I didn't watch the "Faith Forum", I wasn't the intended audience.

[tekisui]

From scanning through the threads on it here, I am glad I didn't watch.

This was for the Christian(mostly Right) crowd. Most of those in the audience and watching at home likely went into it as mcKane supporters or anti-Obama. So, I think Obama had nothing to lose in this event, and SOME to gain. It seems he did well, answered the questions and held his own.

I don't think he lost any of his supporters, and probably appealed to and comforted some who were on the fence.

Of course it was rigged for mcKane, and of course the Fascist Media are spinning it against Obama. No surprises.

But, in the end, it's not a game changer, and if anything helped Obama. I am just relieved it's over and we won't have to go through the disgusting pandering to one religious focus group again.

[KittyWampus]

1. No, it wasn't for the "Christian" crowd. Questions of ethics and morality are relevant to all

[tekisui]

3. Morality and ethics have nothing to do with one's religion.

And, ones ethics and morality can not be judged based on answers given in a forum. It is judged by their actions.

[stray cat]

6. The questions were focused on philosophy and not on religion - but I watched it so I know the format

[tekisui]

7. Fair enough.

Do you have an idea for how many viewers it had, and what the probable demographics were?

[stray cat]

11. My guess is: conservatives skeptical of McCain, Moderates considering Obama but not yet sold

I think Obama looked really good to the moderates who wanted a better feel for Obama as a person.
I think the conservatives were reassured by the red meat delivered by McCain.
I think many moderates were unhappy with McCains flippant shallow political answers - including the moderator himself actually who looked comfortable with Obama if not agreeing completely with his stance.

[retread]

17. If that was philosophy then Pat Robertson is one of the leading philosophers of

the modern age. I also watched it but found myself missing chunks because of extended grimaces of disgust

[KittyWampus]

8. Religion is philosophy with bits of dogma and ritual attached. However, it's useless

arguing with someone who is close-minded and prejudiced.

BTW, you shifted the argument. A sign of how weak your OP really is.

We can't "judge" anyone on anything in any kind of forum and always need to consider and weigh their actions.

So we might as well never have any town halls or debates.

[tekisui]

14. Not closed minded. I have an aversion to this discussion with political leaders.

Like I said, this forum wasn't for me. Debates on policies have place. Debates ethics are a show. Like a job interview, you know what you need t say to get the job.

[stray cat]

2. It was actually more issues based and a better platform than the CNN and other debates

alot like an hour interview with Larry King - except for the audience which made McCain look better than he was (I think it was $1000 dollars per person to attend in which case it was wealthy staunch GOP evangelicals.

One of the more valuable interviews of the candidates in terms of really getting a feel for them personally in terms of how they think. McCain doesn't think - Obama does.

[tekisui]

5. In your opinion, did Obama likely win some over?

[stray cat]

9. Absolutely. McCain appeared shallow and political - Obama really appeared personable and thoughtful

The audience was very biased - but they had to pay 1000/person to get in. I think moderate evangelicals - like myself who know things are not strictly black and white, will generally be impressed and those are the only ones he is likely to win over ever. Hard core GOPers won't be swayed.

[rucky]

4. I agree. n/t

[mucifer]

10. I watched the Obama half and turned it off when mcstupid came on.

As a Jew I'm offended Obama has to jump through those hoops and talk about Christianity in a forum that makes people like me uncomfortable. I understand why he did it and I think it helped him a little. But, it disgusts me that this is the way the game is played. It also infuriates me that it was more issues based than any other debate I have seen so far. The msm sucks and we are stuck with this.

[stray cat]

13. It does say something about the debates as this had more depth - really sad...

[americanstranger]

12. I didn't watch either, but I think you're probably right.

From what I'm reading on the blogs this morning, the consensus seems to be that this was McCain's crowd and Obama engaged them well, that McCain stuck to his stump speech while O opened up more about himself personally, and that Warren was as even-handed as he could have been.

That the media is trying to spin it as a big McCain win should have been expected. That's how they all earn those big paychecks, after all.

This one was a write-off for Obama - he had nothing to lose by doing it unless he committed a huge gaffe. He didn't, as far as I can tell.

It says a lot that McCain is still trying to shore up his fundie base in mid-August. That group should have been in his pocket all along, and nobody should be surprised that they will eventually gravitate to his corner. But the fact that he has to work so hard to pick up a group that was a gimme for Bush highlights that he's a nominee that Republicans in general are having a hard time getting excited about. That's good for us at the end of the day.

- as

[Supersedeas]

15. conceding Rove's strategy of dividing America and legitimizing it

[Motown_Johnny]

16. It is worth watching no matter your religious beliefs