Warren to host Obama, McCain for joint appearance

WASHINGTON _ In their most direct effort yet to court people of faith, Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain will make their first joint appearance of the campaign next month at the Rev. Rick Warren’s California megachurch. Warren’s Saddleback Civil Forum on Leadership and Compassion, co-sponsored by the non-partisan group Faith in Public Life, will […]

WASHINGTON _ In their most direct effort yet to court people of faith, Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain will make their first joint appearance of the campaign next month at the Rev. Rick Warren’s California megachurch. Warren’s Saddleback Civil Forum on Leadership and Compassion, co-sponsored by the non-partisan group Faith in Public Life, will focus on wider moral issues rather than policy, and give both candidates an opportunity to make their pitch to religious voters. The news came on the same day that Focus on Family founder James Dobson said he would “re-evaluate” his opposition to McCain. The conservative Christian activist has publicly criticized Obama’s understanding of the Bible but had earlier also declined to support McCain, citing differences over embryonic stem-cell research and a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. “While I am not endorsing Sen. John McCain, the possibility is there that I might,” Dobson said on his radio show. At the event, part of an ongoing series of forums hosted by Warren’s church, the two candidates will field questions from Warren for one hour apiece. Warren, whose “Purpose-Driven Life” books have sold more than 25 million copies, will be the sole moderator of the event, although he will solicit input from Muslim and Jewish leaders from Faith in Public Life. In a statement released Sunday (July 20), Warren said his questions will focus less on matters of policy and more on broader, personal issues. “The primaries proved that Americans care deeply about the faith, values, character and leadership convictions of candidates as much as they do about the issues,” Warren said. “While I know both men as friends and they recognize I will be frank, but fair, they also know I will be raising questions … beyond what reporters typically ask.” (OPTIONAL TRIM FOLLOWS) Last November, Warren invited the major presidential candidates to address a Saddleback AIDS forum, but only Sen. Hillary Clinton spoke in person. Obama, McCain and other candidates sent video greetings. Last April, the Washington-based Faith in Public Life sponsored a similar “Compassion Forum” at Messiah College in Pennsylvania, which was attended by Obama and Clinton. McCain declined an invitation to speak at the event. A spokeswoman for the group confirmed that efforts to bring both parties’ nominees together began shortly after April forum. The idea was presented to both campaigns two weeks ago, and an agreement was reached late last week. Both candidates are looking to improve their standing among evangelical voters as the campaign nears its final stretch. According to a recent survey by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, 12 percent of evangelicals are undecided, compared to 4 percent at this point in 2004 and 5 percent in 2000. “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,” Warren said.

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