Aug 17, 2008 11:19 am US/Pacific
Behind The Scenes At The Saddleback Civil Forum
LAKE FOREST, Calif. (CBS) ―
-
-
Presumptive Republican Presidential candidate U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), pastor Rick Warren and presumptive Democratic Presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) greet each other before the start of the Civil Forum.
Getty Images
There was no mention of campaign
ads likening
Barack Obama to Paris Hilton and Britney Spears – or
commercials comparing
John McCain to a president whose approval rating has fallen to below 25 percent – when the senators came together for the first time Saturday night at Saddleback Church.
The presumptive presidential nominees even embraced at a
civil forum moderated by Pastor
Rick Warren. The unprecedented platform allowed the senators to discuss everything from their moral failures, to why they want to be president, without interruption.
It certainly would have been easier to watch the event from home, given the crowds and security presence (managing editor
Erik Oginski and I were denied access to the main sanctuary by a rather robust and curt Secret Service agent), but it was obvious, even from the media overflow tent (where we were apparently supposed to be in the first place), why these men will officially receive nominations at their respective party conventions in coming weeks.
I found it hard not to clap aloud for both candidates as they gave their honest and thoughtful answers to Warren's challenging, and notably deep, questions. I mean, could you really explain why you would want to be president, or what cause is worth putting our troops in harm's way, on the spot? Pretty impressive when you think about it. McCain's recollection of the anguish – and satisfaction – he experienced by choosing to stay imprisoned when the North Vietnamese refused to release other soldiers who had been captured before him is the stuff our country is made of. Similarly, Obama's empathy for all Americans, which, in his words, is why he wants to be president – and the fact that he has already made history as our country's first major party African American presidential nominee – should give each and every one of us chills.
And we should also champion Rick Warren for recognizing that church and state should remain separate, but at the same time acknowledging that our faith shapes our political beliefs. When was the last time you saw a prominent religious figure stay mum on their views and offer the nation something other than an endorsement? While he faced opposition for distributing tickets to his congregation, at least anyone and everyone who wanted to see the event was able to do so.
If you did happen to watch the event Saturday (if you didn't, you can watch clips right there in the video player), I hope you feel like you know the candidates a little better. I sure do.
Jenn McBride
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
WeHo Halloween Carnaval
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
