WASHINGTON (CNN) - The Rev. Rick Warren said Thursday that his upcoming forum with Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama will be aimed at asking them tough "heartland questions."
The author of the best-selling book "The Purpose-Driven Life" is to interview McCain and Obama on Saturday.
The candidates will appear together at Warren's 20,000-member Saddleback mega-church in southern California.
"Well, I'm a pastor, not a pundit," he told CNN's Suzanne Malveaux on Thursday's "Situation Room." "One of the things we're going to do is I'm going to ask identical questions to both candidates, which will be different.
"I'm not going to play 'gotcha' with one candidate and not with the other. This way, it will be totally fair. You compare apples to apples," he added.
From CNN Politics
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Thank the lord!
Someone with a clear head on their shoulders it sounds like, unlike the bs gotcha tabloid journalism we see so often.
Chest-thumping, irrational, bumbling, confused, hostile, lobbyist-infested war mongers make the bestest, awesomest presidents ever!
Riiiiight..... like Republicans Don't already believe that they have the Market Cornered on Religion and The Military.... Why is it hard to believe that other political parties can love God?
-V
This has to be the most ridiculous forum for these two candidates to engage in. Who cares what the evangelicals think? This America, remember? Separation of church and state. Duh.
It gives Obama the chance to look as Christian as he can, and it gives McCain a chance to sound evangelical.
BOOOORRRRIIIINNNNGGGGGGG.
I like his approach but though I am a Christian, I don’t think this is appropriate unless they are going to grant a similar forum to a Jewish Synagogue, a Muslim Mosque, and a Hindu Temple etc.
Yeah, and McBush will pander to the Christian voters and play up his anti abortion stance which is a pander itself. Many Christians will fall for his Conservative mantra despite the fact that McBush is a bitter, angry,adulterous athiest. Shame. This is one election where voting for the Liberal will mean voting for the man who truly has a relationship with his Savoir Jesus Christ.
If he really does this, it would be the first time someone in his position played fair.
Excellent. I hope they follow this plan. It's time the games stop and the honest discussion of issues begins. They are playing with our collective future.
Why is the story about Randy Scheunemann and the Georgia payoffs not front and center today? Sounds like McCain is still up to his old Keating tricks. He's puppet for the lobbyist with the biggest pocket book. They are already lining up outside his door.
I hope Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopolis watch and learn in case they are ever allowed to hold another debate.
Obama/Hagel 2008
There is just too much religious publicity playing in this election and it is becoming difficult for me to understand what God's teaching are vs. mans personal gains.
I admire Rick Warren. I think he will be fair and honest. He is reputable as far as I am concerned
We'll see. This should be interesting, watch out for the blind side blow and make sure security is tight, wouldn't any religious fanatics trying anything.
It's sad that we need a minister to step in when our "journalists" are doing their jobs.
Past-or. Today... Garbage... Freeloader... Bloodsucker... Leach??
Use your own words! But his Guy is a None-Productive: Entity...
They keep crawling out from Drains... They have never done one decent day's work in their life...
I will support Obama once I know Clinton will NOT be his running mate. If not McCain 2008, here I come.
We'll see. This should be interesting, watch out for the blind side blow and make sure security is tight, wouldn't want any religious fanatics trying anything.
Barack Obama will mop up the floor with John McCain, count on it!
From what I read on these forums, Hillary's supporters felt strongly her name should be put in nomination, yet from what I read in these tickers when she loses again they will not feel satisfied, so what's the point?
Oh no, a religious person asking McCain questions? This could be a very interesting moment for evangelicals and "family values" voters unless McCain is visited by an angel between now and Saturday morning and tutored on making the types of coy Biblical references Obama is known for. While I'm no Christian, I appreciate a person of faith when I see one and I can appreciate that Obama's faith is very important to him.
yeah....right...
Yawn. Another megalomaniac-church mini-messiah. The fact that he feels he needs to "play 'gotcha'" with either candidate says something about his personal integrity.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!MAKE SURE YOU KEEP BO IN A SOUND PROOF BOOTH SO HE CANNOT COPY MCCAINS ANSWERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is just the first of many forums and debates for Mr. Celebrity to squirm. Will Wright and Pfleger be in the audience to prompt him with answers? You're out of your environment, Barack. This isn't a church on the south side of Chicago. Please explain to the good Rev. Warren why you can't or won't put the Muslim issue to rest. Produce the Christian documents!!! Where's the certificate of baptisim?
What does this guy got to do with anything? Does he have any type of knowledge about the economy,foreign policy, or any idea on how to run the country?
Glad to see (and hear) that he will be objective. That will be refreshing!
If this is the case, and he can ask POLICY questions, I'm all for it. We don't need questions on Wright, McCain's POW experience, Clinton, VPs, or either of their wives.
Whatever happened to separation of church and state?
If you ask a question that both can answer, try something like this. Gentleman, name atleast one notable acomplishment namely, legislation that you sponsored that has made life for the common citzen better now than when you first entered the national politics, on both the domestic level, and where do you want to take America on the international scene. Please be as specific as possible. Thankyou
McCain will talk himself into a corner and he won't need any help to look like a fool.
No "gotcha" required.
Why the candidates even agreed to this is beyond me. This would be like opening up a forum specifically for gays or muslims only. The candidates are not supposed to represent the religious WRONG...they are to represent the people!
Evangicals need to leave the rest of us alone. We don't need your opinions influencing the coarse of our government. You do not represent my beliefs!!
now if this is going to take place in a church, and this isn't going to be one those witch hunts, how can it be equal. the republicans think they own the name church, and to republicans a democrat can not believe in god. and with the rumors going around that obama is the antichrist, with this interview taking place in a church this is going to be fair. doesn't mccain have to keep tabs on the oil in georgia? how he can have time to do this interview, and put the russians in thier place? mccain has forgotten about breaking any one of the 10 commandments, especially about cheating on your wife. and being money hungry, i guess he hasn't read. a rich man has about as much chance getting into heaven, than a camel fitting through the eye of a needle.
Rick Warren was instrumental in introducing Obama to his Saddle-back Church early in his campaign when nobody even just to mention Obama's name caused condemnation to some evangelicals. Rick Warren stands tall. Thank you Pastor Warren.
Good going pastor, you've managed what the media can't accomplish.
It's amazing that the coward Obama won't agree to more debates.
He is hiding/staying away from the public light.
Looks like crash and burn aversion.
To see how John McCain is doing, visit his daughter's blog site
McCainblogette.com Very interesting the contrast of what the
media reports and what's actually been happening.
Whoops! Correction there.. don't want to sound like an uneducated, old Hillary supporter.
...Evangicals need to leave the rest of us alone. We don't need your opinions influencing the COURSE of our government....
Why was this scheduled during Primetime coverage of the Olympics?
This should have been scheduled before the Olympics for reaching the maximum audiience.
Rick Warren wrote the one of the best books of all time.
"jim: I will support Obama once I know Clinton will NOT be his running mate. If not McCain 2008, here I come."
----------------
You are as bad as us PUMAs. Welcome!!!
Well, Rev. Warren is not Pat Robertson and he's no Fallwell...so I believe he is moderate enough to host this town hall meeting...he should be able to ask questions on social issues from ground zero...
He didn't say he wasn't going to play "gotcha" with either candidate. He said he wouldn't play it with one and not the other. Two different things. Might want to change your headline. (looks like I 'gotcha')
** Nader/Gonzalez 2008 **
JD in Moraga, CA
Did you read the article?
It's no wonder you're voting for the Obama.... Megalomaniac-Mini-Cult
JD in Moraga, CA:
He said : "I'm NOT going to play 'gotcha' with one candidate and not with the other. This way, it will be totally fair. You compare apples to apples," he added.
Reading comprehension for the win!
JD – The article states that he is NOT going to "play 'gotcha". In other words he is going to be fair and square. And, by the way, it is about time we all realize that the media concocts headlines to attract attention. Most of the time the words which are used do not come from the candidates themselves.
I hope so.McCain declares us all Georgians, flys around in his Staight talk express goes to Canada and Mexico and Colombia and acts as if he were the President and not one word. Obama does the exact thing except in different countries and is defamed and ridiculed why? So just be fair this one time.
And that is all we have seen is gotcha politics and it is going on and on. We have very few Journalists willing who will go after the truth, but they have no problem to help spread smear and the Inuendos put out there by so many of the hate spewers. These are some crazy times, and the people of this country better wake up and realize how this is affecting the political process and elections! People need to stop listening to this and driving the ratings up for these news organizations if you really can call them that anymore. Tabloid news, or entertainment tonight is more like it.
Should be interesting to watch this. Is it a debate or is it just a meeting? Gonna be a great chance to watch McCain attack Obama. He will crumble under pressure without scripted responses.
Funny, (well not that funny, but actually sad and commonplace), but the headline says one thing, and the story the complete opposite.
When I read the headline "Pastor: Not going to play 'gotcha' with McCain, Obama." I thought, well that's refreshing. I'm encouraged.
Then I read his quote: ""I'm not going to play 'gotcha' with one candidate and not with the other. This way, it will be totally fair."
So really, he's going to play 'gotcha' with both candidates.
How disappointing, in both the pastor and CNN for their very poor headline writing skills.
JD, the whole point of Warren's comments was that he would NOT be playing gotcha with either candidate. I'm genuinely mystified as to how you could miss that.
I'm no fan of "megalomaniac-church mini-messiahs" myself, but if you're going to criticize something the man said, at least read it first.
I think it is good that Obama is not writing off the evangelical vote. He is showing some huevos doing this forum.
What religion is McCain? Does he even attend church?
I should have logged my wifey out before posting...anywho to state again...I think the Rev. will host an unbiased program and address issues from ground zero...issues concerning america's citizens and the world...
Rick Warren is not as bad as those other Evangeliclowns we have all come to know and love. you cant fault him for his christian ideals–he's a pastor for goodness sake!
with a substantial Christian audience expected to tune in, I hope we can finally clear up the fact that Obama is a CHRISTIAN, not a muslim, and that Democrats are not Godless.
Here's the one question the pastor should ask: "As president, will you swear to uphold the Constitution and faithfully execute the laws of the United States?"
President is not Pope.
It's getting to the point where they need to wear flag-draped crosses as lapel pins, just to save space.
deja vu? didn't this take place a few months ago?
Get religion outta here and keep it in the church not in our government. Why not choose a muslim leader instead?
religion and politics are a very very bad mix unless you are an orthodox jew living in Israel. Both religino and politics in the United States are equally corrupt and often a tool of satan, the Great Deceiver.
But then what will the MSM like ABC and CNN report about without some 'gotcha' stories. MSM – WHERE IS THE VETTING OF JOHN MCCAIN????????????
I don't really care for a gotcha game or this heartland forum for that matter Rev. Rick
Seeing his position on gay rights, stem cell research and abortion- and considering those values to be more important than that which could be done for others, we already know who Rick Warren has endorsed. This will not be a favorable debate for Obama unless he flip flops again.
Good. I hope it's fair, unlike what ABC and Clinton tried to do to Obama.
I don't understand the point of this.
God Jesus christ my Lord will come back to take us christian in heaven with him and in that day your social status will not be able to take you to heaven. You need to accept jesus Christ as your personal savior and water baptize to be eligible for heaven. George Bush, John Kennedy, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton to name a few wil not go to heaven unless they have Jesus in their lives.
just dont ask them about religious junk!it has no place in politics!i dont care if your muslim,christian or jew or whatever.dont bring it into our politics.we have enough divisions without that!
So will the pastor ask the messiah any tough questions, or can we expect this debate to be another made-for-tv liberal love-fest stopping short on real issues with concrete solutions when their emotional feel-good point is made. I suspect the latter, therefore I shall be doing something constructive that day.
Give me a break, this guy is so Republican. The only reason he's asking Obama to attend is to get more publicity for John. If he just invites John, it's a snoozefest. LOL
Now we will find out how much McSame does not know the Lord. Have them both open in prayer. God will do the rest.
After GWB got in the words born again never crossed his lips.
Obama is with the same woman that he swore before God and man to love and has stood by his word til this day, can McSame say the same thing? No. McSame ran out on an injured woman that waited for him and took care of his kids until he got home just to have him run out on her with the rich one. Be bold and ask him about that and if you don't you and your church is a sham. McSame cannot be trusted.
Obama08
RUN FOR THE HILLS! Another one of the Taliban-like TV evangelicals pandering to the "values" voters and those that love to have happy smoke blown up their skirts.
Despite all his high-minded dribble all this bozo wants is to make sure his books keep selling and that the chosen people – you know, the bible thumping, snake handling necon repugs – keep drinking his kool-aid.
Besides, where does this self-proclaimed "preacher" come from thinking he's an expert on "homeland issues"? What hubris...
If this sideways talking faith healer really understood what America stood for he would start with seperation of chuch and state and keep it that way.
The only thing this quasi tent revival is gonna do is gin up "the base" for the repugs while diverting attention away from real world issues.
The church is in Orange County!!! Hello–it's republican, rich, racist, red, and right-wing. Nice try pastor, but we don't buy it.
I just saw him on CNN, he sounds really nice and progressive, I am looking forward to watching. I can only say that in many cases of giving and being blessed, charity begins at home. Our goverment is also at present financially overextended and owes Americans to be fiscally responsible. At the same time, many blessed American private citizens are being very generous with their money, time and resources and are working hard to help the world's most vulnerable. I think it is time for other countries who have been blessed to step forward as America focuses on paying her bills.
Fair is good, but what is the point in having this man do it? Why a religious group of any kind for any presidential debate? I don't like it. I don't mind if evangelicals decide to vote for a Democrat this time - they're free to do whatever they wish - but I would care greatly if they expect to be rewarded with evangelical-style policy as a result, as has happened to the GOP for many years now.
Okay, so the tickets are $500, $1000, and $2000 dollars. Doesn't sound like a Democratic atmosphere to me.
Watch your back, Barack.
This is SOOOOO ridiculous that it is infuriating. I can not believe these Evangelicals have so much pull. I grew up Catholic but am getting to the point where I can't stand these Bible thumpers. They are so ignorant. To think that anyone has a lock on the truth is beyond the absurd.
He's a decent guy, I'm pretty sure he'll play it straight.
I WILL WATCH AND RESERVE MY OPINION ABOUT THE FORMAT UNTIL IT'S FINISHED. I WILL COMPARE IT TO THE FIRST DEBATE ON SEPT. 26th.
NO MATTER WHAT, IT WILL BE GREAT TO SEE MCBUSH W/O HIS TELEPROMPTER AND LIEBERMAN, ET AL WHISPERING IN HIS EAR W/CORRECTIONS.
OBAMA / ANYONE BUT HILLARY '08 AND BEYOND!
I will be mildly pleased if the Pastor does what he claims. My personal feeling is that if all news agencies reported the news without their bias showing it would be a blessing. Stop trying to create news, just report news, I have watched all of the new agencies try and create news out of nothing because they have become talking heads.
I don't believe him for one minute. He's trying raise money for McCain and push his Republican, I mean the church's views on everyone else.
This is so bogus.
I can't wait till the Clinton's over run Obama like they are going to do after the little DNC Circus show in Denver. Hillary 2012
Maybe he'll ask McCain about his cheating on his wife and dumping her for Cindy. Even FIXed News won't ask that question. Hannity brought it up, but he got slapped down by Colmes, and rightly so.
Edwards AND McCain both need to feel the heat from their infidelities.
What I'd also like to see is other religions get in on the interviewings as well. Christians believe this is a CHRISTIAN ONLY country, and they're wrong. This country is OPEN to all religions, and any of them who want their interviews of the candidates should be allowed their time of interview.
in other words the flag pin issue will be brought up again to both candidates and the real questions that concern america will be ignored. not this time
Obama is a liar about his faith. I hope his performance shows that. It socks me howmany are fooled by him.
I left the Democratic Party this year over Obamaand the lack of responsible leadership in the Congress.
PUMA>>>>>>> NOBAMA
Chalice
For me religion is a primitive human instinct. Lets stick to what the founding fathers intended and keep religion OUT of our government. Just look back at the past two thousand years and it’s easy to see that evil hides in the church...
I'm surprised Obama agreed to this. His campaign must be getting some funding out of it. Otherwise, why would you go to a county that a shoe-in for McCain?
It's great for McCain because he can ride the Obama publicity wave, while shunning him at the same time.
So who wins and who loses on this won?
Winners: Warren & McCain
Losers: Obama and his supporters
Obama will do okey if McCain gets asked first, like Hillary was always first.
This is a joke, right? That place is in Orange County, CA. The reddest county west of the Mississsippi. They don't care for Obama's kind, to put it bluntly.
O/08
I can not believe that we have a preacher going to ask our two
presidential canidates questions in a form. What has happened to the seperation of church and state. I think if they want to deal in politics they should give up their tax exempt status. We do not need the churches opinion influencing the running of our government but we could use some of the free money they get.
LOL, he's probably faxed the questions to McCain already. How can he not be for McCain when he goes to the White House to visit his buddy, George all the time?
Not a smart move on Barack's part. Stay away from that church and deal with reality. Orange County is not it.
Most of the audience will be white, and they'll sprinkle some minorities in the choir to make it "look" like America. Not a good church, not a good venue.
Come on CNN, you mean he's not going to "appear" to play gotcha. But he will–he's a Republican. They can't help themselves.
Why was Rick Warren chosen to moderate this forum? Talk about one-sided and disenfranchising. What segment of society does he represent – That's what he'll represent in the forum. Why another white male? What about a Jewish and/or Buddist moderator? Why not a cross-section of diversified America? There is no way he's not going to come across as pro-McCain. And if he does just that, It'll be CNN's fiasco like the Stephanopolis debate earlier.
JD in Moraga, CA August 14th, 2008 4:30 pm ET
Yawn. Another megalomaniac-church mini-messiah. The fact that he feels he needs to "play 'gotcha'" with either candidate says something about his personal integrity.
I think he said he wasnt going to play gotcha, and this guy apparently lives offf of 10% of what he makes and the other 90% go to charity. I think that says more about his personal integrity.
Wow, finally BO will have to answer some questions without a script....then all of America can see that he is not the messiah and is not ready to lead a country.
Sorry to post this comment here folks, but the "Obamanation" book was written by a person VOTING for the Constitution Party, and DOES NOT like either McCain or Obama. So for Obama's action wire to call this a Republican book smear, well...that's the biggest lie of all.
Didn't even want to read it until the Obama supporter on Larry King started screaming and calling the author a liar...and not letting him talk for 30 minutes....so now...am running right out to buy it....
This guy is so political–give me a break.
Thanks God finally one with a brain, Mr. Rick Warren God bless you I am glad to see an honest person God doing his work. I hope he guides all the media network to do the same, take them out of their sinful behavior.
I wish both candidates wouldn't lower themselves to such pandering. Who is this Rick Warren? Why does he get to "interview" the candidates. He's not a legitimate new organization.
So will they be coming to my church soon?
Obama is going to lie to a pastor. He surely won't tell the truth. He hasn't yet.
Grandpa is at Colorado meeting with a group of people. As you have guessed he starts off with a War Story!!!
He just claimed the turning point of the Surge's success was a meeting he attended in Baghdad
Stop the Confusion....OBAMA '08
i don't buy it...
So, we'll get to see two candidates, one who will answer in a clear and concise manner, the other who will answer like this, "Uh, uh, uh, uh, um, um, uh, um, uh, um, uh, um, uh, um, uh, uh, uh...."
Obama needs someone to teach him how to answer questions without sounding like Stuttering John.
I'm stunned. How did a presidential debate end up in this venue? Who is this man? Bringing religion into the fray is disgusting. These men should be discussing policies that will address the welfare of this nation as a whole – in an impartial forum. This really gives me the creeps! Shame on both candidates for agreeing to this holier than thou sham.
This is so hypocritical. They want McCain to win, but the only way the forum will get publicity is to invite Barack as well.
I bet you the pastor will ask Barack if he'll come back while the cameras are rolling. The church stands to make a lot of money with Barack there, not McCain. If he had just invited John, the event would have been free.
Sad.
I saw the religeous forum from PA with Hillary and Barack. It was excellent and there was no "gotcha". And it was very eye opening. Barack really believes in the words of Jesus and the Beatitudes.
Dear Not An Obamabot:
He gave the church 90% of his money, but the church belongs to HIM.
What happened to good old fashion sermons. Why is the church in politics at all?
Ask the same questions but altewrnate who gets to answer first or keep the two separated so the person going second hasn't had the advantage of knowing what the questions are in advance. Then it will be fairand unbiased.
Why are we letting an evangelical run a debate? This is ridiculous?
I don't care how big their lobby is, religion has no place in government!
The framers of the constitution made it clear they believed religion was too dangerous to be a part of a true republic and that's why they created the separation of church and state.
The religious right have no business getting involved in a political election and the candidates are pandering to them by taking part. I'm not surprised by McCain, and I guess I shouldn't be surprised by Obama, but I'm really, really disappointed in both their campaigns for going along with this. It's a travesty.
So what does this guy have to do with anything?
Another freakin pastor. Has he been vetted? How many kids has he molested. Leave the religion out of politics
This should be an interesting debate. You have someone who's a truly practicing christian, but believes in things like abortion and gay marriage... which will make the evangelicals cringe. On the other side you have a guy who's not religious at all who's gonna try to pretend he is to pander to the evangelicals... this should be funny.
My question is: Will the candidates have a head's up as to what the questions will be?
Wow, Obama answering questions without a telepromptor? I expect a repeat of his debate performance when George Stefanopolis asked a few hard questions and Obama crashed and burned. Just love his deer-in-the-headlights look.
Good for you sir and good luck.
I think that it will be interesting.
Pastor Warren:
Have both candidates attend a worship service, preach a biblical sermon on "The Purpose Driven President", treat them both to lunch, cast your vote according to conscience, and leave it at that.
I think it is so interesting that with some people the Pro-life issue is always such an important determination when it comes to electing someone.......Ok so Bush was elected and what has he done for this cause? I don't think I heard him once mention overturning Row vs. Wade. Many of the Republican candidates use this to rake in the votes, but really what has changed.....nothing!
I am unhappy that both of the candidates chose to participate in this forum. This is not a smart move for either of them.
no teleprompters... let's count the 'uh' and 'well...' and 'hmms' while barack stumbles over the first non-softball question that comes his way.
Seems fair to me.
CNN, this is ridiculous. The two candidates are going to appear at a forum moderated by some preacher? Where is the separation between church and state. CNN has sunk to a new low. This is one program that I will happily miss.
It is sad to see this minister who wrote in an email message to other pastors not more than a couple of years ago that he didn't know about AIDS and his wife had to tell him about it ... get this kind of publicity from presidential candidates. Rick Warren not only learned about AIDS ... but also about the great amounts of money churches could get form it via faith based grants ... which Obama wants to increase. Mixing religion with politics is never good ... only this seems more of a bad situation than most.
I'm just amazed he got McCcain to work on a Saturday. will be a good chance to see both men together on the same stage before the debates.
P.S. Person above who thinks Obama is the dumbest ever, Bush already holds that title. Barack is articulate and thinks before shooting his mouth off. I know it will be difficult to have an intelligent President , even a dim bulb like you will get used to it. Please use your head for something more than keeping your ears apart.
I live in Lake Forest, and though I'm not a member of that church, it's hard not to like Rick Warren and admire what he's done. He seems honest, and his willingness to not publicly take sides is laudable. If more religious leaders would do the same, that would be fine, too.
That being said, I'm not sure that it's appropriate to hold a political event (even if it lives up to its non-partisan billing) in a church. I'd even be fine with Mr. Warren moderating the event, but I think politics need to stay out of those buildings.