CNN

Get ready to witness an old man caught in his own mind and still reliving the Vietnam War from so many years ago. I for one do not want a President that will make dicisions based on things that happened 40 years ago. The Vietnam War is over McCain.............go home and this time don't cheat on your wife..................

Interesting.....I read the individual bits by Candy Crowley and Bill Schneider prior to watching the interviews.....from reading Candy and Bill's storylines I would have thought that the interviews were indeed conducted in a fair and balanced way.....I would have thought that "McCain was on his game", as Candy said and I would have concluded that McCain had been given the answers prior to the forum.

After watching the interviews with (almost) the same questions being asked of each, I came away with this:

Obama is a much deeper thinker, considering each question prior to answer. Obama is much more interested in serving ALL the people of this country.

McCain seemed to have indeed been given a list of the questions in advance. It seemed that the rehearsals he and his handlers surely held prior to this forum, in which they practice answering questions which MIGHT be asked, did indeed contain the real questions. Otherwise, McCain would have not been so quick and sure of how to best answer for this crowd. McCain is cut and dried in his opinions and less likely to consider new information.....we have experienced that attitude for 7+ years. Hasn't worked.

I found it interesting that Obama was asked right up front to not "stump", but when McCain spoke he looked right at the audience, said "My friends....." and stumped away,,,,Pastor Warren never mentioned to McCain that stump speeches were not welcome.

The body language from Pastor Warren was very telling also.....with Obama he was visibally uncomfortable with some of the answers, sitting up in his chair, adjusting his jacket, looking for the end of that subject......with McCain his was less so, sitting back in his chair and letting McCain tell stories at will. This was indeed a McCain crowd.....several of McCain's answers were obviously aimed directly at that crowd, containing no sincerity whatsoever. I am more convinced than ever that Obama is the right choice for this country at this time.

Obama did well, but McCain rocked!

I think this and the debates comming up will push McCain ahead of Obama. There are polls out there that show McCain and Obama in a dead tie. Most of the still undecideds are inependents. They like to decide for themselves which candiate to vote. They tend to ignor campagn adds that try to tell them who to choice, they know most adds are distortions and biased. They wait for events like this and the debates to make up their minds. And McCain is a long time favorite of many independents. They like how he has taken the heat from many in his own party for his moderate stand on issues such as campagn reform, illegal immigaration, global warming and many others. If he delivers in the debates as he did in this forum, the undecided independents should flow to him and he will further unite the Republican base. His blend of moderate and conservative positions appear to be the perfect storm to wash over the Obama campaign.

Where is the transcript of the program?

"Pastor" Rick straight up LIED. McCain was not in a cone of silence. He didn't arrive until30 minutes later. The whole thing was a lie set up to make McCain look good. America has been duped again by MSM.
CNN, MSNBC, FOX, all should be ashamed to promote this farce.

I was dissapointed in the forum as it was allowed to become a platform for McCain's political speeches and for him to once again tell of his ordeal while captured, his way of playing on the sympathy of an audience which he hopes will result in votes. He is not the only war prisoner who suffered. Do Americans owe him the presidency for that? If this was a gathering of evangelicals why did Warren allow him to sidestep questions. Some are saying McCain won like this was an Olympic event. McCain claims he is sorry about his divorce. let's ask his wife about that remark. I could not believe his performance. At least Obama kept his dignity and did not advocate war. This situation between Georgia and Russia is scary and a cool head is required not one that says Bomb! Bomb! is the answer.

WAS I THE ONLY ONE? OR DID ANYONE ELSE NOTICE THAT, BARACK OBAMAS ANSWERS INCLUDED, INVOLVING OTHERS. AS JOHN MCAINS ANSWERS ONLY INCLUDED HIS THOUGHTS, HIS WAYS, HIS RESOLUTIONS AS IF HE'S GOING TO DO WHAT HE WANTS TO DO, REGARDLESS OF ANY OF HIS CABNET MEMBERS SAY... HUH!! SOUNDS LIKE ANYONE WE KNOW? TRY PRES. BUSH... LETS CHANGE EVERY ONE..

I'll finish (pressed submit too soon, excuse)......

JUST WHAT is "cone of silence"?????

I didn't watch the forum because I knew exactly which way it would be slanted. McBush and the good reverend filled the audience with people who agree with them, period. I'm sure that Obama never had the chance to get his point across like McBush did. I did hear that McBush spent a great deal of time talking his time in a prison camp. We all know the story and what a hero he was, but what does that have to do with TODAY! He lives in the past and is totally out of touch with the economic problems we have NOW.Does the country really want four more years of Bush? That's exactly what they're going to get if they vote for McBush.

If you like abortions, you will love Obama. He would even have his daughter have one, I've heard. Under his leadership, you probably could go to the five and dime and pick up one.

He is certainly risky and it would be a gamble for him to be in charge.

Obama also likes the taxes. The more the merrier. He will tax you and spend your money. Probably on a vacation to Hawaii where he can body surf.

McCain will protect your wallet, your values and your country. With Obama it would be a gamble. I don't want to gamble with my life and my country.

It is evident that Rick Warren had given John McSpeedy Answer the
questions. He even mentioned the question about the Supreme Court
Justices before he was asked. How did he know about that question
if he was in a sound proof booth and had never seen the questions.
Barack though about the questions before answering them and was
very humble and honest. He is the type of President Americans want,
a thinker. This reminds me of the ABC debates with the commentors
in the bed with the Clintons. It didn't work then and it won't work now.
The American people can see straight through this farce. John McCain stated that "vouchers works". Senator before you talk about
poor teachers, brush up on your English. What do we do with poor
Presidential Candidates like you? We send them back to their ranch.

What ever happened to separation of Church and state. I am a not interested in what a candidate's personal views on religion are. And how they may affect their presidency. Also what their faith is will hinder how they will govern. When did this become a viable forum in the bid to the White House? Am I the only person that is disturbed by this?

Do you want to elect a President who could not even define who the "rich" in this country are? McCain waffled on this question when asked by Pastor Warren. He started his answer by saying he knows lot of rich people in this country who are not happy (they must have contributed to his campaign!!) and then went on to say some irrelevant stuff. If you don't believe me, listen to his answer. Also his reference to Iraq war and how he was going to handle it was obnoxious (this guy can't get over it) and his mentioning of putting "my country first" several times was also demeaning to the values of his opponent. Do you believe even for 1 second that Obama doesn't put "our country first" in his quest for presidency? Give me a break!!!

I'm NOT watching this mess again. The whole forum was rigged.

John McCain KNEW the answers in advance and his responses were so evident. He did NOTHING but "campaign" on his issues of WAR, WAR, WAR. That was his focus.

He didn't share his FAITH, he PANDERED to the faith based audience who supports him! John McCain didn't answer the questions, he made told "sad" stories to gain sympathy, nothing more.

I found Rev. Rick's inability to control John McCain's ranting very sad and very one-sided.

I will never watch another forum, etc. with OLD MAN McCain. His panderings during the forum last night turned me off.

Mccain clearly won by a mile – Obama was lost and would ask Michelle and his Grandma what to do about Russia Iran and an Energy crisis. One of the worst performances I've seen Obama in and now realise why he won't go head to head with Sen. Mccain in a townhall meeting.. That would all be but the end of the Obama campaign...

It is evident that Rick Warren had given John McSpeedy Answer
the questions. He even mentioned the question about Supreme
Justices before he was asked. How did he know about that question
if he was in a sound proof booth and had never seen the questions.
Barack though about the questions before answering them and was
very humble and honest. This reminds me of the ABC debates with
the commentors in the bed with the Clintons. The American people
can see straight through farce. John McCain stated that "vouchers
works". Senator before you talk about poor teachers, brush up on
your English. Can we find you another job!

Notice Senator McCain saying "CAN WE GO BACK TO THE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES QUESTION?" .. the problem is THE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES QUESTION had not been asked of Senator McCain yet, so really there was no question to go back to ..the Question had been asked of Senator Obama earlier .. It appears Senator McCain was able to hear through the walls of "The Cone of Silence" as he said he had tried to do(jokingly) but what is much more likely is he KNEW THE QUESTIONS BEFORE THEY WERE ASKED !!

It was very informing and telling. I have to say that I was truly surprised at how well Mr. McCain did. We all know that Obama is a good speaker,but McCain held his own very well. This is the way to get a decent read on what your candidate is all about and the questions were down to earth.

Mccain at the forum reminded me of my 90 year old grandfather who has dementia. All i remember him talking about was his experiences at Vietnam.

Barack answered all questions with his thoughtful brilliant judgment. McVietnam on the other hand talked so much about Vietnam and his experiences that it made me very uncomfortable. Is he like okay? He reminded me of my grandmother who has Alzheimers.

I watched McCain. He never seemed to answer any question, he just seemed to repeat some of what I take it to have been excerpts from his standard stump speech.

Anyone notice the McCain and Obama responses about education? Obama answered the questions after they were asked. McCain answered the questions before the questions were asked. How could he do that unless the 'cone of silence' was not working or he had the questions in advance.

According to Senator McCain, there are only six 'rich' super models in the America. I am serious... Just look it up on forbes.com
This guy is out of touch.

Why there is air time given to these relgious loons is beyond me. Its like these people own everyone else's morality. Pity

Watch Obama's sleepy answers and McSame's stump speeches.

Obama seemed to be needing another vacation and McSame told his same war stories and gave his same old stump speech lines... no matter the questions... sometimes, before the questions. McSame hi-lites? "I'm going to get Bin Laden... We are going to win in Iraq... Drill here, drill now (I'm not kidding).

One question I would like for some wise pundit to address... Why has John Edwards been completely excorated over his affair and John McSame hasn't been? The media insisted that John was finished while John, with the same "moral failing" is running for president.... with NO mention of his background!

i cant watch mccain again.if i hear 'my friends' one more time i'll be sick.not funny how mccain plagiarized his 'cross story',from solhenitzen's book about HIS time in the 'gulag'.this after plagiarizing his history of georgia from wikipedia.maybe he should try a little more 'honesty'?

It was good of Mccain to mention that he failed at his first marriage, but he for got to mention that he broke one of the 10 commandments. Thou shalt not commit adultry. And once again he had to start talking about the war again, who cares to listen too that. No matter how you look at it he is still four more years of Bush. He should pick Willy, or Edwards as his vp, cause they also commited adultry, so this what you want running the white hous.

Watched the entire two hours – congratulations to Pastor Rick for a very civil forum, indeed. Can't convince me though that McCain didn't have some advance knowledge of the questions – maybe that "cone of silence" wasn't so airtight?? It was McCain's audience so of course he pandered to their most pressing concerns (abortion, SC Judges) and leaned on his POW stories. Clearly Obama was the more thoughtful which appeals to me personally. I'm tired of a President who's quick on the draw, convinced that every problem has a simple solution – and he knows just what the solution is! Conventions coming, things will really heat up soon – I'm working hard for Obama in Florida!! Heaven help us all if we get four more years of cowboy diplomacy and big-money republican rule....

Kathleen if female VP or Male kaine. Abortion to me is like murder.
Only if a woman rape or to save her life to allow abortion. If you
don't want a child than use protection are get stop. President do
not have that control anyway,just really and opinion of his .Ours
concern is the economy,gas oil,jobs and more income for america
peoples to keep up with rising cost. I am want a president that
will concern himself domestic issues more so than foriegn policy.
The war is something watch but not focus hard we neglect our
local problem especially the homeles and illegal suck up the
welfare system and having babies in record breaking numbers,
which cost the tax payer.Voter be ware of this growing problems.

As an educator in a certain dicipline I can tell you that John has some deep routed problems he still needs to work out.

He needs professional help with his experience in Vietnam.

It doesn't mean he does not qalify to be president of the US – he just needs some Psychological help.

In the interm – if he does become president get ready and dig out your old BOMB SHELTER books. There is new material on the market that will help you with radiations unless of course you are in the middle of the center of impact.

CNN you should start with a special on how to bulid a home bases boom shelter – three easy steps

Rick Warren has on the tackiest toupe I've ever seen.

McCain biggest moral failing was not his divorce. It was cheating on his wife, while he was married and LEAVING her while she was sick with kids.

If he doesn't own up to that, he'll never be a good president. He has a character flaw and everyone knows it.

Obama took too much time with his answers last night.

And then he ruffled the feathers of the Church when he did not commit to conception beginning life.

And perhaps he didn’t share the warm stories apparently sought by those who are saying McCain had a great night.

But if there is one thing for sure that Obama did not do last night it was pander.

Lost in the accolades John McCain has received today from the Christian right is the undeniable fact that any remnants of John McCain ‘The Maverick’ died on that stage last night. John McCain pandered. Once respected for his willingness to do what he, and only he, felt was right, John McCain finally sold what was left of his once respected soul.

John McCain ‘The Maverick’ is dead. Conservatives are now left with McBush.

And for this American, that is a shame.

What ever happened to the separation of church and state?????

THIS PERFORMANCE WAS TOTALLY USELESS AND UNNECESSARY. WHAT WAS THE POINT. OLD RAPID READER ZAPPED OUT THOSE ANSWERS TO SHOW HOW YOUNG AND WITH IT HE IS AND HOW HE CAN FOOL THE AUDIENCE BY GIVING ACTUALLY NO ANSWER AT ALL. BUT HE SURE CAN TELL TIRED, OLD STORIES.

WE KNOW HE WAS A MILITARY HERO, WE DON'T CARE ABOUT HIS FIRST MARRIAGE, THERE ARE HEROES COMING HOME FROM AFGHANASTAN, WITHOUT LIMBS EVERY DAY. WE ARE TIRED OF HIS POW STORIES. THEY WRE FACT, BUT THEY ARE OLD AND THAT IS ALL HE HAS AS A CLAIM TO FAME.

EMPTY BARRELS MAKE THE MOST NOISE.

Rick Warren is a snake with too much money and power.

Once is enough for me. Too much Warren and religion.

McCain clearly came out above Obama

Ah...um...Obama's preformance was ....ah...um..you know...ah ..a bit...um, weak.

Unless..ah...um...of... of course you like one ...ah...one..ah...hour of ...um...stuttering and stammering.

And the Obama vs. McCain polls – dead heat with McCain rising. Obama has outspent McCain in FL 1.8 million to zero yet McCain is still leading in FL.

Democrats should really regret that Hillary is not their nominee (despite getting more votes).

i could not bear to listen to McCain talk about himself for another hour. thanks but no thanks.

Did McCain know the questions in advance?

When Warren was formulating one question to McCain (I think it was about abortion), McCain interrupted and asked: "Are we going to go back to the one about the Supreme Court justices?"

That seems to be a clear indication that McCain did know the questions in advance.

yes please listen to it yourself. the selected parts you are seeing on CNN is totally misleading, any other network is unlike CNN giving McCain a clear victory showing obama up as an inept eh ahwer

Where's Chuck Baldwin, Bob Barr and Cynthia McKinney? They are on the ballot also.

The forum was an interesting format. Warren is pretty much an egomaniacal hustler as far as I can tell but posing more or less identical questions to the two candidates and letting them answer without a lot of badgering worked pretty well, I thought. Both candidates did well and viewers got a good long look at both of them. More of this, please, instead of the "gotcha" tactics of the media talking heads who are more interested in scoring points for their own resumes than in helping voters find out what they need to know.

You mean the forum that I didnt watch because I knew it would be an evangelical preacher feeding McBush easy questions. The guy knew that evangelicals were not falling in love with McSame, and this would be the way to get them on McBush's side. I have an idea! Let's have a did you cheat on your wife then dump her when she had an accident and then marry a beer heiress to pay your political ambitions forum?

McCain was pathetic. His comments on wealth in particular were insane. What an old fool !

Yep, I intentionally missed the forum. When no women are represented, I consider that the greatest "moral failing" of organized religion, Presidential politics, media conglomerates and this country.

I find it interesting that many people including media analysts, have identified a "winner" and "loser" of the discussion. How can there be winners and losers about faith and values issues. Are we saying we have lost freedom to have individual spiritual beliefs and values? The difficulty in the forum is that McCain spoke mostly from script rather from his soul. What a sell job!

BHO could not answer a question straight with out his polished speech crap. McCain was straight on. It's going to be interesting how the media is going to keep hot air in BHO and is WH chances that is slipping away daily.

I watched this forum on TV and was quite impresssed as I originally thought it was going to be all religious which it was not. I thought a lot of McCains responses were too quick. I was particularly dissatisfied with his answer to the question on what to do about evil. There has been evil in this world since mankind began and there is no way in Gods green earth that evil in any form is going to be defeated. I think Obama' s response that we have to confront evil and why we have to confront it was great. McCain seems to think that the way to settle anything is with force. This scares me. I certainly want a President who thinks before he speaks and McCain certainly does not do this.

Take it for what it's worth. There was a big white man in a big white church, questions leading to right-wing agenda, in this big oppressed world.

In my humble opinion, it was partly a Q and A . Barack answered the pastors questions, McCain was allowed to make a political speech. McCain spent most of his time bragging about his creds. telling worn out war stories, and beating the drum , military, military, military ! It does not matter who you support, the forum must be fair and equal. This one failed on both .

Didn't want to see it the first time around. Have no desire to watch a replay.

Religion should be kept totally and completely OUT of politics.

Conversely, politics has no place in religion.

Definately gonna watch it again...

And gonna tape and send the part where Obama says he wouldn't nominate Clarence Thomas because he wasn't experienced enough for a jump like that.

HELLO???

Isn't that exactly what you are trying to do? 3 year Senator who basically has had 1 year since the last 2 years you've been campaigning.

Pot meet Kettle...

Johnny Mac '08

It seemed that McCain had the questions known to him ahead of time. He was wanting to answer the question about the Supreme Court judges at the wrong time – and Warren told him that question would come later. He also answered the education questions before Warren asked the specific questions and was just doing the intro to them. So did they give him the chance to meet with his staff to prepare his answers ahead of time?

Sorry I had enough of McWar last night
seeing it twice would be nauseating
I thought McWar was as usual in his * war mode*
Sorry I happen to think he *exploits* his captivity in vietnam for *political points* and that was more than obvious last night
After all he is not the only captured pow in history just the most *glorified* one!!!
just another example of how *IF* you vote for him your going down the same path as the last 8 years
At least Obama will try and steer the country toward the change it so badly needs.
In my opinion Obama was much more sincere and humble

I'm sure it will be played over and over and over and over ad nausem. No hurry. After all, it's a slow news day.

HEY

WAIT..!

HOW CAN SOMEONE [Mc Lame] BE PRO LIFE & PRO WAR...??

I watched the forum, it was great...McCain kicked Obama's Butt.

McCain united the Dems in 1 hour .What are you HRC voters going to do now. You heard him last night. A 72 year old man is gonna tell you what to do with your body and your life. It's your body let them hear your voice. Ready to overturn Roe vs wade ? Ready for war with the whole world ? Please ,America. Don't be stupid this time. lets show the right wing that America is still free. Obama 08

I would not watch a Litmus test if you paid me .