Obama and McCain to appear togethr at Saddleback Church

So how do I get invited to this :)

I think it's great - Let them say what they want to say.  In the context of a church they'll both say things in ways that may be very revealing.  You'll know what's important to them by what they choose to bring up and you'll know what they're afraid to talk about by what they avoid bringing up.

Rick is and has been an amazing leader and God sure isn't done using him in some surprising ways.  It is fun to watch from the sidelines.  I am looking forward to the event and can't wait to hear how it all rolls out.

It will be televised. The candidates wanted "all the networks and national media to be allowed to use a live video feed from Saddleback," according to the email.

Interestingly, also wanted Rick to be the only questioner.

Everyone can watch live from www.saddlebackcivilforum.com.

 Randy,

If it is about "leadership" then there is no need for a forum.  Only one of the two major candidates has ever led anything.  I think too many peopel discount McCain's military experience because so many Busters and later have no concept of what it means to be an officer in the U.S. Military.

Being an officer in the military is all about "leadership" and leadership sometime under very hostile conditions.  McCain.

Now, if one equates leadership with "charisma," as many people do (especially religious people). then that's another story.  As a veteran and one who's life was saved by the courageous and immediate leadership of the Captain of my ship, I have great confidence in McCain's leadership training, style and most importantly courage.

McCain is known as a "mavrick" and I like that quality.  A true leader I think needs a "mavrick" quality.  A seasoned leader is someone with a track record.  Again, in my very humble opinion, I think that issue is settled.  I don't see how a "forum" can demonstrate a person's ability to lead.  Anybody can talk about leadership.  In these volatile days -- and let's remember we are at war -- I think you are right that "leadership" is a very key element in this next election.

 I am actually quite disturbed to see people so excited to see this taking place.  You don't learn about these people by listening to them on a campaign stop.  You learn about them by looking into their voting and stance records from the past.  That shows the true nature and values of a candidate.  The campaign trail is an opportunity to impress people by personality and cast a shadow over the facts of their records.

Barak Obama's voting record is so heinous when it comes to issues that concern Christian values that I don't know how anyone who claims to be a Christian could justify a vote for him.  Our commitment to our country needs to be more grounded in our Christian values and beliefs instead of the charisma of a candidate that stands for so much that is contrary to basic Christian principles.  Without asking the "tough questions" that have been mentioned in previous posts, this will be nothing more than an opportunity for someone who is blatantly against the direction of the Bible to make a public appeal for himself.  If he is going to be there, he should have to answer those tough questions, like how he can justify voting against a ban on partial birth abortion, supporting abortion on demand (even without parental notification), and how he can justify defending and supporting the homosexual agenda.  Ask both candidates these questions, and see whose answers more closely match those that Jesus would give.  Speaking kindly does not altar the content of the answer.