues and it comes down to sending in UN forces or our own troops the Liberals will turn on that cause and get mad that we are using force.

Okay so did N.Korea's president, The Chinese government killed theor own citizens, but we did not invade them, why, because we would got our butts handed to us. And the reason the Bush Administration has done nothing for Darfur is the same reason why we did nothing to Saudi Arabia even though most of the highjackers on 9/11 were from there because they are in bed with the Sudan government. Has nothng to do with Liberals. The Sudan government keeps giving the US govt leads on where to "find" Al-Qeuda higher ups to make it seem like we are actually doing something in the so called war on terror, and in return, we turn a blind eye to what they are doing to millions of people. Dude your an idiot and know what you are talking about before you decided to speak.

Is McCain going to stick to the question at hand or go off as usual on a tangent against Obama or on Iraq? That's the only 2 things McCain ever talks about , you know.

I think this will be great to watch. Everyone tape it, it will be a part of history. All of you hillary supporters, you need to get over it and move on. You were the whiners Gramm was talking about.

Heck, McCain will probably stay at Warren's place. Warren is so Republican. This is a joke.

McCain just mentioned a border between Iraq and Pakistan today. He's no Mr. Foreign Policy.

Warren will NEVER give John McCain tough questions because he's for John McCain. This is a setup.

John knew Barack would ignore his pleas for a townhall meeting, so he called his buddy Warren. What a joke.

What I would give to be there to watch this! Obama and McCain speaking at the same place... It's a no win situation for McCain

check mc c´s ear piece, he´ll probably have one to hear joe lierman tell him what to say, sorry! no teleprompters flipper.

For the all the people complaining about all the Pro Obama postings. Has it occurred to you that many more people are excited by the hope of Obama as opposed to the negative fear,smear,gloom and doom of the rebups. More people want change as opposed to McSame the same same.

Don't Be Scared McShamealots
It's going to be alright
BARAVK THE VOTE !!!

I did not know Chubby Checker, worked for the Obama Campagne. This Idiot is twisting everything...Borack Obama voted for Nothing.. Because he was not there..Idiot......

The author of "Purpose Driven Life" is a nutcase. He's also GW's buddy. That says it all.

If Obama has two chins, then McCain has fifty.

I can't wait to see this.

I wonder if McCain will lose his temper like he usually does and attack Obama.

Dear Kathy,

Sound like sour grapes already. Honey, you just wait until November. He will lead this country first and get us out of the mess that the GOP created.

Oh and he will be going to Africa and doing a whole lot more for that continent on a humanitarian level than Bush ever did.

Would someone please call this election off--we just cannot have a 100 year old President-maybe there will be a miracle at the Republican convention and they'll pick a real candidate--I know the Republicans have just been fooling us up until now.

Hum... Not sure I am cool with this ... Church and State is supposed to be separate. I don't think that Obama should have to entertain McCain’s conservative audience... These self righteous people gets on my nerves however, another opportunity for America to see John and Obama right next to each other... shouldn't be hard to pick who one would like to represent the US... Obama 08

Obama is too scared to have a town hall meeting. What sound does a chicken make? Barrack Barrack...ha ha

He wants a teleprompter and a big crowd, gawd forbid he has to answer real questions and the media's not going to ask him any real questions.

He's not good at debating either, Hillary beat him everytime!

The power of a president. I'm sure this whole meeting was GW's idea. He probably called his buddy Warren to set it up. This is not good for Barack as Saddleback is a redneck church.

You all hate Mccain but this is what is see....

Obama is for taxes
Obama is for abortion
Obama is for affirmative action...

Who sounds better now!!!

I'm sure this makes McCain happy, after begging Barack for months to have a townhall debate. The Gods are truly smiling on him now, but wait until November.

Warren's sole purpose for this meeting is to make McCain shine, which is hard to do.

Obama 08

Too bad there's no market for a vaudeville show.
These guys would be a hit if we didn't have to take them seriously.

McCain is Mr. Foreign Policy? He doesn't even realize that the Czech Republic and Slovakia are now 2 countries.

This guy is too senile to be President. Maybe he can retire (and he can take that annoying little weazel Lieberman with him).

I don't trust Warren as he will be a mouthpiece for George Bush, and the Republican spin. How much did John pay him to set up this showdown?

What is wrong with you people?? Mccain and Obama both deserve our praise for making the run for what arguably is the most important elected office in this world. This debate will be good as it is not a media "owned" event and may actually show us the differences in ploicy and ideas that these men have. Those of you calling names need to step back and take a real look at each candidate.

To the ones saying that the comments are all for Obama, I suppose you didn't read most of them and hey maybe more Obama supporters look here then Mccain supporters.

Also, to the fool who says Obama would sit down with Hitler. you show your ignorance by invoking the feared name once again just like all of those who have no real idea what they are talking about. Yes Saddam was a bad person but are we really going to play world police to get rid off all of the bad people in the world. The war was wrong and you know it. The fact that Obama has stated he wants to try diplomacy before he attacks someone should make you feel better. Or would you rather he make up reasons and try to sell a war instead of actually thinking.

Ask yourself if you have actually looked at what Obama or McCain are saying they will do before you start make comments about them. Go to their web sites, look at their voting records, watch the debates and interviews they have done. Until you actually look at these things and stop talking from the emails, the conservative talking heads, the liberal nutjobs or that old guy you work with then you have no real ground to stand on.

THINK FOR YOURSELF!! The media is only entertainment these days, get the facts.

I hope this is televised. While Senator Obama is open about his faith and speaks of it often, Senator Mccains seems to be a secret. Or maybe his has not come under the kind of scrutnity that Senator Obama's has.

Can you add one more question?

Ask why Viagra is covered by insurance and birth pills aren't.

(the devil made me say that – HA HA HA HA)

Dear Mike, TX–

News Flash- Obama is the presumptive nominee of the DNC. He is legitimate. You on the other hand are not.

I'll check back with you after Baracks' win in November.

Knowing what I know of Rick Warren only from family members who have been sucked into the cult of multi-level marketing (Warren's book is a bible to motivational "pushers"), I can't say I am necessarily keen on the interview aspect of it. Knowing that Obama will handle that interview with his consummate grace and dignity, though, and that McCain will fumble with memory and history gaffes, I am not much concerned that this will affect the outcome in November in any way, shape or form.

Mike, TX

You should come to France racist,

That is why we don't like people like you in Europe, people who want to live in the old time.

Wake up joker.

Obama is far from to be a racist. How could he be a racist if his mum was white?
Look o ridiculous you are, honestly some of you don't stop to amaze me.

merci beaucoup (thank you very much)

Rick sounds like John McCain in his invitation to Obama for town hall meetings.

McCain should feel right at home at Saddleback, it's red, rich, and racist.

i can't wait for the village idiot "McWar to get on stage with someone with a brain.

McWar should take a lesson in English and Geography in the next couple of weeks.

Is this the same McWar that challenged Barak to go overseas?...be careful what you wish for McSame.....he's got the news coverage.

I forsee a lot of retraction from McWars handlers...."he really didn't mean what it sounded like.".....oh yah

I think you mean the: "Platform"....

Dear Mike TX,
YOU make race relations so difficult to improve, not Barack's faith. You're a joke.

Saddleback Church is McCain territory. Yeeha!

Very smart marketing on Warren's part. If you want to draw a crowd in this election season, you'd better invite the GOP opponent. Otherwise this would have been a yarn.

Or maybe Warren just wants to invite McCain, whom he supports, and Barack for news coverage. Vert smart.

i can't wait till Obama rips McCain a new one in any debate shape or form because McCain can't do debates very well. HIllary was the best at debates but Obama got much better. I really do wanna see Hillary rip McCain in half in a debate but Obama will do!

It's hard to believe the comments included here: "What's up with McCain's left cheek?" and "Is McCain really planning on staying up that late?" and "McCain is not worthy to share any stage with Obama."

...and not to be outdone:

"Obama is a coward!" and "Obama will do anything to get his mug before a camera. He's so in love with himself. Maybe he should go campaign in Africa." and "Hopefully, McCain will take advantage of this opportunity to expose Hussein for the lying, pandering phony that he is now and always has been."

This is the voting public?

Hey Lynn,

The average donation to the Obama Camp. was $68.00, How many special interest groups you know that go around making $68.00 donations?

The only special interest group here is the American People. By the way I rather have the Whitehouse sold to American People than Exxon and Haliburton.

can't wait to see obama inspire the audience. can't wait to watch mccain read words robotically off of a telepromter, while saying "my friends" a lot. vote obama.

If Warren is smart he'd better let McCain speak first, otherwise most people will leave after Barack speaks.

I don't want to see these two share a stage unless it's for a debate or town hall meeting.

Although, I'm sure Obama will try to figure a way out of any debates or town hall meetings for as long as possible...otherwise, his candidacy will be exposed for the farce that it is.

I hope the Secret Service will be there to protect Barack, it's not the best area for minorities.

I am sensing some thinly veiled rascism in several of these comments-right Kathy?
If you are afraid of an African-American President, have the guts to say so.

I believe in the separation of church and state, particularly when it's a Republican church with a Republican pastor.

Well, this should be great for McCain, he gets to talk to GW's buddy Rick Warren. Obama on the other hand, should watch his back.

I just read McSame's op-ed that the NYT rejected. I understand why they rejected it. They also said they would be happy to print a true plan of McSame's if he rewrote his op-ed.

His op-ed that was rejected, was nothing more than an attack on Obama. No plan of his own, just that Obama was wrong about this or that. the same old attack the other guy and offer nothing of your own, no ides, no plan, just attacks. But then again, if you have no plan, then attack is all you have.

Poor John McSame, he just doesn't get it. You have offer a plan, an idea, an alternative.

I see a Landslide coming in November.

Dan, this in no way forces religion on anyone. There are many religious people in the country and they deserve to have their questions and concerns addressed same as everyone else. And for the record, I'm an atheist.

I hope Senator Obama will be our next president!

That church is not very inviting for liberals, I mean with all it's talk of saving the world, it's not a great place to worship.

With McCain not knowing sects in the Middle East; economy not is major skill, computer illiterate, oil drilling as his only answer to high oil prices and his belief that Pakistan and Iraq share a border THIS SHOULD BE FUN - I can't wait - don't forget the popcorn this is gonna be a blow out.

"upik1 July 21st, 2008 4:08 pm ET

Where's McCain's flag pin?

Good catch. OMG, McCain's a Muslim Terrorist!!! How unpatriotic! He hates America!"

This just in, It is true that Obama is a Patriot he is a wearing a flag pin, McCain is not because he is not wearing one. Lets burn him at the stake until he does.

when they are on stage you can tell them apart. Obama will be the one who is awake.

Obama = Jimmy Carter

Everyone will regret voting for Obama, just like with Carter.

People will wonder why they ever bought into his empty promises.

Sure hope they ask McCain about his minister so we can go through 30 years of his sermons with a fine-tooth comb. McCain does have one? Sure! I mean he must. Certainly he wouldn't be a hypocrite who criticizes his opponent's religion without having one himself. Of course not.

While Michelle is in etiquette school Barack can ask Hillary for a few tips at debating as well.

I don't know, Orange County, CA is pretty racist. I hope Barack's team knows what it's doing.

Question: Do these guys really want to take a chance appearing at a religious gathering seeing as how preachers just don't tend to work out in either of their favors? Hope they're both vetting the people they'll be seen on-stage with.

President Bush ranted and raved all during his Campaign about the close relationship he had with his God. He wasn't Pres a year till he Shocked and Awed Iraq nearly out of existence. He choose bombs vs. dialogue. I'm sure God had no place in that conversation. It was George talking to George. I say lets hear what Obama and McSame have to say. I"d like to know before they get to Office if Christian is just a name like it was for Bush or if they really walk the walk and talk the talk. We sure could use some Undenomination Christian Principles given our world today.

Rick Warren is a staunch Republican who pretends he's neutral. I don't know how well this will work. The deck is stacked against Barack. We'll see.

OMG!!! I cannot believe that the old, white, pale Irish guy wants to be seen next to the young, tanned, energetic looking biracial guy! The man has guts! I'll give him that. And some Metimucil if he needs it

Well – I'm sure you'll do much better against McCain then you did against Hillary.

Play it safe – you definitely are smarter than a 5th grader!

I agree with Phil.

Try to keep your teeth in John, you old goat.

Good Luck Obama I hope you've practiced on your debating skills

Please don't make a fool of yourself!!

Bad news for McCain. Would you want to be speaking before a LIVE audience with Obama speaking at the same event? This will be like combining the Lawrence Welk show with LIVE 8. Which do you think will look better?

Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Good things from now

We are going to fallow the debate in Europe between the war monger called by the democrat and the empty suit called by the GOP. Mc cain you should buy you a brain, take some medication to be awake because this is not the primary and you are going to be clashed this time.

By the way you shouldn't think that you deserve to be president just because you have been persecuted.

Hom many soldiers like Rambo have been kidnapped and tortured in Iraq since the war. Does all of them have the qualities to be the next us president? joker

Regarding you Obama you should carry on like you did in the different debates that you had with hillary, however try to smile a bit but look serious most of time because the media portray you as a rock star and someone who just want the fame.
Also be ready to have some surprised questions by the GOP.

In Europe we don't want an other republican, we are to tired of this.
The GOP don't like to use diplomatic actions. Its only since their fear of obama that they try to use diplomatic actions against Iran or other country.

We don’t say anything but we fear mc cain because he is a war monger.

Thank you cnn

Good move. It's about time dems learnt to appeal and aggressively court those value voters. Does anyone doubt that if McCain were to trade some of his family background (divorced, not a church goer, etc.) with Obama that McCain would not be 10 points ahead and probably headed for an easy victory? Repubs would have smeared Obama and paint ed him in the worst possible light - playboy, dead beat, heathen, you name it . But amazingly dems are too proper to win in such a down and dirty way.

now you mcsame supporters will see how stupid your candate is. since he wont' have lieberman to correct him when he messes up. the only thing he knows about is war. WAR IS NOT THE ANSWER.

Senator McCain will have a lot to answer for .
misjudgements and following party lines .Arizona land deals.
lobbyist that were part of deregulation of banking laws.voting along with Bush to allow UAE to have control of our maritime ports..
2 million dollars of investment in Sudan oil companies ,directly linked to providing Al Qaeda funds.going against Webb ammendment to the Gi bill flip flopping on that after you saw how damaging it was to your poll numbers.

not the kind of true leadership and experience we need. for our country , during these tough times.

Change 08

Mike, TX. Try to stop to be interesting because criticizing my comment and the comment of different people in the previous article prove that you are pathetic. I was just joking but why are you speaking you don't even no nothing.

Yeah I am French and doest it mean that I am irrelevant ?

Thank you

Looser and joker

Kathy@ 427....you REALLY are a racist full of hatred aren't you...he should campaign in Africa....I'm betting you one of those tired sore loser PUMA's!

Sharing the stage with Obama, will be disastrous for Mccain...He is going to look like a senile old man compared to Obama. It is going to be like the Kennedy/Nixon debate of 1960

Obama believes in God. He just thinks it's himself.

If I remember correctly Obama agreed to a debate in july but mcflipflopper refused after bashing Obama for not debating him. McCain, you wear me out. BTW do you have any plans on anything? Or is your whole strategy to criticize Obama so we all don't notice.

Kathy,

Nice racist comment...why don't YOU go to some 3rd-world country so someone can skewer you and put you on a spit to roast...you need to MATURE for awhile...

Left his sick for this one

To the person asking what was wrong with McCain's left cheek: he's had a malignant melanoma removed from his face...I thought this was common knowledge, but, there you go.

cnn why didn't you put my previous comments?
Thank you

are you making discriminations with us? dont forget we are your allies.

Thanks.

Can't wait for them to ask each candidate to name the first 10 books of the Old Testament. Obama will breeze thru, while McCain will stay stuck on Genesis.

Hasn't McCain slammed these God people "agents of intolerance" which I think they rightly are?

I'm not sure this is a good idea. I don't think McCain can handle the excitement Obama will bring to the event. Will Obama be held responsible if Johny Boy has a heart attack on stage?

good,it will be nice to compare the intelligence gap ,that is quite obviously in baracks favor.besides,im upset that mccain just moved our border northward,eliminating our friends,the former canadian people.

Oh, this is going to be juicy. Expect McCain to make some stupid, jumbled-up comments. And Obama to be eloquent, smart and smooth. Can't wait.

Good, Because if you thought McCain looks old wait until he stands next to Obama

This is a conservative pro-life group it will be fun to see obama squirm and pander. They will not be voting for him in november this will be comical.
Mc 08
Hillary 2012

yay another event where McCain can be against everything Obama is for and talk down to him for not being such "war hero" like himself and and blame him and the deomcrats for all that is wrong with our country and blah blah blah and brag about the "surge" yet ignore everything that led up to the surge. McCain sounds like an old burntout football coach that dreams of winner the big game for his own glory. I dont care about winning or losing becuase no one ever truely wins a war. Over 4000 dead to me is not a victory. Ive had it with my why or the highway politics which is what causes so much war to begin with we sanction and bully countries until they have had enough and start pushing back. War does not create peace it creates more war. Dont tell me you hate war but want to stay at war for as long as it takes to "win"

Brian from NYC July 21st, 2008 4:06 pm ET

Hey just another example of affirmative action in the long list of affirmative action victories for Barack Hussein Obama. First getting into college, then Harvard Law, then the law review, now affirmative action on the political field. NY Times feels the need to defend obama, not print opposing views, would that make Barack look wrong? There is no way we can question Obama's intelligence on the issue that would be disrespectful, maybe hurt his feelings

This may be one of the most racist, intellectually dishonest, sensationalist comments I have ever read in response to a political article.

I could respond in great length as to why that comment is completely insane; I could also just brush off your comment as irrelevant. But it's comments like this and people like you that perpetuate the stereotype that Obama's rise to political power has been a result of charity instead of hard work and sacrifice. Comments like yours belong in the same group of the uninformed that also believe that Obama is a muslim and a terrorist.

Do some research on the subject. You may be surprised that Obama's life has been full of dedication, perseverance, and honest work, just like everyone else irregardless of skin color or religion.

You should be ashamed

We all saw Obama's faith manifested in Rev. Wright. That kind of faith is what makes race relations so difficult to improve.

Obama's faith is in AFRICA. Has been for 20 years. His religion is one of victimization and handouts.

That Obama supporters cannot see this is proof that America has been dumbing down for decades.

For all you guys ranting that this is a violation of the separation of church and state...

Please keep in mind that you can choose to not attend this forum if it is not in line with your particular view. Just as you can choose to not attend the NAACP forum if you feel the focus is not in line with your particulare view. No government agency is forcing you to practice or endorse a particular religion which is what the concept (not a law) of separation of church and state is all about.

Just because you are a Godless liberal doesn't mean we all are...

I mistakingly wrote: "baa so libertarian and libertine anarchy", it should have read "...TO libertarian and libertine anarchy" and I severely mangled the spelling of "ecclesiastical", my bad.

What's up with this Jesus politics again? Have not the last 8 yrs been all about Jesus? Have we forgotten where Jesus politics landed us?

Bush and McCain should be arrested and thrown in prison for STUPIDITY!!!

They are purposely ignoring the fact that the Iraqi government is requesting a time table for withdrawl. CNN please get to the bottom of this by investigating this administration's foriegn policy. There is something else going on here besides blatant stupidity.

Beverly NYC.

Let McCain speak first that way Barack can wake up the crowd.______________________________________________

McCain can't even speak clearly, his written was rejected by NYTimes because he can't write.
Naive of you to think Obama will learn anything from MCCain' speech when in fact he doesn't speak without looking at the screen. All his speech were either written for him or copy into screen for him.

What to learn from McCflipflopper when he talks from both side of his mouth and he is for all issues and against all issues or against them and for them.

What to learn from MCCain beverly NYC other flip flop.

Well you will live to see Obama has your next president Of the United state of America. I think coward is not appropriate to call Obama or any candidate will stand out to represent America . Before they debate both candiate have to accept their party nomination. So it is premature to use these words.

If it was easy i bet you would have run for the president of the united state. So, be mindful of what you say when you can't even stand to run for councilor of your area.
It very naive to judge perople by colour.

Niddgea NFTIL

Yeah Clinton 08 VP we should elect them so that they can serve a 6? year term.

apparantly you don't know much about the president because they only have 4 year terms.

Senators get 6 year terms

If you are going to post get your facts straight.

Obama looks like he has two chins, what's up with that?

Legitimize Obama? He's the Democratic nominee for the President of the United States and polling ahead of McCain. He's already legit.

I hope they both agree to stick to the issues, and stop attacking each other. We are disgusted with all of these attacks.

DEMOCRATS UNITE!!!

Mike, TX "McCain should not appear anywhere with Obama except in a town-hall debate. No sense in legitamizing Obama."

Vote Nader "There are three other candidates. Were they invited? Did they decline? Did they accept? ** Nader/Gonzalez 2008 **"

Mike "the New York Times is going out of business..no longer relative"

Vig "Where's Hillary Clinton? She's the one who should be sharing a stage – not the sugar plum fairy."
__________________________________________________
Must be a full moon. The nut cases are out in force today.

And to "fallingInLine": When you say "Americans like me", you are using the term Americans quite loosely. Where do you come off calling Obama a coward – chiming in anonymously on the internet. That "coward" is going to be YOUR President come January.

yup... McCain who truly has no "from the heart" religious or spiritual affiliations is going to squirm uncontrollably.

What is that look on Obama's face? Reminds me of his arrogance on the floor of the House during the State of the Union Address when Hillary and Teddy graciously greeted each other but Free Ride showed his arrogance to Hillary. However, Hillary was magnanimous in the face of his arrogance. As a Hillary Democrat, I plan to vote for John and the republican ticket.

I read both essays and must say they are as different as day and night, McShame as usual is looking very foolish talking about Obama instead of issues..since Obama has been absent on his tour McShame has been just totally ridiculous...someone needs to tell him this is not making him look like a top candidate banging Obama all the time..he needs to talk about issues...however I guess that would not make much difference either as he knows nothing other than the war and doesn't know much about it..how could anyone vote for this man other than those that are quite racist such as the white male who said on cnn that " the only change he has seen a Black man make was with a can...how stupid.. Change will be made in America and the whole world will embrace it...not just Americans.

McCain folks – Are we sure the setting should be inside a church? After all the lies McCain tells I'm sure the clouds will roll back and lightning will come down from the heavens!
To all you Obama naysayers – One thing if any, regardless of your support – Please don't take him lightly or underestimate him as some-kind of naive politician. He is an intelligent, charismatic, confident, seasoned, thoughtful, & patriotic man of Integrity!

Obama 08

this is a good thing. The author of a "Purpose Driven Life" will come up with questions that go below the surface, beyond the "expected and anticipated" rhetoric. I for one will watch with great interest.

Why are they having these discussions at Messiah College, and being interviewed by a pastor? Are we now forcing religion into our country?

Obama will fall like a brick and very soon. His career has been built on rhetoric and liberal views. America wake up!!

"debate McCain "anytime, any place" and to do townhall meetings with McCain to answer real questions"

you must be joking??? to even imply that obama is afraid of debating john mccain is laughable, those 2 in a debate will be like watching an SNL skit-A COMPLETE JOKE!!!

and as for mccain's silly "townhall" meetings, do you have ANY idea WHERE mccain's holding his "townmeetings"??? try the conference rooms of large companies that are donating large sums of money to his campaign. so sorry, but they would NEVER let "real" americans like you and i in their building, forget asking questions!

if he had REAL townhall meetings, then obama would be there, wiping the floor with him, but as they are mccain's "townhall" meetings are a FARCE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can John McCain stay awake.

This old man he plays one, he play mix match on my thumb

Well you will live to see Obama has your next president Of the United state of America. I think coward is not appropriate to call Obama or any candidate will stand out to represent America . Before they debate both candiate have to accept their party nomination. So it is premature to use these words.

If it was easy I bet you would have run for the president of the united state. So, be mindful of what you say when you can't even stand to run for councilor of your area.
It very naive to judge perople by colour.

Niddgea NFTIL

AGIAN CNN is showing its pro OBAMA side. 21 comments to date and all pro Obama except 1! As the polls show, Obama leads by six points. With that margin, one would expect the same margin when it comes to posting comments. It just shows how CNN is trying to influence the vote. As stated by CNN, comments are moderated by them and may appear in the blog. I guess they only want to show ones that favor Obama and slam McCain. Wake up America! and see through the bull that CNN is spewing!

Hey Don,

He had cancer. Is that the best you can do is bash a man rather than have an intelligent comment.

Kim in Oregon, How often has Obama flip flopped? I am happy that he has actually made the trip over seas to talk with our allies and generals on the ground over there. Although I am sure he will not listen to what the general had to say. He will come back home and talk about how he is going to pull the troops in 16 months regardless of what is happening over there.

Everybody seems to forget that Saddam and his sons were terrible people, they tortured, killed and raped thousands of Iraqis. But when it comes to Liberal causes they want America to help everybody but when it comes to military action they change their mind. How about saving Darfur? Once we have exhausted all diplomatic avenues and it comes down to sending in UN forces or our own troops the Liberals will turn on that cause and get mad that we are using force.

Maybe we should not have used military force against Hitler either. We should have just had long talks with him at one of the death camps.

I am sure if Obama was President during that time he would have sat down with him.

GO McCain!!!!

McCain is not worthy to share any stage with Obama.

I find it disturbing that the White House can now be bought by lots of money and having the Media behind you as Obama does.

Anything McCain has to says is made fun of or flipped to the curbside.

The media is behind Obama and it shows, I just hope no one believes everything you read in the news. Please God let people use their own head to decide and not listen to the one sided talk of the Media.
We run this country, not the Media and not all those special interest group paying for Obama.

What's so "pro-family" about McCain? Last time I checked Obama was the true family man. Or maybe McCain gets more credit because he's been married twice?

Is there no such thing as separation of church and state anymore? Aren't we supposed to be at war with people whose church is the state? Why do these candidates keep throwing around church rhetoric, and now meeting at one for what we all know will be more of the same nonsense questions. I'm disappointed in Barack Obama. Mister Obama, where is your progressive platform that you ran on? Your movement of "change" which I and many others fell in love with had better remain, or I'll vote for Nader.

Way to go Pastor Warren! Its about time we had a civil "debate" more or less. We currently have only the medias' view of these candidates and we all know who they are pushing. It will be refreshing to hear a true Christian question and answer forum. I look forward to hear some honest answers( even if the candidate does get to review the Q's before hand). Maybe the dialogue will bring out some truths we can hold to be self-evident. Thereby providing us with a more intelligent basis on which to cast or write-in our ONE VOTE.

Did someone say stage? Alas! we shall know them by their fruit steps. Let the music begin.

To the few of you who are hanging on to the fact that there hasn't been a debate: OBAMA did agree to one on July 4th, McCain refused. So McCain proposed it but he's unwilling to compromise?
Calling someone a coward doesn't make your candidate brave, picking up a book and reading about him might. Typical Republican War Mongers. IT's all about bravery, Patriotism and flag pins!
Where's McCain's Flag Pin? unPatriotic.
There will be a debate soon, and when that happens, what will you bicker about then?

Can we PLEASE keep faith and politics separate?

If the candidates are meeting up with Rick Warren, I think it's only fair they meet up with Sam Harris too. He and Warren debated, after all.

i heard o bama made a quick drive thru iraq...... i wonder what kind of hamburger he picked up.....it's your money think about it//// true leadership....knows what they want.......with or without onions veep that

Mike, are there more than one mailing in? Each blog response from Mike are all different and in mixed statements. Try posting for one position or the other not just taking up space

Where have you been 'Don' ... McCain had cancer surgery on the left side.

Obama has McCain right where he want him now is time to crush the Warmonger.
Obama 2008

Hey Vig – please get therapy, you need it. Don't you just hate the fact that you can't blame her mismanaged campaign and debt on Barack? She couldn't even run her campaign and yet you want her to run your country? Please get help.

Hillary please help us.

**

Why doesn't John McWeekender wear a FLAG PIN...???

**

Great!! I'm looking forward to this one. Hope that we can really see and hear the real persons and not the precooked robots we've seen up till now on the TV in different "debates".

Obama will do anything to get his mug before a camera. He's so in love with himself. Maybe he should go campaign in Africa.

It should be interesting. Honestly, I don't think I've witnessed a campaign between two so different candidates. During my lifetime I've voted Republican almost as often as for a Democrat, but these two defy any historical perspective in more than just the obvious!

I'm not a McCain supporter but neither do I fall blindly behind Obama, however Obama does offer a sense of promise and progress for the future.

McCain, the poor guy, is a walking advertisement for the healthcare industry and the need for managed care! He's pushing old ideas, failed policies....sounds like a rerun of shows from the 50's...somewhat entertaining but not relevant to today!

The world of media is talking about an Obama gaffe and it was Mccain today who again made another gaffe in the area inwhich he supposed to have experience foriegn policy. Mccain said today on the Morning show, the border of Iraq and Pakistan. Iraq doesn't border Pakistan, its Afganistan. As much as Obama mentioned Afganistan and Pakistan who would think Mccain would have picked it up. Mccain didn't correct himself. This is how the media is biased. Its a media hunt for an Obama gaffe abroad while Mccain is dishing out gaffes left and right here at home. Obama is definately the person to lead this country in the 21 centurty. OBAMA 08

I'm looking forward to this. Something outside of the usual media interview that is either pro one side or the other. I don't believe that McCain is capable of participating in a civil and thoughtful format. He is constantly in attack mode and I think that given a microphone he will do just that, but one can always hope.

SO MCCAIN IS ACTUALLY GOING TO WORK TO GET MY VOTE ON THE WEEKEND. OH NO MIGHT I VOTE FOR HIM INSTEAD OF OBAMA WHO HAS WORKED TIRELESSLY FOR MY VOTE. WHO HAS BEEN RIGHT ON ALL RECENT FORIEGN POLICY ISSUES. WHO ECONOMIC PLAN DOESN'T CALL ME A WHINNER AND IN A MENTAL RECESSION. WHO DOESN'T THINK AN ATTACK IS GOOD FOR HIS CAMPAIGN. WHO THINKS ITS IMPORTANT WHEN OUR TROOPS COME HOME. WHO KNOW THAT THE CHECH REPUBLIC HAS BEEN GONE FOR 15 YR. WHO KNOW THE DIFFERNCE BETWEEN SUNI AND SHI'A. WHO DOESN'T MAKE THE FACE WHEN ASKED IF VIAGRA IS AS IMPORTANT AS BIRTH CONTROL. YEAH I'M THINKING OF MCSAME.......NOT

OBAMA 08/12

Napoleon was quoted as saying that, "God always favors the big battalions.". In light of Obama's fund raising success we may need to change that to "God always favors the big bucks".

Lana @ 4:08 pm ET

I'm too much of a stalwart Democrat to say "Obama = 2nd Carter term," so I won't.

Midgea NFIL

McCain reminds me of the tin man. He is so stiff, can he even bend?

Good deal. Kudos to the Pastor for wanting to ask real questions of substance...unlike the soap opera, jibberish that ABC and other networks ask during other debates. ABC had the worst debate ever and I will never ever watch them again.

well this should be interesting.
This time, Hussein won't have a carefully scripted speech to read from, filled with mindless blather that we've all heard a hundred times before, about how awful the USA has become, and how we have to change.... blah blah blah and yakkity yak.... a fist bump here, NO solutions there, and flip-flopping on positions everywhere.... Hopefully, McCain will take advantage of this opportunity to expose Hussein for the lying, pandering phony that he is now and always has been.

baa so libertarian and libertine anarchy! Breathe in and exhale the subterfuge not of healthy skepticism, but of misguided cynicism nihilsm and scatter shot relativity.

GRAMPA MCCAIN, CAN YOU READ ME A BEDTIME STORY INSTEAD?

UNITED WE'RE STRONGER

OBAMA (P) & CLINTON (VP) 2008-2014

NO TO "BUSH II" (MCCAIN), McWAR, "BUSH'S-INTENT-FOR-2ND-PARADE-IN-IRAQ"

Yupik1 July 21st, 2008 4:08 pm ET

Where's McCain's flag pin?

Good catch. OMG, McCain's a Muslim Terrorist!!! How unpatriotic! He hates America!

What incredible stupidity that a piece of metal can dictate your patriotism.

McCain wanted to go to war with Iraq since 1998 and pushed for the Bush war all along and he also helped push the faulty intelligence that got us into this mess. Now all he talks about is the surge. Look it up.

John McCain "got a major boost," ( according to this CNN writer), from a possible endorsement by a hate monger, who calls himself Christian? Not only does this reflect on the ugliness of McCain, but on the bias of CNN. Who could ever refer to such an endorsement as "a boost?"

The name of the church is Saddleback, not Saddlebrook

Same as there is secular public discourse and popular debate, I think that this more ecclastical relm is also a key constituincy.

It will be nice to see them together, but I think we need more separation of Church and State...

John's discomfort in this setting as compared to Obama will be clear.

the messiah has arrived and when he returns from the middle east he will announce that the war will end on his ascension to presidency.

CNN what is your problem about posting my comment. It wasnt inappropriate of out of line.
I would have thought you would have been please of the statement I made

Look out Grampy you old mule; this young stallion's going to run circles around you and make you look like the stumbling, bumbling, uninformed (study up now) and out of touch relic that you really are. Just make sure you don't call Pastor Rick Warren an islmaofacist – at least not to his face anyway.

Well Obama will win hands down if you don't ask about wars!!!

This is going to be great! Go Obama!

They're going to share a stage together before being interviewed separately?

This is as close as Barack Obama will come to keeping his promise to debate McCain "anytime, any place" and to do townhall meetings with McCain to answer real questions from Americans like me.

Obama is a coward!

Midgea NFIL

I think it's a great idea, since the republicans still do not believe that Obama is a christian, while they are convinced that Mccain is, as he pursuit his policy of winning"wars"

Can't wait to see this,
And CNN, please stop mentioning Dobson in your articles, it bring your article way down.

John McCain doesn't believe in God so this will be awkward for him.

I can't wait to see this event.

Obama '08

Where's Hillary Clinton? She's the one who should be sharing a stage – not the sugar plum fairy.

Saddleback Church

the New York Times is going out of business..no longer relative

I still don't undestand how 41% of people will be voting for a walking skeleton. The guy looks like he could keel over at any minute.

Get the name of the church right. It's Saddleback.

There are three other candidates. Were they invited? Did they decline? Did they accept?

** Nader/Gonzalez 2008 **

Let McCain speak first that way Barack can wake up the crowd

Has anyone read both essays?

Obama criticized mccain occasionally, but the majority of Obama's essay was an analysis of the situation in Iraq and what he would do as president to remedy it.

Mccain's essay was a 2 page rant on Obama. Practically every paragraph mentioned Obama with some criticism attached. I think all but 2 paragraphs had Obama's name in it.

NYT was right to reject it. This was not supposed to be an attack piece on each other, but an explanation of where they stand.

Go figure it would happen to Mccain – he was a D student after all.

i'm not at all happy about the religious apsect of it, but if this guy truly does what he says he's gonna do, it could be interesting. they could not be more opposite on the topics they mentioned.

it'll be interesting to see WHICH john mccain shows up; mcflippityfloppity has changed his opinions so many times i'm sure he cant keep it all straight in his head.

Where's McCain's flag pin?

McCain has been seen with Bush Sr.

McCain = 3rd Bush term

The Obama campaign will get right on that, to make sure that their candidate does, in fact, appear to have a purpose-driven life in time for the forum.

Oh oh! A quick look at the calendar indicates that 8/16 is a Saturday. I guess Sen. McCain has decided to work on the weekend this time.

Is McCain really planning on staying up that late?

Whats up with McCain's left cheek?

McCain should not appear anywhere with Obama except in a town-hall debate. No sense in legitamizing Obama.