Set the TiVos: John McCain, Barack Obama and Rick Warren live

CNN just announced that it will air live the Saddleback Civil Forum on the Presidency at 5 p.m. PDT Saturday. That's the Orange County get-together bringing Barack Obama and John McCain in conversation with pastor Rick Warren.

(UPDATE: C-SPAN has also announced it will broadcast the forum live.)

For those who don't look at nonfiction bestseller books or frequent bookstores, Warren is the author of the mega-selling "The Purpose Driven Life" and pastor of the 22,000-member Saddleback Church.

The candidates won't appear together, but CNN notes that this is the first time both candidates have been within hailing distance of each other since they locked up their parties' nominations. And the appearances signal how important faith communities are to each campaign.

On the agenda: "compassion, faith, values and leadership." Warren will ask all the questions, and a coin toss determined Obama goes on first.

-- Scott Martelle

Comments

[Lisa]

Anyone can purchase tickets now (there are some still left):

http://brushfire.e-vent.info/events/SaddlebackCivilForum/Tickets.aspx?Event=21871

[Jim]

I think it is great we will be able to hear some answers to these questions. However, I hope Paster Warren doesn't sugar coat the questions. We have seen way too many times political battles on very direct questions like abortion, same sex marriage, immigrant issues, etc, etc.

I thank the newtworks for airing this event. I plan on making my political decision on who best answers the most direct questions Warren will give if he does. If he doesn't, then it could sound like any other politician who tries to ride the fence.

The only true candidate that spoke heartfelt truth about the issues I have heard is out of the race. MikeH.

Can't wait to see and hear this--very important to me anyway.