I have just finished watching Senator Barack Obama answer Rick Warren’s questions at his Saddleback Church in California. While the media discusses Obama fatigue, Sen. Obama has the uncanny ability to make you fall for him all over again.
When asked what is America’s biggest moral failure, Obama answers,
"We still don’t abide by that basic precept in Matthew that whatever you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me. That basic principle applies to poverty to racism and sexism. It applies to not thinking about ladders of opportunity to get in the middle class. As wealthy and powerful as we are don’t spend enough time thinking about the least of these."Source
Granted he was not exactly preaching to the choir in this forum but Sen. Obama garnered applause on his answers to many tough questions including why he should be president:
Obama begins by saying that his mother used to "get really angry at me if she ever thought I was being mean to somebody." She would say "imagine being in their shoes." That kind of thinking, he says, has "made America special … I want to be president because that’s the American I believe in and I feel like that American dream is slipping away." He believes, Obama also says, that he can build "bridges" that will help solve the nation’s problems.Source
Hawaii has done him a bit of good. He looks amazing, all tan and rested. I know that bit of info is not pertinent to politics but at Talulazoeapple I have to say what I feel.
Sen. McCain just sat down in the hot seat and is waving his I was a POW flag high and center. He, BTW, is wearing a choir robe. LOL
I am impressed that when asked what is his greatest moral failure, Sen. McCain soft-voiced admits that the failure of his first marriage was his greatest moral failure. Interesting. He then quickly moves on to . . .national security!!
When asked does evil exists and what should be done about it, Obama answered, "Confront it" with humility and McCain, "Defeat it." McCain then goes on a tirade stating that he will follow Osama Bin Laden to the ‘gates of hell’ and bring him to justice.
By now the choir is is full swing.
McCain is pandering to the right wing base point on pint. The crowd is eating it up.
He then goes on to say that a marriage is the union of one man and one woman. McCain is on woman numero dos, hmmm? Then he goes on to agree with Barack on civil unions and state sovereignty on this issue.
Okay, I am going back to watch the rest.
***Update****
My final conclusion:
McCain is a tougher opponent than once thought. He is not that intellectual but he responds directly to the conservative points and hits all them one by one. His POW tales are poignant and resonate well with the audience. That’s his ace in the hole.
Obama is very intellectual and comes across extremely personable. I could see those hearts of stone melting as he responded to questions of faith. Not being among his fans, I believe Obama held his own.
On Style:
McCain approached the discussion like a stump speech, frequently addressing the audience and garnering much applause.
Obama approached this discussion as a conversation, directly addressing Rick Warren.