I had duty, and wasn't able to watch the "Debate", but from reading what some of you have posted...

[SKKY]

...correct me if this general summary is incorrect.

1. McCain was basically "on the stump" and didn't deviate from message too much.
2. McCain discussed his POW days ad nauseam.
3. Obama went to McCain's turf, and played him to a draw.
4. Rick Warren was basically even handed.
5. We didn't really learn anything new about either candidate.

[MrModerate]

1. The one revelation to me was . . .

How sincere Obama is (or appears) when speaking extemporaneously, and how canned McCain sounds.

The debates are going to be *interesting*.

[XemaSab]

3. My thoughts too

:thumbsup:

[SKKY]

4. Really? When Obama looks down while talking, and tilts his head...

....you can tell he's being very sincere and probably speaking more from his heart than anything. JMHO. Thanks!

[rucky]

10. That'll make a big difference with alot of Evangelicals.

Who are starting to realize they've been played by the Right. From what I heard sincerity is a big message in The Purpose Driven Life.

McCain still thinks he can play them (and probably can w/ many of them).

But I think Obama earned a net gain for doing this.

[Binka]

29. Why Doesn't The Escaped Convict Have Any Legs? n/t

[Binka]

30. Actually I Think That Is A Bust Of Liberace

I saw him wear that FABULOUS jacket in Vegas once.

[XemaSab]

2. That's not accurate

We learned that when put on the spot, McCain coughs up talking points, and Obama gives a reasonable, well considered answer.

So #5 is off.

I've been an Obama fan for a while, and seeing him answer tough questions in front of a hostile audience like that made even more of a believer out of me.

[gblady]

5. I so appreciated

Barack's sincerity.

[madeline_con]

6. #4 depends on your definition of "even handed."

He allowed McCombover to go on about stuff with the "my friends" crap way too long. And it was a tape of the last ten speeches he's made.

He asked him about Georgia, which allowed Stumpy an audience to further the RW lies being told on the MSM about the conflict.

I learned a lot. about both of them.

[otohara]

7. McBush Prepped & Coached All Week

by fundies and told him what to say - he sang to the choir with one line answers & lame jokes and they rewarded him with loud applause and cheers.

While Warren seemed reasonable, his flock still same old fundy crowd, who care about themselves more than the planet, and abortion more than bombs and science.

Nothing new, even though it was hyped as the "new" Christian crowd, who cared more about social issues and environment. Warren seemed sincere, but then we don't see his teachings every Sunday.

[Whisp]

8. Obama was having a conversation - McCain was doing a performance.

2 very different people.
I hope at least a few independents saw that as well and come on Obama board.
the right nutters, well nothing to be done with them - let them have their ignorance. that cheering for McCains war prayers (the mark twain version) was really tough to stomach.

[1Hippiechick]

12. Spot on. McCain was looking at the CAMERA and saying "My friends.." O was looking at the minister.

:puke:

I sure hope no one in my family slips and uses the "my friend" phrase with me. I'm afraid I would have a knee-jerk reaction and punch somebody. I am sick to DEATH of this phrase!

[stray cat]

9. I learned that I'm much more comfortable with Obama a perception that came across of humility

and a willingness to listen to a variety of counselors.

[1Hippiechick]

11. Here are the video links for you to watch. For any Biblical scholars there last night

Obama ran circles around McCain in his knowledge of the Bible and belief system and how he ties that to the Presidency, e.g., Matthew 25:35 (he didn't use this quote, but this is the quote he referenced about taking care of others in our society.)

The problem was the audience, obviously. Far right Christians like the black-and-white fast responses. There is no shade of grey in their world. It's all black and white. Period. McCain delivered what they wanted to HEAR. Obama delivered thoughtful responses and explained WHY he said what he said.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x170650

[TexasObserver]

13. it was fixed, by McCain getting the questions ahead of time

There is no way this stumbling, bumbling fool could have ready an answer for every question that he could barely keep in his mouth until the question was concluded.

We saw none of the John McCain who fumbles for a thought.

He had been coached to give EACH answer.

[SKKY]

18. I've heard MSM pundits make mention of that as well...

...Disappointing if true.

[Diamonique]

14. I disagree with #5.

I think people were able to learn something about who Obama is. He took the purpose of the forum seriously, gave thoughtful answers, and didn't pander.

Nothing new was learned about McCain because he didn't offer anything of himself.. he just spewed talking points from his speeches and old POW stories.

[SKKY]

17. What I've heard was that Obama surprised people by his "sincerity"...

...He's always struck me as being a very, very sincere person. I don't know why that surprised anyone.

[Life Long Dem]

25. And don't forget how inspiring he is...

Saddleback Presidential Candidates Forum

Aired August 16, 2008 - 20:00 ET


WARREN: The first one is Christianity. Now, you've made no doubts about your

faith in Jesus Christ. What does that mean to you? What does it mean to you

to trust in Christ? And what does that mean to you on a daily basis? What

does that really look like?


OBAMA: As a starting point, it means I believe in -- that Jesus Christ died

for my sins, and that I am redeemed through him. That is a source of strength

and sustenance on a daily basis. Yes, I know that I don't walk alone. And I

know that if I can get myself out of the way, that I can maybe carry out in

some small way what he intends. And it means that those sins that I have on a

fairly regular basis, hopefully will be washed away.

But what it also means, I think, is a sense of obligation to embrace not just

words, but through deeds, the expectations, I think, that god has for us. And

that means thinking about the least of these. It means acting -- well,

acting justly, and loving mercy, and walking humbly with our god. And that --

I think trying to apply those lessons on a daily basis, knowing that you're

going to fall a little bit short each day, and then being able to kind of

take note and saying, well, that didn't quite work out the way I think it

should have, but maybe I can get a little bit better. It gives me the

confidence to try things, including things like running for president, where

you're going to screw up once in a while.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0808/16/se.02.html

[Coexist]

15. "Obama went to McCain's turf, and played him to a draw."

I like that take on it.

[RichardRay]

16. Having the duty...

There's a concept I haven't seen on this board before.

I did a few years in Uncle Sam's Canoe Club and, while it wasn't a particularly good time, I learned some interesting things. One of them is the concept of 'having the duty'. It's one that should be more common, it's amazing the number of screw ups that happen in business, government and day-to-day life because nobody knows who has the watch.

[KittyWampus]

19. McCain told his "Cross in the Sand" story from his POW days and it's been exposed as plagiarism

from the 1975 book Gulag Archipelago

[book_worm]

20. basically it was a GOP friendly audience and crowd so if Obama converted one person that is a win

for him.

[RoyGBiv]

21. That's my take ...

Emphasis on this:

3. Obama went to McCain's turf, and played him to a draw.

Viewed from the proper perspective, playing him to a draw in this forum is in essentially a victory because it lessens or makes more dangerous attacks on Obama in the context of religion. That's really all Obama had to do.

I'd add a 5.1: While not learning anything really new about either candidate, McCain went on record in a public forum with certain desire policy positions he had previously treated suspiciously, e.g. we've got direct commentary about his desire to overturn Roe from the election itself.

[depakid]

22. McCain exceeded expectations

and had direct well crafted answers to most of the questions (despite the lunatic views undelying them).

Obama was once again rather nuanced, providing thoughful and contemplative replies- but few consise or memorable lines.

Fortunately, not many people were watching- and the spin afterwards was limited.

[Occam Bandage]

23. I watched the Olympics instead. I am happy with my decision.

[ZinZen]

24. I watched a movie

I am happy with that decision also.

[goodgd_yall]

26. I wouldn't say Rick Warren was even-handed

He really brightened up when McCain was on. I thought it was obvious who he favored. He was low-key and unreactive with Obama.

Yeah, I'd say we didn't learn anything new about either candidate, just reconfirmed that Obama is intelligent and thoughtful while McCain is a pandering, exploitative simpleton.

[SKKY]

27. I thought Warren did OK with Obama...

...just from the clips I've seen. But, I appreciate your take on it! :thumbsup:

[goodgd_yall]

28. He did OK with Obama, and

if he was the same with McCain, I would say Warren was fair-minded. But it was that he seemed more friendly and buddy-buddy with McCain that made me see him as biased in favor of McCain.