I just watched the forum at Saddleback with the presidential candidates conducted by Rick Warren. My initial thoughts:   

1. Obama didn’t win over any evangelicals tonight. We already knew his answers on abortion and same sex unions wouldn’t be popular, but I thought he might have won some people with his candor or moderation. I don’t think it worked. He really should have focused more on reducing the number of abortions and how his policies are proven to do just that. A tough, straight answer like, “An Obama administration will save more unborn children than a McCain administration that continues Bush’s domestic agenda” would have been amazing. Obama could have made it clear that he wasn’t going to retreat the moral ground on the abortion issue. He didn’t. He did nothing to change peoples’ perceptions of liberal Democrats. Instead, he seemed more concerned about the militant pro-choice wing of his party getting upset. It was a major missed opportunity to change the debate. 

2. Obama seemed to make another gaff when Warren and the entire audience laughed at a veiled reference to the first line of his book (“It’s not about you.”) Obama didn’t laugh. He was on the outside of the joke. It revealed that he hadn’t read the book. More importantly, it communicated “I’m not one of you.” That was lethal to a candidate whose been talking about his faith a lot and first gained attention from religious voters in ’04 when his DNC speech included a line about worshipping “an awesome God” in the blue states. That was Evangelical-ese that subtly communicated, “I’m one of you…I get you.” That was undone tonight. 

3. Obama’s short resume was obvious. When Rick asked about past political experiences or positions Obama didn’t reach back very far. He talked about working on campaign finance reform in the Senate (with McCain, BTW) and his stand against the Iraq War. (Really, Obama was against the war? Who knew.) By contrast, McCain spoke about his disagreement with Reagan back in the ’80s on Lebanon. Obama looked inexperienced; untested. (Anyone else here that phone ringing?)

4. In contrast to Obama, McCain probably won over some skeptical evangelicals tonight. To be fair, he was coming in to a fairly friendly audience. He didn’t have as tough a crowd as Obama. One easy layup he made was on abortion. He simply stated that he would be a pro-life president. Period. You can put that issue to rest. But what about doing something more than appointing pro-life judges? What policy changes will he make to promote life from the womb to the tomb? This is where the GOP is weak. Like Obama, he didn’t do anything to change peoples’ perceptions of his party.

5. McCain also referenced the opening line of Warren’s book, “It’s not about you.” And he did it without being prompted. He clearly communicated, “I get you. I’m one of you.” He came across as an insider–something he’s struggled to do with religious voters this year, and when he’s tried (like with Hagee and Parcley) its been a disaster.

6. His “hero” brand really shined tonight. First, he talked about his decision while a POW to not accept early release because of his father’s high rank. He let another soldier go home first because he’d been in prison longer. McCain stayed another 3 years in terrible conditions. That’s sacrifice. But it came off a bit self-righteous. (“Look how amazing I am.”) If he’d talked more about how he struggled with the decision it would have been more relatable; more authentic. In addition (and this was probably my favorite moment of the evening) he said that after 9/11 Americans shouldn’t have been told to go shopping and take a vacation. Instead they should have been told to serve others, volunteer, get involved,  join the Peace Corps. In other words, GIVE and SACRIFICE. (Amen to that.) Not only was it a way for McCain to distance himself from W, it was perfectly consistent with his own story and campaign message. 

7. McCain showed humility by saying the failure of his first marriage was his “greatest moral failure.” Evangelicals have allowed divorced nominees amid their ranks before (Reagan), but they expect some repentance and humility as an entrance fee. For a very private candidate, his words seemed authentic. Also, his brief story about meeting his adopted daughter won points on multiple fronts…the issues of global poverty touch home for McCain. That’s a big issue for moderate evangelicals.

8. Both candidates sucked up to Warren and the church too much. At least McCain owned that. I think he said he was going to do some pandering. It seemed like both Obama and McCain couldn’t pass up an opportunity to praise Rick and Saddleback for their programs and work overseas. Yadda, yadda, yadda. Once is enough guys. Be polite and respectfully admire the church’s ministries, but you both sounded like…well, politicians. Yuck.   

To be totally transparent, I’ve been unimpressed with McCain throughout this campaign but I remain uncommitted to either candidate. But tonight the unexpected happened. The candidate who inspires (Obama) fell flat. And the candidate whose been flat (McCain) managed to inspire. Was it a case of friendly vs. hostile audience? Maybe. But if this is a preview of the upcoming debates its going to be interesting. This race is far from over. 

One final reflection…the biggest loser tonight was W. Both candidates distanced themselves from him to different degrees, but for me tonight made me even more upset about the way McCain got trashed by W’s campaign in South Carolina eight years ago. (A well documented and nasty political trick…look it up.) I’m guessing McCain would have had an easier time beating Gore in 2000…and that makes one wonder what 8 years of a McCain administration would have been like rather than W’s. Oh well.

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