McCain and Obama Bare Their Souls at Saddleback Church

On August 16, 2008, Senators John McCain and Barack Obama sat for an unprecedented interview at Saddleback Church, hosted and moderated by Reverend Rick Warren. Both senators handled themselves very well.

Rick Warren of Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, California interviewed each candidate separately in one-hour sessions. Warren stated both candidates received identical questions so viewers can have an "apple to apple comparison."

Many supporters will claim their candidate of choice as having the more righteous performance at Saddleback Church. I'm sure objective witnesses would testify that experience and patriotism preyed upon inexperience and couched cynicism.

In this "apple to apple" comparison, the core of some key issues was laid bare. The differences between the two candidates were compelling; let's examine a few:

Rick Warren's first question was, who are the three wisest people you know in your life and who are you going to rely on heavily in your administration?

Barack Obama named his wife, maternal grandmother, and a list of senators.

Many pundits have reported on Michelle Obama's anti-American rhetoric. After the Tennessee GOP aired a video ad featuring Michelle Obama, Mr. Obama warned, "lay off my wife." For more on that and her derisive comments check out: "Lay off My Wife"

John McCain offered his top three: General David Petraeus, civil rights leader John Lewis, and former eBay CEO Meg Whitman.

Warren asked the men about theirs and America's greatest moral failure.

Barack Obama stated that in "my lifetime" America has not provided ladders of opportunity into the middle class, a failure to look out for those less fortunate, which covers poverty, racism, and sexism.

Barack Obama a black man, a wealthy man just defeated a white woman that also broke economic barriers. He is in a very good position to be the 44th president of the United States. Yes, this all occurred in America during his lifetime.

"For the first time in my adult lifetime, I'm really proud of my country" -Michelle Obama, February 2008 (After the success of Barack's campaign).

John McCain acknowledged the failings of America throughout our existence. McCain also acknowledged that America has been better than any country in the world at devoting herself to causes greater than self.

We should acknowledge and learn from our sins, it is equally important to acknowledge the great achievements of America in order to remain a beacon of liberty and hope.

The candidates were queried about crossing the aisle against their own best interests:

Barack Obama mentioned ethics reform and opposing the war in Iraq. Barack wasn't in the US Senate to cast a vote opposing the war in Iraq!

John McCain listed various issues, over which he crossed the aisle. One that exemplified independence was his vote against President Reagan's decision to send Marines to Beirut. McCain's dissenting vote was against a president that he was devoted to (and still is). John McCain, as a young maverick demonstrated his logistical skills, and military insight.

Regarding the most gut wrenching decision:

Barack Obama mentioned his opposition to the war in Iraq. Again, he wasn't in the US Senate to officially oppose the war. Votes Obama did cast reveal an extremely liberal politician that craftily used the "present" option rather than making tough decisions.

John McCain mentioned his honorable service during wartime and his imprisonment as a POW. As President, he will be fully aware of the sacrifices America's young men and women will be asked to make in our defense.

McCain has sons that have put themselves in harms way defending America's freedom, including a son that served in Iraq. McCain has a son in the Naval Academy and if elected he could become the first president since Eisenhower with a son at war. McCain obviously has a personal interest in ending this war responsibly and convincingly.

The men were asked: Does evil exist, and if so, do we ignore it, do we negotiate with it, do we contain it, or do we defeat it?

Barack Obama admitted evil exists, began to equivocate and accused us of evil:

"Now, the one thing that I think is very important is for us to have some humility in how we approach the issue of confronting evil, but you know a lot of evil has been perpetrated based on the claim that we were trying to confront evil; in the name of good and I think one thing that's very important is having some humility in recognizing that. You know, just because we think our intentions are good doesn't mean that we're going to be doing good."

Jeremiah Wright would be proud.

John McCain: "Defeat it!"

Visit here for video of that compelling exchange: AmericanAngle.blogspot.com

Perhaps the most controversial question posed to the candidates was when they believed a baby is entitled to human rights.

Barack Obama claims such thoughts are above his "pay grade." Despite the fact that as president he would appoint justices that may be in a position to defend those rights. Currently, it is not a higher power determining human rights of babies; governments are still making those decisions. Any president worth his salt will deem it a job requirement.

Obama had to come up with something, after all "above my pay grade" is much better than verbalizing his support for abortion, late term abortions, partial birth abortions, and if the baby actually survives the abortion the failure to support legislation to protect those babies born alive.

Barack Obama supports those very practices and even voted against the Born Alive Infant Protection Act. "Above my pay grade" is a step up for one of the most radical senators that has graced sullied the national stage.

Watch video here: "Above my pay grade, Obama" and "At Conception, McCain"

John McCain without equivocation affirmed his belief that a baby is entitled to human rights "at conception."

Senator John McCain has a 25-year record to back up those words, words that matter.