The Presidential Forum at the Saddleback Church, in affluent Lake Forest, California hosted both presidential candidates, Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain. Each spent an hour discussing issues pertinent to faith, morality and there implications on politics. The two White House contenders told of their personal feelings on issues such as abortion, the definition of marriage, and how faith figures in their lives.
During the event, John McCain detailed his experiences as a prisoner of war. Faith was his coping mechanism. The Arizona Senator told of instances when one of his captors showed mercy on him. According to McCain, it was understood they both shared the same God. Also, during the McCain segment, he expressed regrets for the failure of his first marriage. McCain also pledged as President to catch Osama Bin Laden saying if he had to follow him to the “gates of hell” he would.
Senator Obama spoke of how he used to be a selfish teenager, absorbed in being abandoned by his father. The 47-year old candidate also acknowledged using alcohol and drugs at that time to deal with his hurts. The Illinois Senator claims empathy as his reason for his Oval Office bid. Obama admits his faith leads him to believe America will get a president that we need.
The General Election is November 4, 2008.
Who gave the best presentation at the Forum and does faith really matter when selecting a President?