August 16, 2008
Posted: August 16th, 2008 09:10 PM ET

From
Obama and McCain crossed paths at the faith forum.
Obama and McCain crossed paths at the faith forum.

LAKE FOREST, California (CNN) - Obama wraps up. In all, he often slipped into stump speech material, but overall, but some questions brought some things I've never heard. He said he would not have appointed Clarence Thomas, basically because he thinks Thomas wasn't up to the job at the time.

This seemed like a very pro-Obama crowd to me, but mccain just walked on stage and people were very enthusiastic in the welcome. Obama and McCain shake hands and whisper something to each other.

Exit Obama... now for ACT 2.

Filed under: Barack Obama


Ms Wright   August 17th, 2008 2:10 am ET

Good Job BO

John Mccain is to old

Cnn you are so obviously biased for John Mccain it's sickening!!

Becky Montgomery   August 17th, 2008 1:37 am ET

Yes, Obama did tell us new things, as opposed to McCain who just pulled out his stump speeches and how wonderful I am stories.

Go4Gold   August 17th, 2008 1:19 am ET

I would agree both candidates did a good job to the best of their abilities answering each question truthfully and honestly. However, on the subject of honesty, I believe Barack Obama was more thorough and direct in his responses to the questions whereas John McCain provided more personal storytelling responses avoiding direct answers to the specific questions. Both men have completely different styles in their approach and McCain seem to have been winning over the crowd. Their generational gap was apparent and compelling to watch.

Ruth   August 17th, 2008 12:35 am ET

Crowley states that this seemed to be a pro-Obama crowd; please let's be real. That crowd was most defintely pro-republican from the jump but polite-Obama. What we need in a president is not a good story teller, but someone who is a prudent and wise as well as judicious in decisions. MCCain seems to be likeable, but after tonight , I am convinced he is frighting listening to him talk about evil. As a christian, we all know we cannot defeat evil. And evil is in the world, USA included. But we must constantly fight evil. It is Jesus Christ according to the Judea-christian belief who will defeat evil. I am sorry; I am a devoted believer in Jesus Christ, but MCCain will be terrible for this country. I am voting for Obama. And I am against same sex marriages and abortion. But these two issues do not make a christian.

awol   August 17th, 2008 12:32 am ET

why candy denegrating obama and seemed campaigning for Mccain?

Voice   August 17th, 2008 12:28 am ET

A pro-Obama crowd? What forum were you watching? If people like you can jobs, how do we have such high unemployment levels?

aware   August 17th, 2008 12:24 am ET

Exit Obama is prophetic Candy!

McCain ran away with this one, and he will win the election!

McCain 08! :)

The Iraq war IS legal   August 16th, 2008 11:59 pm ET

Exit Obama is right........ bye bye presidency!!

Pat Curtis   August 16th, 2008 11:38 pm ET

Did anyone notice that Obama almost said he wouldn't have appointed Thomas because he lacked "experi-"
Almost a huge blunder

BJ in NC   August 16th, 2008 11:32 pm ET

That's right ACT 2. As long as you all can slice and dice Obama you too are showing your preference as well a political affiliation. CNN you are disappointing the public. Thank goodness for other sources that tell the real picture that is not tainted with your political leanings. Can't wait for those of us who are never polled to get a chance to have our say in the polling booth.

Carolyn   August 16th, 2008 11:31 pm ET

Candy. Did we watch the same program? It was M<cCain who stumped. stumped some more and some more.

jennifer murphy   August 16th, 2008 11:30 pm ET

NO WAY WAS THIS AN OBAMA CROWD! Hello church peolpe, pro-lifers and anti-abortioners. I mean it was all set-up for McCain. Obama knew this, it was his chance to let the people see more of him. Which was good, but trust me, Obama's waiting for his chance to strike.

Norma   August 16th, 2008 10:53 pm ET

McCain stumped all night long. He used this as an opportunity to campaign which in my opinion underminded the credidability of the entire program. He did not talk relate any of the questions to the format of the program Faith and Religion.

He was 100% political!

Dre   August 16th, 2008 10:51 pm ET

Are you serious? You say Obama lapsed in his stump speech but say nothing of the same for McCain? Are the people at CNN lacking intelligence or did they decide to call it for McCain "to keep the race close".

I used to listen to your perspective but after this I think I'm done with CNN. Period.

Gaby   August 16th, 2008 10:44 pm ET

Obama stated that America should lead by example and that is leadership and is willing to work with the international community. McCain does not lead by example and he showed it, through fear mongering, telling the same old Vietnam war stories.

Robbi Bunten   August 16th, 2008 10:38 pm ET

I thought Obama was very thoughtful, and took his time in answering questions, because he wanted to be considerate of his audience and their views, while being as honest as possible. I think that McCain used the forum too much as a political platform, and less as a conversation. I felt he was basically there to say what he knew the people in the audience wanted to hear. And I cannot believe that none of you are mentioning the fact that he talked about the US being willing to fight for freedom of others around the world, and that no other country does this! (I don't recall the exact words, you would have to check the transcript.) Please someone, bring this up!

Gaby   August 16th, 2008 10:37 pm ET

Obama was definitely on point , honest and answered the questions head on. McCain danced around it as usual. I wonder if he danced around his Vietnam war stories?

P. Simmarano   August 16th, 2008 10:35 pm ET

Political analysts are saying that Mccain did a great job with this forum. my husband and I would like to know what you all were watching. Not only was obama comfortable but also opened a window into his soul. he let us understand how his religious belief affects his daily decision making. We also believe that his answers were completed responses where Mccain was all over the place. he would be asked the same question and his answers were yes or no and can I tell you a story. Mccains answers did not elaborate on the questions asked. i understand that he is a decorative military hero which is honorable and commndable but all his refrences were about his military service. I do not feel i got a personal insight into who John McCain is . Obama definitely drew us in.

J. Simmarano   August 16th, 2008 10:34 pm ET

Political analysts are saying that Mccain did a great job with this forum. my husband and I would like to know what you all were watching. Not only was obama comfortable but also opened a window into his soul. he let us understand how his religious belief affects his daily decision making. We also believe that his answers were completed responses where Mccain was all over the place. he would be asked the same question and his answers were yes or no and can I tell you a story. Mccains answers did not elaborate on the questions asked. i understand that he is a decorative military hero which is honorable and commndable but all his refrences were about his military service. I do not feel i got a personal insight into who John McCain is . Obama definitely drew us in.

Becca   August 16th, 2008 10:30 pm ET

Obama slipped into politics?! McCain gave canned answers and stump speech rhetoric – without thought. I don't want an "aw, shucks" president. I want one who thinks and deliberates.

Independant Thinker   August 16th, 2008 10:30 pm ET

Obama stated that he would not have appointed Clarence Thomas because he thought that he wasn't up to the job.

Jeez, Thomas was a well know, very estute judge at the time and had a better record thatn Ginsburg.

Monica for Obama in Indiana   August 16th, 2008 10:27 pm ET

Well Candy, The Thomas thing was nothing new. And if you had noticed the people stood up for Obama, before he stood up.

mccain skirted around a lot of questions, but you will find among a lot of the medical field different opinions some say that birth does not start at conception, while others do.

mccain, Knew what he was doing. You forgot to mention that he played President Bush with Georgia tonight. How disrespectful can you be with a sitting President?

wow   August 16th, 2008 10:07 pm ET

Candy,,,,,,,,,,,What in the hell was wrong with Obama answering the question with Clarence Thomas???? Would it have been more appropriate to name someone white?? What is with you?????? ??

J Williamson   August 16th, 2008 10:03 pm ET

Clarence Thomas is a shameful example of Republican window dressing – the man has brought nothing to that great body, either through questioning witnesses or rendering opinions. Obama was correct in his answer, though I hope he's not implying that years of imitating Rodin's "The Thinker" has made Thomas grow into the job. Don't think so!

Karen   August 16th, 2008 10:00 pm ET

I would love to know what Obama and McCain whispered in each others ear.

JoAnn Young   August 16th, 2008 9:55 pm ET

Did McCain slip into stump speech material??????

Victoria Brown   August 16th, 2008 9:54 pm ET

Obama was slipping into stump speeches? You must be watching a different show. It's McCain who is giving stump speeches.

I don't know who to trust. I thought CNN was as fair as the media gets. Now, I'm not so sure.

J Williamson   August 16th, 2008 9:48 pm ET

Clarence Thomas was never fit to sit as a Supreme Court Justice – that was Republican window dressing, and it's shameful. Good answer from Obama, but I hope he's not implying that Thomas is "qualified" today – he has added absolutely nothing to that body, ether through questioning witnesses or by rendering opinions.

Mike Dallas   August 16th, 2008 9:45 pm ET

Where was that unpatriotic, heathen, John McCain's lapel pin?

Jim   August 16th, 2008 9:45 pm ET

I think they are using an applause device to make the applause sound equal

CPO, USN(Ret)   August 16th, 2008 9:42 pm ET

After watching the first ninety minutes, Obama's responses were not near as 'stump speech' as McCain's. While I appreciate and honor his service to our country, can he answer any question without invoking his experience in 'Nam? One final note... I am not, nor will I ever be, his 'friend'.

Sharon McDonald   August 16th, 2008 9:41 pm ET

I think that both candidates fell back on "stump' speeches.

I really don't think that this was much help for voters. The candidates didn't say anything that we already didn't know about them. I can't see where this type forum made any difference although it was interesting.

women for obama   August 16th, 2008 9:39 pm ET

AS A STRONG OBAMA SUPPORTER I WAS PLEASED WITH HIS ANSWERS, HE WAS VERY THOUGHTFUL AND PROVIDED INSIGHT TO SOME THINGS I DID NOT KNOW.

Elaine Bunbury   August 16th, 2008 9:38 pm ET

Senator always manages somehow to slip in his acts of heroism and sacrifice whilst a prisoner of War in Vietnam. My husband was a P.O.W. in the Second World War, he never boasted in any way about his suffering as a prisoner of the enemy, from which he suffered for the rest of his life. I have no respect for those who promote themselves.
Senator McCain has nothing to say about the wasteful cost of the war in Iraq, money which could be used to re-build America's education system, roads and bridges and fixing the economy which is a disaster as a result of the Bush/McCain policies. McCain acted aggressively in the latest problems with Russia and Georgia, instead of using diplomacy. Where does he think he will find more troops to fight a war with Russia?

geoia   August 16th, 2008 9:26 pm ET

Barack Obama answered each question with thoughtfulness and it appeared honestly. Mc Cain is making his pitch he is campainging. He is basing all of his responses on his personal war experience allowing him to mainitain heroism.

Keith   August 16th, 2008 9:23 pm ET

McCain is direct and forthright. He didges no question. He is firm in his responses and not wishy-washy, walking the fence as Obama did during the first hour.

Linda Carpenter, Phoenix, Arizona   August 16th, 2008 9:19 pm ET

Baracjk Obama was brilliant! I am so encouraged for America that we can actually return to what America was before Bush has taken uys down the road to destruction.

McCain talks war, profts for war profiteers like Halliburton
he talks drilling because he is funded by oil companies
He has no ethics, no real faith. He cheated on his first wife and married an incredibly wealthy woman who its rumored he has cheated on too. He is fake, all talking points and can't answer a real question with an authentic answer. Just all political jargon. and someone writes that Obama stumped! What planet are they on and what coolaid are they drinking there?

THE O   August 16th, 2008 9:17 pm ET

thats funny mccain has been giving all his stump speeches in this forum..

TheTruthHurts   August 16th, 2008 9:13 pm ET

As you now see, this is a pro-America crowd!!! They like both men because they're both likeable. Rick Warren is friends with both. McCain will do fine with the audience, but he needs to keep his energy up. He can't have Obama's energy, but please John, don't put them to sleep.

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