McCain Just Lost Some Faith-based Voters Tonight. (Bowed out of the Compassion Forum on CNN)

[berni_mccoy]

As if McCain was already on loose ground with his base, he just sunk considerably by avoiding the Faith-based Compassion Forum on CNN. He was invited to this non-partisan discussion of faith in politics and all the media could do is excuse it as McCain says it's personal for him. The Religious leaders being interviewed didn't like that answer. They said it hurt him considerably. The religious leaders all agreed this is a great change for the Democratic party for its candidates to take such an issue that is important to them seriously and with respect. The questions tonight did not focus on the abortion issue or even the education issue, but the morality of participating in war, of condoning torture, fighting poverty and disease, helping other countries in the world and even Global Warming as being stewards of God's earth. It was a great opportunity for Democrats to connect with faith leaders on a majority of issues that have been traditionally liberal and democratic stances. All in all, it was a great night for Democrats.

On Edit: Note: members of ALL faiths: Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, etc, were present. This was not a single-faith forum.

[ColbertWatcher]

1. Disagree...

...McCain can claim he isn't using religion as a "wedge issue".

[berni_mccoy]

4. Nobody was using it as a wedge issue. It was a chance for faith leaders to learn

about the candidates and how they justify their positions on issues with their own faith.

[ColbertWatcher]

9. But the GOP will spin it as such...

...they will use this later.

And claim that religion and politics should be separate, and they have always supported the separation blah, blah, blah.

You know the drill.

No matter what the GOP says or does not say is always explained later and the explanation is accepted by the mindless sheep.

[CANDO]

17. Like so many Republican campaigns recently?

I agree it can be a wedge issue, but this forum tonight was not a "wedge issue". McCain loses badly because Hillary and especially Barack talked so eloquently to so many issues raised this evening as to how it corresponds to their understanding of faith in their own lives.

[ColbertWatcher]

21. What McCain will do is...

...stage one for himself, where he doesn't have to respond to any opposing points of view.

It will be one opinion, but presented as though it represents every American.

And of course that opinion will be:

[Olney Blue]

2. Part of me admires him for boycotting this event.

[berni_mccoy]

5. Why?

[Olney Blue]

12. I hate hypocrisy, and it is said that he rarely goes to "church."

I suspect he is not a spiritual person, and I 'm glad he didn't try to fake it.

That's all. I wouldn't vote for him regardless.

[dflprincess]

6. Admire might be a little strong

but I do think he did the right thing and I'm sure it's the only time I'll say that about McCain.

[Hekate]

8. And most of me is glad he did but that the Dems went for it. I'm just crossing my fingers ...

...that they did okay with the religious while staying true to themselves.

Hekate

[CANDO]

18. Please!

A man who calls his wife a cunt shouldn't even be invited to such an event as this. At least he knows his place.

[NJmaverick]

3. No question McCain did harm to himself and the GOP

There is already a change in religion, as it goes away from the conservatives strengths of anti-choice and discrimination against gays. They now have issues like torture and the environment, that play to the Democrat's and liberal's strengths. Now McCain does something that could be perceived as a lack of respect for the religious community. All good for us all bad for them.

[patrice]

7. That WAS a very bad move. So bad, it's hard to believe they did that.

Did you notice how INCLUSIVE all of Obama's answers were? e.g. on creation in six days, he gave his points for his perspective and included "There's room for this debate in the Faith community."

Every answer clearly staked out a definite position and then connected to those who disagree by including descriptions of their positions too. Very holistic AND coherent.

McCheney must have somekind of health issue to miss something like this, or maybe they're just writing these folks off this time.

[NJmaverick]

10. Agreed, Obama was able to invite all Americans to support him

He united instead of divided. He was at his very best and scored mega points.

[frogcycle]

11. I tuned in late, just saw the last 15 min or so

but BHO was terrific. The 6 days one was a good example. I thought he probably scored with a lot of people. those so hard over on abortion or literalism aren't going to change anyway, but there are a lot more pragmatists out there than one might think from what the press portrays. I think it was a plus for Dems in general.

[patrice]

23. His Abortion answer received solid applause.

He covered the full spectrum of positions and related them in a coherent prochoice approach to solving the problem of how to reduce abortions based upon Women's right to consult with her doctor, family and minister.

[Lars39]

14. Were non-believers even mentioned by him?

I'd like to think he would have stuck up for the non-believer. Just curious...I didn't watch. :hi:

[berni_mccoy]

15. Yes, he specifically included them, saying they have as much place in democracy as people of faith

The question was about separation of church and state and how faith should be factored in.

[Lars39]

16. That's good! :^)

[patrice]

19. Yes, he talked about how those in government could not be expected

to be either totally without religious perspective nor should they be fully identified with religion and that individuals come into public service with their own personal beliefs that inform their work and relationships individually, but the country is christian, and buddhist, and muslim, and non-believers too, so government must represent all of them.

[Lars39]

20. Thanks, patrice!

:hi:

[patrice]

24. You're welcome. : - ) . . . a pleasure . . .

:hi:

[bluestateguy]

13. Our religious right is not much interested in charity for the underprivileged

Unless its to provide it in a condescending way or to proselytize, which is their real agenda.

They believe that unrestrained, unregulated capitalism is Biblically ordained, and that the poor should fend for themselves.

[Stinky The Clown]

22. On this particular point, he earned more of my respect than did the wo Democrats

"this point" being the fucked up pandering and constitutional abrogation on teevee.

I wish our two hot shots had stayed the fuck away from it.

[Marr]

25. Doesn't matter. Christian fundamentalists will vote for him because he's

not black (if Obama's the nominee) or because he's not Hillary Clinton (if Hillary Clinton's the nominee).

They vote against things, not for things. They'll vote against either of our potential candidates.

I think this is just one more example of why Hillary should've dropped out of the race before now. Our candidate shouldn't be in this forum at all, as it can only cost them votes from the non-religiously insane. They won't pick up any support from fundamentalists. But, if you've got two candidates slugging it out, neither is going to allow their competitor a chance to monopolize a television camera.

[enlightenment]

26. Wow.

That is some of the most convoluted logic I've read today! Congratulations on that.

[EFerrari]

27. I think the poster is right. McSame blew it by not showing up.

The wingers feel abandoned now.

And the 30%ers do vote against things, not for things.

And our primary needs to end because we're now doing McSame's work for him.