10 Questions Rick Warren Won't Ask John McCain
By Jon Perr Thursday Aug 14, 2008 2:03pm
On Saturday, August 16th, megachurch preacher and Purpose-Driven Life author Rick Warren will host the first joint appearance of campaign '08 by Barack Obama and John McCain. In what CNN is billing as the "Compassionate Leader Forum," Warren will lead separate conversations with Obama and McCain, who will meet on stage at the beginning and/or end of the event at Warren's Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California.
While the anti-gay Warren and his co-sponsor the multi-denominational group Faith in Public Life will apparently be the arbiters of presidential compassion, Reverend Warren insists Saturday's event is not about "gotcha" questions for the candidates:
"This is a critical time for our nation and the American people deserve to hear both candidates speak from the heart -- without interruption -- in a civil and thoughtful format absent the partisan 'gotcha' questions that typically produce heat instead of light."
But for the good people at the Red State blog, that's simply not good enough. Declaring that "abortion on demand is non-negotiable," Red State's open letter to Reverend Warren insists he promise to confront Obama on the issue. Failing to do so at the event, "it would be better to cancel it." No doubt, Rick Warren will ask Barack Obama about his views on abortion and women's reproductive rights.
But among the questions on AIDS, poverty, climate change and the candidates' personal faith, the notoriously reserved on religion John McCain can rest assured he won't face tough questions about his own.
Here, then, are 10 questions Rick Warren won't ask John McCain.
1. In 2006, you recanted your claim six years earlier that Pat Robertson and the late Jerry Falwell were "agents of intolerance." What changed your mind?
During the 2000 campaign, you famously claimed that the late Jerry Falwell was an "agent of intolerance." But when Meet the Press' Tim Russert on April 2, 2006 asked whether you "still believe that Jerry Falwell is still an agent of intolerance?" you reversed yourself and said, "no, I don't." The next month, you gave the commencement address at Reverend Falwell's Liberty University. Just weeks earlier, the Daily Show's Jon Stewart asked you, "Are you going into crazy base world?" to which you replied, "I'm afraid so." Why did you change your position on Falwell and Robertson being agents of intolerance? Were you pandering to the "crazy base world" of Republican primary voters?
2. You've said, "The most important thing is that I am a Christian." Why is that the most important thing?
Campaigning in South Carolina last fall, you responded to questions about whether you were a Baptist or an Episcopalian by proclaiming, "the most important thing is that I am a Christian." What did you mean by that? Was your Christian faith the most important thing for you personally, or just for the heavily evangelical voters of South Carolina?
3. Speaking of which, are you an Episcopalian or a Baptist?
You were raised as an Episcopalian and during your "Service to America" tour in April made a point of visiting your old prep school, Episcopal High. A Congressional directory lists your religion as Episcopalian, as did a questionnaire your campaign staffers completed in August for a debate in South Carolina. Yet you've attended the 7,000 member North Phoenix Baptist Church for 15 years. Despite never having been baptized, you said of your faith in September, "It plays a role in my life. By the way, I'm not Episcopalian. I'm Baptist." So just to clear up any lingering confusion, are you an Episcopalian or a Baptist?
4. Will you ask your supporters to respect Barack Obama's Christian faith?
On more than one occasion, you pledged to run a "respectful" campaign. Yet despite Barack Obama's repeated and heartfelt proclamations of his Christian faith, many in the conservative movement accuse Obama of being a Muslim. Polling data show that the percentage of American who believe Barack Obama is a Muslim increased to 12% in July. Do you believe Barack Obama is a Christian? Will you ask your supporters to stop promulgating the myth that his is a Muslim? Will you ask them to respect Obama's Christian faith? For that matter, will you ask them to respect the faith of Muslim Americans?
5. Do you agree with Pastor John Hagee that war with Iran is the fulfillment of biblical prophecy?
Back in February, you shared a stage with Pastor John Hagee and said you were "very proud" to have his endorsement. Then in May, you announced that you "must reject his endorsement, given "deeply offensive and indefensible" remarks he had made about the Holocaust. But given your own tough talk and past jokes about "bomb bomb Iran" and killing Iranians with cigarettes, do you join Pastor Hagee in believing the United States must attack Iran to fulfill the biblical prophecy of Armageddon in Israel in which 144,000 Jews will be converted to Christianity and the rest killed?
6. Why did you change your position on overturning Roe v. Wade?
In 1999, you announced your opposition to overturning Roe v Wade, "But certainly in the short term, or even the long term, I would not support repeal of Roe v. Wade, which would then force X number of women in America to [undergo] illegal and dangerous operations." But in November 2006, you answered "yes" when ABC’s George Stephanapolous asked if "you’d be for that?" Why did your change your mind on overturning Roe? Was it so your campaign could claim in a February press release during the Republican primaries that "John McCain is far and away the most consistently anti-abortion of all the top contenders?"
7. Do you support the Bush administration's attempt to redefine many forms of birth control as abortion?
A draft proposal by President Bush's Department of Health and Human Services would "withhold government funds from health-care providers and organizations that don't hire people who refuse to perform abortions or provide certain types of birth control." Senator Hillary Clinton wrote HHS Secretary Leavitt that "this definition would allow health-care corporations or individuals to classify many common forms of contraception - including the birth control pill, emergency contraception and IUDs - 'abortions' and therefore to refuse to provide contraception to women who need it." Do you agree with the Bush administration's proposal to redefine these contraception methods as "abortion?" While you're at it, have you decided whether or not you believe insurance companies covering Viagra for men should also be required to cover birth control for women?
8. Do you believe, as you said last September, that "the Constitution established the United States of America as a Christian nation?"
In an interview with BeliefNet last September, you said that:
"I just have to say in all candor that since this nation was founded primarily on Christian principles, personally, I prefer someone who has a grounding in my faith."
"I would probably have to say yes, that the Constitution established the United States of America as a Christian nation."
After withering criticism from Jewish and Islamic groups, you backtracked the next day and claimed, "Yes, I believe a Muslim could be president." Do you still believe that "the Constitution established the United States of America as a Christian nation?" Do you agree with Mike Huckabee that "what we need to do is amend the Constitution so it's in God's standards?"
9. Do you believe Americans should pray for rain to end droughts – or to wash out Barack Obama's acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention?
Last November, Georgia Republican Governor Sonny Perdue held a public vigil at the state house to "pray up a storm" to end the drought in the Southeast. His plea followed on the heels of Alabama Governor Bob Riley's week-long "Days of Prayer for Rain" that June. Just days ago, Focus on the Family, led by James Dobson (who recently announced "the possibility is there that I might" endorse you) posted a video calling on its supporters to pray for "rain of biblical proportions" during Obama's DNC speech in Denver. Should your supporters pray for rain on Obama's parade? Should elected officials lead public prayers for rain to end droughts? Do you believe those prayers work?
10. Do you know the difference between Sunni and Shiite Muslims?
You've long touted your commander-in-chief credentials in the struggle against Islamic extremism. Yet on four occasions in under a month, you confused Sunni and Shiite, friend and foe in Iraq. Given you repeated - and mistaken - statements about a non-existent Al Qaeda alliance with Iran, can you tell the American people: what are the differences between Sunni and Shiite Muslims?
Of course, those are just some of the uncomfortable questions John McCain could - but won't - face from Pastor Rick Warren Saturday. McCain's endless reversals on teaching intelligent design in public schools and his dependence on PEPFAR opponent Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) for his AIDS policy are just two. And then there's issue of McCain's past adultery. When asked by ABC's Jake Tapper during a discussion about John Edwards if he would have "compunctions about voting for someone who had cheated on his wife," Rick Warren answered, "Absolutely I would."
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Oh for FUCKS SAKE!!!!
WTF is a goddamn preacher doin hostin a PRESIDENTIAL debate?!?!?!
GODDAAAAAAAAMNIT!
Bah....
America's a secular country, dammit! Stop pretending the only religion practiced here is Christianity! This nation is freethinking, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Shinto, and several indigenous religions as well. Asshats go home! Asshats go home!
This really chaps my hide!
I guess separation of church and state in this country has finally withered and died...fuckin great...
Since Warren told Jake Tapper today that he could never vote for John Edwards because Edwards committed adultery, he should ask McCain if he has ever committed adultery, no?
Sorry, but I think this is just about as sick and unAmerican an event that anyone could drum up. But then again CNN posts the dim-witted Beck's rantings as headline news so there you go. Just when you think it couldn't go any lower into the dumper in this country. Sick!
We the faithless patriots will watch this spectacle in horror.
#11
Is that Bigfoot in the freezer, or just some poor schmuck in an ape suit?
(wait - he probably will ask that one...)
hold the phone... obama agreed to this debate??
wtf?
this is insanity.
Samson- @ 8:
Welcome to the human race. Glad you've joined us.
"Question for the candidates: If another dude grabbed your nazz would you A: Kick him in the family marble-bag, or B: Lay your hands on him and attempt to heeeaallll him of his affliction?"
More questions for McCain
Do you feel any guilt about killing innocent Vietnamese people?
Why do you keep repeating unsubstantiated claims about Iran?
Why is Joe Lieberman always over your shoulder?
Ceasefire agreement. The bully bullying the bully from the bloody pulpit
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iU0z8n94gB9tlTOp-GGBxH7vSjZA
The Bears worry the Bulls
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/15/business/worldbusiness/15ruble.html?_r...
I HOPE Rick Warren asks Obama about abortion. Obama's stance on abortion is, essentially, that he agrees with the law as it is: abortion should be legal, although the state may impose restrictions that do not conflict with Roe. If I recall correctly, a little over seventy percent of the voting public shares this opinion. So raising the issue (provided it's done fairly, and not using some bizarro wingnut framing) can only help him.
1. How many hookers have you slept with?
2. How old is the Earth?
3. Would you be willing to be water boarded?
4. Would you allow Government contractors, who are known to have stolen for the US, to continue to receive no bid contracts?
5. As per the Nuremberg Laws, how many post WW2 Presidents are guilty of war crimes?
6. Would you serve 2 terms as President if elected?
7. Is Israeli life more valuable than Palestinian life?
8. Would you reopen the 9/11 investigation?
9. Is $600,000,000,000 a year enough money to keep our country secure?
10. Were you born on American soil?
And why did Obama agree to be the dog in this dog and pony show?
I saw Warren interviewed on tv this morning. He said he will ask each of the candidates the exact same questions. Each candidate will get one hour. Obama will go first. McCain will not be able to hear the questions asked of Obama or Obama's answers. The second hour McCain will be asked the same questions that Obama was asked.
This is not a debate at all but more of a question and answer session.
Another question for McCain. that Bay state liberal brought up over at Firedoglake
Have you ever been treated for Post Traumatic Syndrome? I think that is a fair question
Bitter Bud Hussein @ 7:
I saw that clip...looks kinda believable...but then again...it's Georgia, and the "Hawgzilla" debaucle comes to mind.
Pericles @ 14:
Becasue he thinks Warren is neutral when in fact he's moderately right.
Leadership @ 13:
11. Have you ever seen a grown man naked?
Do you think Vets should have access to all educational benefits, health insurance and all of their other benefits that you have sometimes voted against?
liberalNmoderation @ 19:
Hello, he's a sailor!!!!
I love to say it, well done on those ten questions. If I may propose a modest addition: "How does waring against another country simply because you suspect them of harboring terrorists fit with the teachings of Jesus Christ?"
Pericles @ 14:
What makes you think Obama thinks it is a dog and pony show?
I get the feeling that when Obama touts his Christian bona fides, he's serious. True, the prevailing wisdom holds that one simply cannot be elected to high office without at least feigning faith, but people seem all too willing to project their own beliefs onto Obama. So many of his supporters seem to think that Obama's beliefs only contradicts their own for political expediency.
Just tossing out an idea here -- maybe Obama believes this is a genuinely worthwhile event.
Senator McCain how was your affair any different than John Edwards affair?
Well with the exception that John Edwards does not seem to be leaving his wife
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cenk-uygur/why-doesnt-john-mccains-a_b_117...
This is what we are dealing with folks:
See that hog caller (woman) at the Illinois State Fair? Rachel had a piece about her last night on her show. Nice!
Today on Des Moines news from the Iowa State Fair they had a sort-of-poll. Asked people about which candidate they favored. Most people knew Mcshame was a republican and Obama was a Democrat. But they weren't sure what the candidates were for or against; but they did know the economy was in bad shape. One Des Moines station had also been running a "corn" poll at the Fair where people were given a kernel of corn and used it to vote for their favorite candidate by putting the corn in a jar. Some people wanted to know where the jar for Hillary was; one lady was caught on camera several times cheating by voting more than one time (don't know who her candidate was) and when I saw it Obama was ahead although mcshame was close.
You can't make this stuff up.
Leadership @ 21:
Inside of a Turkish prison, then? ;)
#23: who would jesus bomb
#24: when you say pro-life, does that include the death penalty?
#25: do you feel funny answering questions form a jesus profiteer?
#26: tell me about the first mrs. john mccain
In case any of you want to tackle the idiots who are reading the new Corsi book of lies, check out Wikileaks.
Karen @ 23:
I agree, and not just for the reasons you state. Fact is, Rick Warren is a superstar to a large number of American voters, and unlike many of his fellow megapreachers he does not seem to have a wingnut political agenda. This event is an opportunity for a lot of conservative-leaning voters to see Obama taken seriously and treated with respect by someone they admire. I think this was a smart move on Obama's part.
Karen @ 23:
HEY! Eeeeeasy now Karen...wielding logic like that...might put someones eye out!
Will they ask McCain if he has Georgia wrong?
Rice, Rove met with Mikheil Saakashvili while McCain had a conference call.
Rice visited personally on July 9-10,
Rove met with him later at the Yalta conference July 10 to July 12
*(July 10 was the congressional committee meeting that he was supposed to attend.)
McCain had a conference call with him in April (during which his foreign policy advisor's lobbying firm signed a new contract for consulting with Georgia).
Hmmmm. All these meetings and no one said, um, dude, messing with Russia would be a real bad move?
Georgia was increasingly convinced that it's a real partner of the United States, that the US would defend Georgia - practically regardless of what Georgia did.
new info:
*Ossetia is a ninety percent Russian
*Georgia invaded Ossetia trying to take control of the region and ethnically cleanse the Russian population.
*The Georgian Army, commanded by their Minister of Defense (who is also an Israeli citizen), launched a surprise invasion and attack that caused the deaths of at least a thousand people in its first 24 hours.
*This attack was committed while the attention of the world was on the Olympics.
*Thousands of Ossetian civilians became refugees from the Georgian assault.
*Instead of condemning Georgia from the outset for the invasion and massacre, Neocon controlled politicians such as George Bush are condemning Russia and attempting to move America and Europe toward a conflict with Russia.
Karen @ 26:
In an airport bathroom?
liberalNmoderation @ 32:
Over. Huh? Roger. Huh?
Leadership @ 21:
Hello, given his connections, he probably had a private shower!!!!
So when are the candidates taking questions from an imam at the nearest Muslim center? Or at the Dharma center from a Yogi? Maybe they can be interviewed by the Dhali Lama while he guest hosts "This Week With George Stephanopolis?"
No?
Didn't think so.
Bigots.
I'd like to see this question from anybody (likely not Rick Warren):
Senator McCain (and Obama), do you believe in evolution? Do you agree that humans and other living primates share a common ancestor? If not, could you please explain how the U.S. educational system became so deficient that its citizens keep nominating creationists for president, as the rest of the world looks on in horror?
Leadership @ 13:
Baadddd way to put that...
I mean, the Nuremberg Laws were the Nazi rules and regulations that turned Jews into fourth-class citizens. By that standard, only the administrations of the 1940s-1960s were guilty of breaking them, as per Jim Crow. The Nuremberg Laws provided a legal basis for genocide under Nazi law. They have little do with the War Crimes Tribunal.
OTOH, the Geneva Convention, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the abolition of statues of limitations of genocide Law, and the Genocide and Geneva conventions came through the verdicts of Nuremberg and Tokyo.
Leadership @ 21:
I think it was a reference to Airplane!, courtesy of Captain Oveur.
miss_kitty @ 34:
Do you like movies about gladiators?
Have you ever roller-skated in a buffalo ring?
Rusty The One Shackleford @ 29:
I agree, this will be good for Obama. I am interested in how McCain is going to handle this. I think it's going to be way more difficult for him than it will be for Obama.
At least this minister talks about the environment and how we should be treating the earth we were given with more care and respect. He talks about aids without damning some of the people who suffer with it. As ministers go, he surely isn't one of the worst.
so, we have debates hosted by jesus profiteers and corporate thuggies...
when do the PEOPLE get a chance? the 'commission on presidential debates' is an undemocratic joke, and ensures that the debates are full of fluff, and keep any non-corporate-speak out of the debate.
pissed off patricia @ 41:
That's all well and good...but it turns my stomach that a bloody preacher is moderating this thing...
As an atheist, I find this circus event extremely offensive.
Karen @ 33:
Got the clearance, Clarence?
ysbaddaden @ 40:
"No, my friends, but I'm proud because I have half a mind to do it."
Samson- @ 42:
The Womens' League of Voters. That was SOO last century.
When did you stop doing this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHEivPHjimw&feature=related
I can't believe Obama agreed to this event. Giving these charlitans an audience just makes them think that they are relevant after all. These people are religious wackos at best and snake oil salesman at worst.
Warren said this morning there will be no gotcha questions.
If the candidates have to have a religious forum and sadly these days they do, I think this is about the best one we could hope for.
Samson- @ 42:
This is not a debate. This is a minister asking the two candidates the exact same questions. First he will ask Obama the questions. Then McCain, who hasn't heard the questions or Obama's answers, will be asked the same questions.
Oh I see, it's a town hall meeting, in batshit delusional crazy town! Well, isn't that rich! I want all mega-churches to be taxable for this violation of law and Jesus once again, is not fucking running for president! Christians are fools and liars, no exceptions..
And just in time for this religious exercise, the right is touting John Karaagac's book written in 2000 and the claim that John McCain preached a sermon and rioted for church services while he was a POW. They claim he earned the sobriquet "Hell's Angel." Now Obama is not only the anti-Christ but McCain is the Messiah himself.
Will they ask McCain if he has Georgia wrong? MSM does it again
**just saw this video**
12 Year Old Girl Tells the Truth on Fox News about Georgia. Fox News even had to cut them off right in the middle of the account of Georgian aggression even though they had just come from a commercial break 2 minutes prior to that.
someguy @ 18:
Moderately right is neutral in Amerika today
Were any vacuums, blasts, cysts, or hot flashes noticed during your recent cerebral CAT Scans?
If you haven't had any scans recently, would you volunteer to take one, in the interest of full disclosure?
bushsuckcheney @ 44:
I find it offensive both as a Christian and as a human being.
Jusker @ 53:
I hope they don't want a Simon Bar Kokhba messiah....
Or we ain't just fucked, we dead.
pissed_off_patricia@51
it is even worse than i thought then.
this is just a mutually beneficial photo-op for obama, mccain, and warren.
i see no redeeming value.
"Circlejerk Leader Forum"
Question for McLame: "Since you have been and are currently receiving Soc. Sec.
benefits, in addition to your military retirement, are you still of the opinion, as you
have stated in the recent past, that the current Soc. Sec. system is a disgrace?"
this might be good for obama and mccain. but it is horrible for america.
now, i am not a christian, so maybe christians view this differently. i think this is a friggin shame, and my opinion of ALL involved has sunk even further.
why, pray tell, is a (supposed) secular govt's debate hosted by a christian preacher?
just another political stunt.
Going Terrier @ 55:
I don't know who told you that but it's a load of crap.
Obama will steal the GOP's evangelical base from the republicans, and the GOP will never win elections again.
ALL YOUR BASE BELONG TO US.
I'm not a religious person at all but I find this interesting. I'm curious to see how McCain holds up to the sort of questions he will be asked. This is the first time he will be on stage, minus his caretakers and on his own since his last debate. That last debate was a long time ago. He's more tired now and he's gotta be feeling more stress. Obama will be fresh and rested after his vacation. Like Karen, I feel Obama is sincere about his beliefs while McCain may well be just playing the part.
Agent_M @ 63:
If Obama can pull that off.......
wow. 8)
Senator mccain, was this your unit in the navy?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_iH1GhM2j8
OT but lookit anyway...
New fall fashions for the reichwing militant.
http://www.therightshirts.com/political/cpshop.cgi/antidemocrat.rightwin...
General_Rennenkampf @ 57:
Add anti-theists to that list.
tx @ 54:
I've posted the link twice today and I guess nobody gives a sh*t.
olo @ 68:
and agnostics
I'd say this country has cornered the market on hyper religious nutjobs. And the crazy thing is, Obama is playing along with this bullshit. At what point will US politicians stop kissing the collective ass of these smarmy preachers and pastors?
Give me secular Europe any day.
Agent_M @ 63:
It's actually "All you base are belong to us".
Senator Obama, could you translate this please?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-xHPU6NulM&feature=related
In case we think Intelligent Design movement has gone away (and isn't firmly grounded in the Fundamentalist view of reality), I wanna hear these:
1. Do you believe the Old Testament is the literal truth?
2. How old do believe the Earth is?
3. Do you consider Intelligent Design and/or Creationism to be valid science? If so, should they be taught along with Evolution?
These are "religious gotcha" questions, granted, but very relevant to how McCain will govern
and what policies he will lend his weight to as President.
Agent_M @ 63:
Sorry, "All your base are belong to us"
my bad
liberalNmoderation @ 70:
What about ignostics?
liberalNmoderation @ 43:
Believe me, I feel your pain. But for once this dynamic should work in our favor because Obama can talk the god-talk much more convincingly than McCain.
Ron @ 69:
I saw it yesterday and enjoyed the Fox guy just about sweating out loud when the little girl spoke followed by her aunt. I give a shit. I just didn't reply because I commented on it yesterday.