Obama Fumbled the Faith Forum

It is old news now, but I want to weigh in on the Faith Forum hosted by pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church that both John McCain and Barack Obama participated in this past Saturday. Being one who cares deeply about matters of faith, I watched the entire event very carefully. I agree with the consensus that in terms of overall impact McCain kicked butt. Word is out today that he was not in a so-called "cone of silence" while Obama was being questioned as we had been told. I don't know if that is true or not, but he certainly made Obama look like an amateur in comparison as he fielded the same basic questions that Warren had first asked Obama.

Words the pundits have used to characterize McCain's performance are "clear" and "concise." McCain gave direct, "black and white" answers to questions about abortion and defeating evil among others, with but one exception. When Warren queried about what is rich, asking for a specific number, McCain gave a speech on prosperity ideals and then wisecracked that it is having $5 million or more. It was obvious he quickly wished he hadn't said that and tried to back pedal and make light of it. But he did say it, and in so doing he exposed his hand. His administration will continue the policies that favor the wealthy.

Obama gave a very troubling response when the question of abortion was raised. It was the one issue about which he made a clear and concise statement. He supports Roe vs. Wade. That's not news, but to so bluntly state it in that particular forum is a tough pill to swallow for many. One point Obama did make is worth noting. After 8 years of Republican administration, several of which with Republican majorities in Congress, the number of abortions being performed annually has not diminished. Being pro-life has to mean more than saying you philosophically oppose abortions. Could it be that Obama's stated objective of decreasing the number of abortions by means of education, better health care and strengthening the family (while not undoing Roe vs. Wade) could ultimately be more effective in reducing the number of abortions than the pro-life lip service approach of the Republicans?

My overall impression at the end of this particular event is that McCain came across as a man in charge. Obama did not. Stay tuned...

Celebrity Envy

I think I may know why the Republicans and John McCain are so obsessed with Barack Obama's celebrity status. There was a very telling incident just this week at the Iowa State Fair. On Thursday, August 7, the state fair (one of the biggest in the country) opened with a local radio sponsored corn dog eating contest. Everyone arriving at the fair before 8:30 AM that day was promised free admission to the fair in exchange for their willingness to join with the others who showed up to eat corn dogs simultaneously. They hoped to set a Guinness World Record for people eating corn dogs at the same time. The station planned for 8000, but 42,000 people created traffic snarls and long lines at the gates! The entire east side of Des Moines,Iowa was in gridlock during the morning commute.

The following day, with much hoopla and local media coverage, it had been announced that John McCain would visit the fair and make a speech. Estimates were that only about 200 diehards huddled together to hear what he had to say. The remaining more than 100,000 fair attendees that day ignored him. That's right. The Republican nominee for president of the United States could only get about 200 people to pay attention to what he had to say when he visited the Iowa State Fair. In comparison, Barack Obama has had hundreds of thousands show up for some of his recent speeches.

I guess we can forgive McCain for a little celebrity envy.

I think we can also say with certainty that, like many voters, Iowa State Fair goers are pushovers for free lunches and pork.