McCain and Obama to Appear at Saddleback Church

Obama, McCain to meet this weekend in Orange County for first joint campaign appearance at Saddleback Church. Pro-lifers plan "prophetic outreach".

San Diego (California Catholic Daily) - Senators John McCain and Barrack Obama will meet for their first joint appearance of the 2008 presidential campaign at Saddleback Valley Community Church in south Orange County this coming Saturday.

The Aug. 16 "Saddleback Civil Forum on Leadership" at the non-denominational church will feature a non-debate format (at the candidates' request) in which Saddleback pastor Dr. Rick Warren will pose questions to both candidates. The media, though invited to attend, will not be given an opportunity to question the candidates.

Operation Rescue and Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust have announced plans for a "pro-life prophetic outreach" at the event. In a press release, Operation Rescue said, "We want to bring a strong pro-life witness to the church community, the media and the nation at the Saddleback Civil Forum, where the eyes of the nation will be focused." The two groups said all pro-lifers are welcome to join them when they meet at the main entrance of the church on Saturday at 7 p.m. More information is available from Gingi Edmonds at gingi@survivors.la, telephone (559) 772-7911.

"This is a critical time for our nation and the American people deserve to hear both candidates speak from the heart -- without interruption -- in a civil and thoughtful format absent the partisan 'gotcha' questions that typically produce heat instead of light," said Warren in a Saddleback press release. Warren will engage each candidate separately for an hour, beginning with Sen. Obama (determined by a coin toss).

Warren, who says he knows both candidates "as friends," promised he would be "frank, but fair" in his questions. Both Obama and McCain "know I will be raising questions in these four areas [faith, values, character, and leadership] beyond what political reporters typically ask. This includes pressing issues that are bridging divides in our nation, such as poverty, HIV/AIDS, climate and human rights."

Warren said the forum will concentrate primarily on how the candidates will lead and make decisions, and only secondarily on their positions on issues. "Since the oath of the President is a commitment to protect the Constitution, it's critical to know how each candidate interprets the nature of its principles," said Warren. "Leadership involves far more than promoting programs and making speeches, and since no one can predict what crises will happen over the next four years, it is vital to know the decision capacity and process of each man."

Both Obama and McCain recorded video messages for attendees of Saddleback's Global Summit on AIDS last year. Both have endorsed Warren's 50-year strategy, called the P.E.A.C.E. Plan, to unite churches around the world to address "spiritual emptiness, corrupt leadership, poverty, disease and illiteracy."

On Sunday, Aug. 17, the day following the Civil Forum, Warren will deliver a sermon, "Making Up Your Mind: Questions to Consider before the Election." The sermon will be streamed on the Saddleback web site "and made available for use in small group discussions within churches across the country," says the Saddleback press release.

"In addition to my primary calling to proclaim the Gospel Truth of salvation in Jesus Christ, these Civil Forums further three other life goals: helping individuals accept responsibility, helping the Church regain credibility and encouraging our society to return to civility," said Warren.

This article appeared in California Catholic Daily and is used with permission

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This article originally appeared in California Catholic Daily and is reprinted with permission.