Saddleback Civic Forum "Barack Obama" Part 1

[ambehaz]

He pretty much dances around every question and uses a bunch of empty, long sentances and tries to confuse you until you forgot what you asked in the first place..

[humbuggrown]

I think we need a president that doesnt think that the topic of abortion isnt above his pay grade. or doesnt give stupid ass answers instead of mccain who answered confidently

[qsmb]

Wow. Watch responses from both candidates on the same questions and it's easy to tell who has core values, wisdom, and who has lived an incredible life.

There is NO DOUBT in my mind.

[brooksta33]

How ironic that he mentions the bible and quotes scripture from Matthew(whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me),yet he believes in abortion. Who exactly do you think God was speaking of? Possibly people who had no voice of their own?

[scj16]

There is nothing in the bible that specifically relates to the question of abortion. unless you count the fact that God told Joshua to slaughter innocent men, women and children. or to that God tells us to sacrifice our children because he is soo arrogant and self centered that he needs love and affection from a human raced he has enslaved.

[brooksta33]

Hmmm, except that thou shall not kill??

[reverer]

Obama scurried his way around actually naming three people and instead gave for instances, and thus did not even give a full answer to the opening question.

So Obama's wife and grandmother are going to help him run the country?

[chandelise]

You're right, purplepiano. I looked it up. "The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) of 2002, also known as "McCain-Feingold," after its sponsors, is the most recent major federal law on campaign finance..." Barack Obama did not become a Senator until 2004. What's Obama doing taking credit for this? ...Especially now given the numerous big name, celebrity-filled events planned for the upcoming DNC convention? They all still have far to go on this issue. No demonizing here....just the facts.

[Gijoe125]

I actually get bored listening to him. Can't he talk without saying "um" so much? Or possibly say something a little more profound? Perhaps if he were to do so he would win my vote, but I just can't back anything he says because I have no clue what he's saying.

[jfkjrlover]

He certainly does take his time trying to come up with the perfect words, but it gets a little difficult trying to follow along and stay interested when it takes him so long to get to the point! Way too many ughs if you ask me.

[KenWritez]

"Jim, let's see that again in slow motion:

'In America we've gotta to learn to disagree without demonizing each other.'"

[SocietysOrphan]

Listen to the great Oz, but never peep behind the curtain. This segment's questions...wisest people - Michelle and his Grandma? I love my relatives but as far as politics...Oh' boy. With teleprompters he speaks more elquantly than JFK but without such aides, he stumbles as if drunk. The great Oz? I'd only vote for his speech writer.

[ZuesBalls1]

After mentioning his family, he explicitly says, "In terms of the administration..." and goes on to mention several US Senators. Not only that, he mentions the practice of referring to people on both sides of the isle who have a specialty on a topic. Referring to the experts, and receiving a balanced view on the topic sounds like the proper executive decision.

[mrxpress2]

Does listening to Obama confuse anybody else? He seems to ramble until he covers both sides of an issue or until the listener can't even remember what the question was. Obama is empty.

[wildwilly1111]

"In America we've got to learn to disagree without demonizing each other."

[thepurplepiano]

BO's greatest moral failure was being a normal teenager????

Campaign finance reform was enacted in 2002. BO arrived to the Senate in 2004.  hmmmm

[conblogger]

Yeah, I thought the same thing about the reform. Good point.

[FreeMarketUSA]

Obama is unable answer questions. I can't understand the attraction to this guy.

Q: What is your name?

A: Trees lose their leaves the fall and are sometimes tall. The contains salt although not as much as the Great Salt lake per comparable volumes.

[Chidi64]

Not at all. He answers questions after thinking carefully, and considering different angles and the opposing viewpoint. You don't recognize that becuase politicians these day tend to speak only in one-sentence soundbites and slogans prepared for them.

For example: the question about whether evil exists. Obama gave a thoughtful answer considering Christian theology. McCain instead started puffing his chest up about how bad he's going to kill Osama (like we haven't been trying for years.)

[creton4]

Church is people ... not a building, Rick!

[shroomingnewman]

the fisa issue applied perfectly to the third question and obama utterly failed. he went against his pledge from earlier this year to NOT give telecom immunity, but he caved to appeal to the 'center'. but hey, its only the 4th amendment. you're not special obama; suck a dick

[yellojeeper]

In so many words, he said nothing.

[mmarti21]

Thank you so much for posting these!

[RetrorocketsNewBern]

why did he have so much trouble answering the question, "What was THE SINGLE greatest moral failing in your life?" he had to ramble on for about three minutes, without pointing to a single "ohmygod" moral failing. McCain's answer? "the failure of my first marriage".

[kaliq13]

Maybe because it's a tough question. It's not about speed dude. lol. It's about making sure you answer the question truthfully and honestly. They both answered this question well. If you asked me that I honestly would have to think about that too. John Mccain must have really loved his first wife and apparently he messed up big time. lol. I wonder what his current wife said afterwards.... ;)

[esmnet]

Obama's responses were thoughtful, deliberate, intelligent, and complex. He said there is evil in Darfur, on our streets, and even in our homes (e.g., child abuse).

McCain's responses were crisp, clear, certain, and overly simplistic. He identified evil with our perceived enemies (bin Laden, Islamic militarists, Russia). To him, the only "wrong" appears to be a national security threat. He didn't even come close to identifying the evil that exists on our own doorstep.

[conblogger]

Is it evil to allow babies who are born despite an abortion attempt to die outside the mother's womb? Obama killed legislation in the Illinois Senate that gave babies human rights after they are born. Before Obama or his supporters look at human rights attrocities in Darfur, look at your candidate.

[mrxpress2]

Ditto Conblogger showing Obama how evil his positions have been on abortion.

[creton4]

That would be taking the Lord's name in vain, Retro. Think about it.

[mcfcblueinusa]

Because Obama has a holier than thou attitude. He feels that he can do no wrong. His ego is what will lose him this election. McCain was straight forward and to the point. Obama had no clue of what he was talkiing about half the time. He is an empty suit.

[phineastbuster]

Campaign reform was a Democratic issue that McCain supported across the isle. It wasn't an issue for Obama. The rest of what Obama said was good.