A Civil Forum

Last night John McCain and Barack Obama each had an hour to answer the same questions posed by Rick Warren, pastor of the mega Saddleback Church in Southern California. This forum was the first dual appearance of the two presidential candidates to take place in the 2008 Presidential contest.

Mr. Warren emphasized that this was intended to be a civil forum, that is, a discussion conducted in a respectful and fair way.

It also had a decidedly religious and ethical emphasis, with character highlighted.

In my estimation the contrast between the two candidates was remarkable: Mr. Obama's thoughtful and nuanced answers directed to the host; Mr McCain's answers brief but often fortified by a personal anecdote from his storied past spoken to the audience/camera. In terms of getting the message out to the Evangelical audience in the Saddleback church as well as the country, Mr. McCain was effective.

What I found most salient was the nature of the forum itself: Evangelical, yes, but more, the new Evangelicalism Rick Warren represents, what he calls not "pro-life" rather "whole life," meaning a broader outlook than just abortion and gay marriage and narrowly American. In the Evangelical mix, an important component of the electorate, Mr. Warren co-opted Evangelical high ground with his world perspective and and emphasis on civility. In the culture wars of recent decades civility has been hijacked. Whether this tempers the Evangelical tone, remains to be seen; however Mr. Warren has positioned himself and outlook against an old guard.

As the face to face campaign began, it is noteworthy that it began in a Church, with an emphasis on civility.

An Imperfect Storm: No Joke!

Stuart Shepard, director of digital media for Focus Action, the political arm of the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family, created a two and a half minute video in which he repeatedly asked, "Would it be wrong to ask people to pray for rain?" He wanted a certain sort of storm with a particular effect. "I'm talking-umbrellas-ain't-gonna-help-you rain. Not flood-people-out-of-their-houses rain, just good ol' swamp-the-intersection rain...network-cameras-can't-see-the podium rain." The aforementioned podium of course would be the one Barack Obama will stand behind on August 28 at Denver's Mile High Stadium to accept the Democratic nomination for President.

The video was posted on the organization's website on July 31. Though Mr. Shepherd and his organization called it "a joke," the video was recently removed after some labeled it objectionable.

In my estimation Mr. Shepherd and his Focus Action colleagues (and by association Focus on the Family, Mr. Dobson et. al) weren't really joking, but engaging in what Mr. Shepherd called "hyperbole."

He wasn't joking when he said,"I'm still pro life, and I'm still in favor of marriage as being between one man and one woman. And I would like the next president who will select justices for the next Supreme Court to agree." By implication he wanted his God to show concurrence with a timely "rain of biblical proportions."

The video had an edge, in a mildly mean spirited way. It had an attitude: that Mr. Shepherd's God would want to rain on Mr. Obama's parade, because God doesn't approve of Mr. Obama.

The tone of the video is no surprise, including its questionable bad taste, given the source. What I found most offensive was Mr. Shepherd's protest that it was only a joke. It wasn't just a joke.

I'm tired of those in the populist media who refuse to stand up for what they say, but like Mr. Shepherd hide behind transparent humor. The words disingenuous and calculating come to mind.