Rick Warren plans to get personal with McCain, Obama

How personal is Rick Warren planning to get when he interviews John McCain and Barack Obama during their appearance Saturday at his Saddleback Church in Orange County?

The evangelical leader and author told David Brody of the Christian Broadcasting Network that he will ask the presumptive Republican and Democratic presidential nominees "questions about character, competence, about values, vision, virtue, about their convictions in leadership, about their experience. And I'm going to deal with their personal life because character matters. Their personal life does matter as a leader. God says so."

The personal stuff could get particularly touchy for McCain if it points back to his first marriage, which ended in 1980.  As the Los Angeles Times has reported, McCain obtained a marriage license to wed his current wife, Cindy, while still legally married to his first wife, Carol. McCain has said he behaved badly and that the collapse of his first marriage "was attributable to my own selfishness and immaturity. The blame was entirely mine."

To be sure, if Warren wanted to be hard-edged about personal issues, he could probe Obama on why he stayed with Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. for two decades despite his now-former pastor’s incendiary sermons at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.

Warren's recent comments suggest he will take a higher road with the candidates. In referring to the general election, the mega-church leader recently told The Times, "It's not between a stud and a dud this year. Both of these men care about America. My job is to let them share their views."

Yet Warren took a stern tone on the topic of marital infidelity when asked by ABC's Jake Tapper about John Edwards' recent admission of cheating on his wife, Elizabeth. Warren said that while forgiveness must be instant, "There's a difference between forgiveness and trust."

Warren went on to acknowledge that he would have reservations about voting for someone who had cheated on his wife. "Because if  you can't keep your faith to your most sacred vow -- " 'til death do us part" -- how in the world can I trust you to lead my family? My government? My nation? ...  I think people first need to ask forgiveness and then earn trust back over time. Can trust be re-earned? Absolutely, but it takes time."

Even if Warren lets McCain off the hook on the demise of his first marriage, the Arizona senator still faces skepticism from parts of the evangelical community, which he has been courting in this election.

As Politico reports, top social conservative leaders in key battleground states are in an uproar over McCain's recent comments to the Weekly Standard that former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge's pro-abortion rights views wouldn’t rule him out as a vice presidential prospect.

"It absolutely floored me," Phil Burress, head of the Ohio-based Citizens for Community Values, told Politico. "It would doom him in Ohio."

-- Stuart Silverstein

Comments

[Michael Warner]

"Even if Warren lets McCain off the hook on the demise of his first marriage..."

McCain already admitted he behaved badly when his first marriage fell apart and took the blame. Why should Rick Warren mention something that happened 28 years ago?

[syzygy6]

McCain gives himself away every time he speaks with that stupid, practiced, smile and a muffled, deep, giggle. When I see and hear him do the above, it gives me the creeps, because, you guessed it, he IS a creep, like "Uncle Fester". McCain is just a dirty old man with a lust for power...among other things. Would he be a good president? Answer; Not really, because he is the "Prince of Darkness".

[apache girl]

Should be interesting if things are kept unbiased. But this I will have to see. Preachers, politicians, money--whats the diff ?

[John McCain Shirts]

"Warren went on to acknowledge that he would have reservations about voting for someone who had cheated on his wife. "Because if you can't keep your faith to your most sacred vow -- " 'til death do us part" -- how in the world can I trust you to lead my family? My government? My nation? ... I think people first need to ask forgiveness and then earn trust back over time. Can trust be re-earned? Absolutely, but it takes time."

Hrm.... So does McCain fall into this boat too, because I highly doubt he didnt have sex with Cindy before marrying her as he was still married to his crippled wife

[mimi ko]

You talk of 28 years AGO?? - When did MCCain become POW? - 30 years ago???- but he is relying on that experince for his entire candidacy?

Fair is fair - nothing is off the table or should not be.

[saint peter ii]

rick warren's quoting of God ["God say so"] with respect to the presidential candidates qualifications is open to question. for instance did God tell this to warren in person when warren was awake, in a dream, or on the top of a mountain? does warren have any other communications from God about current American politics or other topical matters? does warren have a trunk full of such communications that he will release at a latter point in the elections and most importantly how is God going to vote. visit The Church of the Immaculate Misconception at http://www.saintpeterii.com

[Bob Lauer]

When some McCain backer asks innocently, "Why should Rick Warren mention something that happened 28 years ago?', I will refer them to Ted Kennedy for the answer.
McCain was unfaithful and showed no class to his first said. Period. Maybe Republican have a different set of moral standards than everyone else.

[Bob Lauer]

When some McCain backer asks innocently, "Why should Rick Warren mention something that happened 28 years ago?', I will refer them to Ted Kennedy for the answer.
McCain was unfaithful and showed no class to his first said. Period. Maybe Republican have a different set of moral standards than everyone else.

[Ian]

The evangelical leader told David Brody of CBN that he will ask the presumptive presidential nominees "questions about character, competence, about values, vision, virtue, about their convictions in leadership, about their experience. And I'm going to deal with their personal life because character matters. Their personal life does matter as a leader. God says so...
Warren went on to acknowledge that he would have reservations about voting for someone who had cheated on his wife"

RW - Senator Obama have you ever cheated on the lovely Michelle?

BO - No pastor I have remained fatihful.

RW - Senator Obama have you ever had lustful thoughts about another woman since you have been married?

hmmm - I wonder what Mr. Warren's views are on voting for someone who has had lustful thoughts:

Matthey 5: 27-28
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ But I say to you, anyone who stares at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart"

[Bob Lauer]

When some McCain backer asks innocently, "Why should Rick Warren mention something that happened 28 years ago?', I will refer them to Ted Kennedy for the answer.
McCain was unfaithful and showed no class to his first said. Period. Maybe Republican have a different set of moral standards than everyone else.

[Timmy]

Both of the candidates needs to accept Jesus Chrihust as their personal savior. They need to get saved on the show. On the show. It would make for a good photo op of the future president getting saved, and then slain in the holy ghost.

[Tom]

Politics and religion should not mix in this type of public format. What gives gives Rick Warren the personal right to scrutinize these candidates individually and evaluate their moral values? I bet he has a few skeletons in his closet and most people get turned off when people like him hold themselves up against anyone who does not believe or fell the way they do.

[Ian]

The evangelical leader told David Brody of CBN that he will ask the presumptive presidential nominees "questions about character, competence, about values, vision, virtue, about their convictions in leadership, about their experience. And I'm going to deal with their personal life because character matters. Their personal life does matter as a leader. God says so...
Warren went on to acknowledge that he would have reservations about voting for someone who had cheated on his wife"

RW - Senator Obama have you ever cheated on the lovely Michelle?

BO - No pastor I have remained fatihful.

RW - Senator Obama have you ever had lustful thoughts about another woman since you have been married?

hmmm - I wonder what Mr. Warren's views are on voting for someone who has had lustful thoughts:

Matthey 5: 27-28
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ But I say to you, anyone who stares at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart"

[rh]

now now
were is that saying living n a glass house set's me up to be looked at
John has some cracks but BO has some CAYONS

[willyjohn]

What in heavens name gives Rick Warren the right to claim any foresight to quiz the next President of the United States about anything? Where are his leadership credentials? Why either candidate agreed to talk with this man as if he was the high and mighty arbiter of who should lead our country is beyond me. .

[Joe Ellis]

Wise up, Big Guy, if you haven't detected it already, Obama will tell you what he thinks you want to hear, not what he really believes/thinks.

For years McCain has been open about his terrible behavior when he came back from being a prisioner of war. Stupid acts. OK, so if he is completely disqualified from your consideration set, then why are you going to interview him? Could it be a camouflage or an excuse to support Obama -- which has been your implied position from the start? Don't try to make this some sort of a prayer-filled, spiritual decision. People are smarter than that.

I'm not a great fan of John McCain, but when you look at the records of the two men and the comments made during this campaign, I cannot see how an Evangelical leader could possibly vote for Obama.

So much for Evangelical leadership!

[ddan]

Why is it touchy for mcain if warren brings up his first marriage.?

But when we read on, warren is hard nosed if he brings up jerimiah wright.

There no bias here. Please!

[russ 74]

30 years ago was 1978. Pick up a history book mimi your off by 11 years. And as for his 'most sacred vow" he gave it when he joined the military and he kept that quite well.The man went through hell for his country and since has been one of the most bipartison senator's we have (especially in comparison to sen. obama) for which he has also caught hell.

[Glen Harris]

Rick Warren is one person getting a message out to people who are curious about the personal life and faith of both candidates. I'm not thinking this will change that much on the decision to vote for McCain or Obama.

[Kate Leahy]

"God said so."

Whose god?

[Doug Christian]

It's sad that the left has seemingly ceded the Christian ground to the right out of distaste for the radicals.

I am no longer a practicing Christian, but Christianity is not at odds with liberal beliefs. Most of the religious arguments against liberalism come from the old testament which are really Jewish arguments. I stopped identifying as a Christian when I realized Christians don't identify with Christ. If we're to believe the New Testament, Christ came to change a few things. He told us to stop the practice of "en eye for an eye" and instead "turn the other cheek" and try to "love thine enemies". Which side does that seem more like? He said "let he who is without sin cast the first stone" and yet the Christians stand at arms ready to fight. He defended the outcasts of society. Does anyone really believe that Jesus would scorn gay people rather than see them as loving human beings? Would he try to help the poor, the sick and the hungry, or try to hoard all he could get to himself? Would he support deception and preemptive war? Would he hate the countries that disagree with us an recommend doing everything in our power to bring everyone around to our side, or would he recommend trying to follow the path of understanding, sympathy, compassion, tolerance and trusting that we make it through.

We are becoming our own worst enemy. God, if only we WERE a Christian nation. Our path would be clear.

[whatwouldbuddhado]

the abortion question should be asked to the christian right or rick warren really? This the same group of people (republicans) that believe in the death penalty and the destruction and murder of innocent women, children, men in foreign countries all in the name of freedom, and they want to have this debate over saving the life of a fetus? gimme a break hypocrites. all politicians talk out of their ass when it comes to winning over a vast majority to win the white house. mccain has been the perfect manchurian candidate but i guess he's the best the gop can hope for. it's sad when this country that is supposedly 80% religious would make or break a presidential bid. really it's the small percentage of extreme right wing that give the country a bad taste and bad rep for that matter. religion should be a personal path to god but it's been anything BUT that. Keep religion out of politics. who gives rick warren the position of religious and moral authority for this country anyway?

[Miriam]

To Kate Leahy,

the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob said so.
To everybody: Rick Warren only tries to do what is best for the world.
What that is , and what to believe is everybodys own choice.