Guess which candidate this "equal treatment" helps. At least one thing is clear: we now know how the name of John Lewis spontaneously came out of McCain's mouth as one of his guiding lights.

Knowing that he did know the first two questions in advance really makes me suspicious about the whole thing. Why would he act surprised if he didn't knew the first two questions? Am I suppose to believe that he was "acting" surprised on those first two questions? smells fishy to me... geez.

That's like asking a someone not to look at the answers to the SAT even though they're sitting face up on the table with no teacher in the room.

I sure hope the American people can still add, 1 (McCain was not in the "Cone of Silence" from beginning to end) + 1(McCain seemed to rehearsed and to concise in his answers, something he is not EVER BEEN KNOW FOR) = 2 (McCain and his camp had the opportunity to hear 30 minutes or more of this interview!!!!)

He repeatedly lies....just yesterday he said he "didn't hear" a question about the swift boat book against Obama, even though he answered it.

I like Rick Warren, but he needs to understand who McCain has now surrounded himself with–nasty Karl Rove cronies. They['ll do ANYTHING TO WIN! GET REAL!

I am are not his fellow americans(WARMONGER)

Go Obama!

And you are a fool if you think McCain didn't listen in on the way. They covered for him

But the pastor clearly presented it as if McCain had indeed been isolated. He lied.

And the fate of the free world is at stake. If Rick Warren doesn't think that ANY candidate for president would do a little cheating on an interview to get ahead, he's either naive, an idiot, or lying.

And the same would go for Obama, incidentally. If he and his staff had access to the questions in an interview, they'd do what they could to prepare, too.

What a disappointment. I thought Rick Warren was a good guy.

Next question – "Did any of his staff watch or listen or in any way then brief him with specific questions in person, via phone or electronic device w/ ANY info from the Obama interview before his hour".

Of course they did. Satellite radio had it, or a WI FI connected laptop or an iPhone would have done it....an email, phone call or blackberry message to a staffer who then whispers in his ear....

This is going to be a huge scandal.....but not below a guy who nearly flunked out of Annapolis..

It just seems very suspect that boht McCain and Obama's actions showed evidence that they knew the questions. Obama was just more respectful and let Pastor Warren get the whole question out before answering it.

Either way if they knew the question or not, Obama was 100 times more engaging, real and personable with his responses then McCain. I was really hoping to see another side of both candidates beyond he stump speeches, sound bites and TV ads. I learned nothing new about McCain. With all do respect, McCain just told the same POW stories and stump speech after stump speech, which I've heard 100 times. To McCain is all about War...Surge...Bomb...Defeat...all militant and bullying language. Forget about analyzing, reasoning and diplomacy that to much like being a human being.

I take that back, I didn't learn something new about McCain...he is worse the Bush and I fear for the future of this country if McCain wins.

I get my news from National Enquirer – they have THINKING investigative journalists instead of empty air-heads talking (Blitzer, Brown, etc).

Interesting how they knew that the first two questions were coming, yet the answers were so different from the canidates.

I thought that both of them anwered truthfully (yet painfully) about their greatest moral failings, but thought Barack could have been a little broader on the first one about who the three wisest persons in his life were...anyway, a great forum.

Well done, Rick Warren.

If a candidate is late, just delay the start until they're both arrived.

And next time, no leaking the first two questions to the candidates before hand. Or if you do so, then in the interest of full disclosure you should say that in the broadcast.

Having said all that, it's amazing how weak an answer Sen. Obama gave to the "which 3 people" question. Just a very weak answer

Now knowing that McCain knew that question ahead of time, I'm less impressed with his answer. But at least it was a lot better than Obama's.

It is clear now that the candidates didn't receive the same treatment. More specifically, if you review the transcripts, Warren kept Obama on a leash and gave McCain much more flexibility to sprinkle in stomp comments. It would have been more effective to actually ask the same exact questions to each candidate...word for word, to avoid the appearance of unfairness. The framing of the questions was different.

It is highly possible that McCain's handlers told him about the initial questions before McCain arrived at the church. Not being in the cone of silence before the event started raises significant questions of fairness or at least presents the appearance of unfairness.

Also, there is some suggestion that McCain knew the questions in advance or heard Obama's comments because of his reference to going back to the Supreme Court justices before being asked about them and answering the education question before it was asked.

Finally, there were several opportunities to ask follow up questions of both candidates when their answers seemed confusing. It would have been helpful to ask Obama to elaborate on what he meant by the “above my paid grade” comment. It would also be helpful to ask McCain to explain how the failure of his marriage was a moral failure. A failed marriage in and of itself is not a moral failure. Many marriages fail for other reasons that have nothing to do with morals...ie...finances, incompatibility, etc.

A couple of missed questions;

1. To both: Will you commit to ending the negative campaigning?.
2. To McCain: Does a reputation for cheating on your spouse disqualify a candidate for the presidency?
3. To McCain: Does being a POW qualify a candidate for the presidency?
4. To Obama: Does being a good speaker qualify a candidate for the presidency?
5. To Obama: Are you a Muslim?

Your choice PUMA people – This may be the last choice you ever have – you may be too busy in 3 or 4 years tending to a "baby a year". Financially and physically, it will keep you from having a real life of your own, or it may prevent your daughter from education – unless you're married to one of those people making the big bucks.

He deeply respects both men, and if he calls you friend you can bet on it.
After all, he has been my Pastor since he first started pastoring out of my high school auditorium.

Pastor Warren, YOU are an idiot if you think Sen. McCain's staffers DID not feed him the questions. What a crock of CRAP!

I'm floored in thinking that this Pastor has the nerve to insult our intelligence in thinking that while in "route" to the event, Sen. McCain's staff was NOT listening to Sen. Obama's questions like a "FLY ON THE WALL".

Can you say Honey PLEEEEEEEEEZE........

McCain plays deaf and dumb whenever it's convenient for him, but he gave himself away when he would answer the question BEFORE the question is even asked, AND then he ASKED about the Supreme Court Judges BEFORE Pastor Warren even asked the question.

This just another attempt by the McCain camp to "cheat the system" as usual, it's that "OLD Washington Politics" at work.

For Pastor Warren to state on CNN today that, "he takes John McCain at his word"..... Yeah okay, wink-wink.

We are NOT all faith-based "suckers" here.

Oh CNN, the most trusted name in News, when will we have another minority providing analysis other that all those caucasians. We need different perspectives and I am sorry, your panel is not diverse enough to provide that needed perspective. M