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DEL.ICIO.USNunn and Lewis rate mentions at Saddleback session
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Two Georgians were cited Saturday night by Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain as centrist leaders to whom they’d go for advice.
At the Saddleback Church session in California, organizer and pastor Rick Warren asked each presidential candidate to name three sounding-board figures.
Obama didn’t restrict himself. He named his wife Michelle and his maternal grandmother as personal critics.
Then came former Georgia senator Sam Nunn, a Democrat, and U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar, an Indiana Republican, for foreign policy purposes. Another bipartisan pair of advisors — presumably domestic — named by Obama: Senators Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts and Tom Coburn of Oklahoma.
Nunn, of course, has been mentioned as a vice presidential candidate for Obama — though not as much lately, despite the ruckus between Russia and Georgia.
McCain was more succinct. His wife rated no mention, and Republican’s approach was oriented toward politically correct demographics rather than politically correct bipartisanship.
The first advisor named by McCain was Gen. David Petraeus, “who took us from defeat to victory in Iraq.”
Then Georgia congressman John Lewis, a black Democrat.
“John Lewis was at the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Had his skull fractured. Continues to serve. Continues to have the most optimistic outlook about America. He can teach us all a lot about the meanings of courage and commitment to causes greater than ourselves,” McCain said.
Also, Meg Whitman, the CEO of the eBay empire, a white and female business leader.
McCain has paid homage to Lewis before, by the way. The Republican is quoted in the congressman’s official biography on his web site.
Photo credits: Ben Gray/AJC, Rick McKay/Cox Washington bureau
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Comments
By Rarl Kove
August 17, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
John McCain took the night last night. No doubt about it. Obama and his platitudes need to stew in the Senate a bit longer. Barack Obama is clearly not ready.
By Independent
August 17, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
Disappointed about the style of form: Although I found the questions asks were fair and well selected, I believe the style was questionable. I believe one should have ask one question at the time to each candidate such that each one has to answer one time a question at first.
Therefore: Nothing will change; who was for one of the candidate will see his candidate as the better one.
By r. e brossman
August 17, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this
While senator Obama put on exactly the show I would have expected to see him put on, including the thoughtful pensiveness. he came through as a consumate politician - which would have been A-OK at another time, and in another place.
However, I thought senator McCain surprised everyone with his dynamism and positivity. There was no hesitation, no games. Nothing but the man who proved, without any doubt, that he would be the man I want on the job as president during the next four years.
By mits Kataoka
August 17, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this
Why are you giving Karl Rove, an extremist partisan who has violated Congressional subpoenas to appear for hearings on violation of the Constitution and has not served the best interests of the people of the United States through unlawful intervention in elections and international affairs a forum to mislead the American people? Is there any ethical, law-abiding Republican party member that you can call upon to serve your Atlanta Journal-Constitution news objectives? UCLA Assoc. Professor emeritus Mits Kataoka
By Linda L.
August 17, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
Although both men solidified their appeal to their bases - McCain to the right and Obama to the left - the night belonged solidly to Obama who had to prove he’s a Christian - he did this with aplomb on the eve of the arrival at the top of the Best Seller List of the inaccurrate and hate filled tome that states otherwise - and had to prove to Independents that he will not traple on the separation of church and state, which has been so tarnished by this Administration. I have been both a Democrat and a Republican and, today, I proudly represent women ensconced in the middle who abhor abortion but hate the war in Iraq and the havoc we have wreaked on thousands of our brave soldiers and millions of innocent Iraqis every bit as much. For McCain to refer to this war as a “victory”, as he did last night, is an abomination.
Finally, thank you Pastor Warren for your able and unbiased questioning, which allowed me to bask in the reality of both men’s points of view and helped me decide who I want as my President.
Go Obama!
Linda L.
By Tired of Lies
August 17, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
The facts: McCain got into the Naval Academy based on his family connections - not his achievements; he graduated 894 out of 899; during his time in the Navy he was involved in the destruction of five aircraft, including one in which he ran out of gas; he continues to ignore the Sunni awakening as the main reason for the decrease in Iraqi violence and not the “surge”; he continues to slam Obama for not being as ignorant as he is on the Sunni awakening/surge issue; he continues to mislead Americans into believing so-called liberal judges are those “legislating from the bench” when in fact, it is the conservatives who are guilty (see http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/06/opinion/06gewirtz.html). Americans have endured over seven years of lies from their president. I’ll not vote for someone who either doesn’t know the facts or ignores the facts and continues the previous seven years of lies. We all deserve better than McCain.
By Falcon
August 17, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this
Obama’s answers were fresh and original. He came off much more genuine than McCain, who answered with stump speech talking points.
By Johnny
August 17, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
I am an evangelical voter who before last night was undecided. I have to say, I was very disappointed with the way John McCain handled himself last night by using fear to try and drum up support. It was a pretty dirty tactic. In fact, I thought that it was pretty slimy and nasty what you did last night, McCain. I must say though, Obama was really on fire. John McCain clearly didn’t stand a chance. These were John McCain’s votes to lose and he lost a lot of them last night but I think that even if he convinced no one else last night to vote for him, he sure as heck convinced me. I voted for Bush in both elections and have never voted for a democrat before in any election, but I guess there is a first time for everything. John McCain, I’m a republican, and I am telling you to stop using fear to scare a frightened and sincere nation! I’m sick and tired of people who do not understand that the basic nature of an insurgency is its revolutionary spirit, not a specific radical religion. The ‘cause’ that this particular insurgency is using to drum up support might be affiliated with religion but that has nothing whatsoever to do with its fundamental nature. Until such time that you understand this, McCain, you have lost my vote.
By COl. A.M.Khajawall [Ret]
August 17, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this
Dear American Citizens and the media
Challenge to Media.
As a disabled American Veteran and concerned American citizen.
“We the citizens of the United States of America have the ultimate responsibility to elect the ” Right Candidate with the right temperament” to lead our nation’
Our nation is and will be facing many present and future critical internal and external challenges as well as opportunities to address those challenges.
In order to prevent any probable prolong recession and diminished world standing as the sole superpower in the world’ Whether it is the moral, democratic, economic, military, and other issues.
I impress upon voters to vote after considering following ” qualities and characteristics” of our presumptive presidential nominees.
In my firm professional opinion that the media should help the common voter to explore and discuss following attributes of Hon. Senator McCain and Obama:
I plead to common voter to stay informed, stay involved, and stay engaged.
Do not allow some partisan media, pundits, pollsters, and perpetual political opinion makers effect your vote in the wrong direction.
Please do not be deceived and duped by “Psychological Terrorism” that is being directed at you without your consent and awareness.
Long live U.S.A and its diverse but democratic people.
Col. A.M. Khajawall [Ret] MD., Colonel, USAR / MC Combat Stress Control[Ret], Disabled American Veteran and Iraq Freedom team.
By Thomas Hauser
August 17, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
I couldn’t agree more with McCain’s “success” being based more on family connections (be they biological and/or through marriage! As much as I have been disappointed & saddened by John Edwars’ extra-marital affair, I wish the public would wise-up to how sordid McCain’s “romance” with Cindy was going on for almost one year while he was living with the first Mrs. McCain! Yes, John McCain is a war hero, but that alone does NOT qualify him to be President! He has “flip-flopped” on more issues than there are cards in a deck of Texas hold’em! Furthermore, after stating at the outset that he was not going to be engaged in “negative campaigning” that is exactly what he doing when he states at the end of his ads, “I’m John McCain and I approve of this message.”
By jefflz
August 17, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this
McCain has brought in Ralph Reed the corrupt bigot and founder of the extreme right wing Christian Coalition. What is in this game for Obama? Does he believe he can outflank McCain on the religious right? That is a complete waste of time and money and an insult to his more progressive supporters. Religion has no place in politics in a country founded upon separation of church and state. Beliefs should remain personal and private they are not a badge of morality. We live in a world where continuous death and destruction is reigned down on the innocent by religious fanatics who believe they have God on their side. Enough already.
By RD
August 17, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this
Sam Nunn would be a great VP choice for Obama. He needs a running mate with a strong national security background.
By Bitter EX democrackkk
August 17, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
Nunn is now unknown and would be liability to the Obakarama campaign, but ok wit me…
hold on, Hitlery on the line you say?
roll call? say what?
By U.S. Citizen
August 17, 2008 6:12 PM | Link to this
jefflz,
You must be a product of public schools for when you state “religion has no place in politics in a country founded upon separation of church and state”, you show your ignorance of:
Simply put, you disqualified yourself with your own comments.
Religious persecution is alive in this country and believers won’t be intimidated by your kind. Ever.
By Crystal
August 17, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this
McCain made Barack look like the snivilling, equivoctaing, speechifying rookie that he is. It was refreshing to finally see the candidates togther, no wonder Obama has resisted meeting McCain in town hall meetings this summer. The deabates ought to be very interesting this time around. Obama is in trouble and his supporters both in and out of the media know it.
Who is Sam Nunn?
By Mary St, James
August 17, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this
Obama came off as a lightweight. Does the man have any core values? What else is above his pay grade? I thought he was the “one.” Maybe my Democratic Party should call for Change, apart from Obama. We can still change ours minds and throw out Obama and nominate an adult at the convention. I hear that Hillary is free.
By Ron
August 17, 2008 11:55 PM | Link to this
So now we find out that all is not what you hear from John McCain. He was not in a CONE OF SILENCE during Obama’s interview….. He heard the questions being asked to Obama ahead of time. I would say that that is advantage McCain… To be fooled like that especially from an old fool is embarassing for the Obama camp. Now we are supposed to believe his campaign when they say that he did not hear the questions ahead of time. No wonder he was answering the questions before they were even asked. Was it coincidence when he asked Warren ” When are you going to ask me about the Supreme Court Judges? Since this was a religious event , I find this kind of cheating on McCain’s part as blasphemous.
By Mike
August 18, 2008 6:03 AM | Link to this
To Ron: the suggestion that McCain had opportunity to hear the questions came from the junior Senator’s spin team. Woops all the dems fell into the lie. Obama himself said “I cheated” by reviewing content prior. This lie, as stated by them, came from BO’s campaign team because McCain did much better than he. McCain’s work was clearly above his pay grade.
Barrak was charming, smart, political, and elusive. Typical. McCain was human, honest, direct, and presidential. Dems, you guys are going to have to work and, as usual, lie your asses off to get your charming lightweight elected. Bring it on… I’m writing a check to McCain in the morning!
By stevefromellicottcity
August 18, 2008 6:04 AM | Link to this
I am a registered Democrat. I voted for Gore in 2000 and Kerry in 2004, because I thought Bush was a bag of wind. Nevertheless, I am voting for McCain, because I think Obama is dishonest, inexperienced, and indecisive. As for the forum, I was expecting the worst, but was very pleased with McCain’s performance. In particular, I thought the candidates’ responses to two questions were most telling. First was describe a gut-wrenching decision you made in your life. McCain’s decision was to reject preferential treatment and stay in a Vietnamese prison camp. Wow, that’s powerful stuff, and true. Obama’s “decision” was not to support US entry into Iraq in 2003 while he was an Illinois legislator representing liberal district. I guess he puked up his pablum. Second question had to do with a position taken which was politically damaging. I smiled when McCain was asked this question, because I could think of many such positions: immigration with Kennedy (which I oppose), campaign finance with Feingold (which I support), the surge (I opposed entry into Iraq, initially opposed surge, but now support it), offshore drilling (McCain’s answer). Obama predictably danced around the issue like he did on the Ellen Show. What else could he do, he votes Democtratic line 97.00% of time. Rezko home deal? Wright God damn America? Ayers fire bomber? Michelle’s never been proud of America? Where does it end? Only one choice this time.
By Rev. Debra Haffner
August 18, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this
Finally, we are moving towards a world of sexual justice. Think about John McCain’s muffled comment at Saddleback on marriage about supporting civil protections, Now, he didn’t quite say civil unions but it was close. Or about the recent votes in Massachusetts or the Supreme Court decision in California. There is no question that we are getting closer to marriage equality in this country than we could have dreamed even a decade ago. There are of course tons of rights still to secure, but there is no question that we are moving towards justice.
Rev. Debra Haffner http://debrahaffner.blogspot.com
By Brendan
August 18, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this
I felt that it was Obama’s night.
He is really a wonderful speaker. Even those people who do not agree with what he has to say, I think, cannot deny his honesty and fairness. He did not pander to his evangelical audience, and he was, as always, a joy to watch.
McCain, on the other hand, pandered heavily to his audience. He said many things that he is going to have to back-peddle on, or else risk terrifying moderates and independents. Particularly his “anti-abortion” presidency and his “follow Osama to the gates of hell.”
Overall, the choice is clear: Obama asks us to be humble, introspective and honest. He speaks up to the best in us. McCain wants us to be terrified, enraged and blind to the real problems that face our nation. He speaks down to the worst of us.
Do we follow the rational young man into the future? Or do we follow the confused old man to hell, following an Islamo-fascist?
It’s quite a choice.
By hurts so bad
August 18, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this
i’m sick of the ‘pubs and think a change in parties would be good for the country, however I like McCain always have. To bad Bush and the christian right tore him a new one yrs. ago, good man with bad timing, Barry wins I pray he does a good job and the haters don’t tear him and the country apart nothing unites the hate on the right like a brilliant black man born without a silver spoon in his mouth
By Jack
August 19, 2008 12:11 AM | Link to this
1.) Lewis is an Obama supporter. If McCain really thought Lewis was wise, why is he still running when one of the wisest people he knows doesn’t think he’ll be a good president?
2.) Lewis released a statement saying that he and McCain have no sort of relationship with one another despite serving in Congress for over 20 years. Also, Lewis made a point of the fact that McCain has never bothered to ask him for advice. Hmmm… maybe if he had, McCain never would have become rapped in the Keating Five controversy and wouldn’t have been formally reprimanded for excercising “poor judgment.”
P.S.
Anyone think it’s weird that McCain is saying that he has the judgment to be president? This is coming from a guy who voted for the Iraq war and a guy who has been rebuked by the Senate Ethics Committee for “excercising poor judgment.”
Why isn’t anyone covering this!?