Faith Forum

Some comments on the recent Faith Forum 'debate' at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church.

I love the forum. This is a great opportunity to learn how the candidates think, and to hear unrehearsed answers without the distraction of partisan attacks and punch lines. I hope this becomes a tradition. Thank goodness one of these evangelicals has finally realized you attract more flies with honey than with vinegar.

McCain has much better domestic policies, and Obama has much stronger foreign policies. I know this is the opposite of what the ignorant masses think. I'm glad I don't have to answer to public opinion polls like these guys.

McCain sees every foreign policy issue through the prism of the military. It is a little scary when military thoughts crept in to his answers to non-military questions. His approach to evil in the world is single minded: "you have to defeat it". As president, I wonder how he would handle the half dozen or so evil regimes that exist. Would he attempt to defeat all of them at once, or one at a time? I am a firm believer in taking what people say at face value, and I have no doubt that he would get us into more than one new war if elected. We can pray it is not against Russia or China. Iran would be disastrous enough as it is. Watching him talk about war, do you get the impression of a man whose fondest wish is to recreate the glory of WWII?

Another thing that is scary is his opinion on the supreme court. He opposes the four liberal justices, who have maintained our personal liberties. I can assure you that replacing just one of them with another right winger will have a noticeable negative effect in your life.

Curmudgeon

McCain's depiction of Obama as a celebrity appeals to the curmudgeon in us. It resonates in a couple of ways.

1. People resent celebrities for achieving fame and fortune without hard work.
2. People are tired of hearing about the next new thing, which is really nothing special.

Unfortunately for Obama, number 1 is hard to fight, but he did it well against Hillary, who is a much better campaigner than McCain. And it is usually a small factor in presidential elections. Claims of 'not ready to lead' don't stand up for anyone who is objective and listens to what Obama is saying.

Number 2 should be easier. You just have to explain what the new thing is about, until it seems less risky. Very few voters want another Republican disaster, so the bar for this is not too high. Obama should address this issue head on, as is his style. He should talk about how change can be scary, but the risks can be managed. This has the additional advantage that his opponent becomes the candidate of the status quo (as if he is not that already).

If the Republicans want to subtly 'define' Obama as a 'celeb', then Obama should 'define' what their argument is by answering charge 2 instead of charge 1.