I think McCain played to the audience as a politician does. Obama spoke from the heart and was sincere. My first choice is still Ron Paul!

Sent by Jeremie | 5:44 PM ET | 08-18-2008

Obama did an excellent job of expressing his feeling. McCain is an old man telling stories.

Sent by Kennywest | 9:22 AM ET | 08-19-2008

When was the coin tossed? One was in his car, the other in the studio. I know obama was speaking from the heart. McCain was rehersed.

Sent by Lynn Gage-Gagne | 12:58 PM ET | 08-19-2008

Considering the fact that the US prides itself on its Constitution, The Bill of Rights and the First Amendment, I have to wonder just what in the heck - of all people - Rick Warren has to do with anything going on in the political forum, let alone being a host and moderator...
Is it just me, or does it seem a strange thing to have so many people forgetting (or ignoring) the idea of separation of church and state? With someone like Rick Warren at the helm, it seems as though the message is pretty well "You BETTER believe, and it BETTER be on THESE terms". Hardly "freedom" of or from religion, and certainly not the keeping of church and state separate.

Sent by Inga Schneider | 2:04 PM ET | 08-19-2008

Obama is real whereas McCain is not.

Sent by Kendrix, Albuquerque, NM | 10:06 PM ET | 08-19-2008

As a conservative main-stream Christian, I am offended by the mega-church, and gnostic, pseudo-Calvinist "evangelical fundamentalists" with whom my faith is publicly associated. The power given to such a man as Rick Warren to convene any faith-based discussion is wrong.

He cannot speak for Christianity, in general, and has an obvious motive in pandering to elements on the right that say "Consitution" but view goverment as an evil "they" beyond " we, the people". Those elements believe that such a government should not feed, house, or clothe the poor - should not bear the fruits of Christian faith.

Instead, they want "faithful" Christians to assume government office to protect the rights of the selfish and overfed to be poor stewards as long as they voice a position against abortion.

Basically, it is OK to beat down a segment of the population and expect that segment to have a higher regard for life than those that are most exalted.

I could go on about how they speak of faith as a personal accomplishment and not an acceptance of God's great work but it is enough to say that such an unloving and devious faith does not come from the Bible, the Creed, our Chuch fathers.

Sent by Harold Lewis | 3:19 PM ET | 08-20-2008

Who "won"?

Obama already has the lead by many estimations and the presidency by some. So what did he accomplish? He walked in to a potential lion's den for him only to show that he can appease those with whom he'll simply have to agree to disagree. His responses were indeed as nuanced as described. However, a nuance bordering on superfluity that made me wonder about his indirect answers.

McCain had much more to accomplish if he could indeed pull it off. He showed supporters of both camps that he wasn't the doddering old ageism-laced caricature with which he is often portrayed. In fact, he convinced values voters of his like-minded intentions and proved his mettle. He clearly changed perceptions of his potential as a debate contender.

Separation of church and state? Even those in the media aren't that myopic. In politics, values voters are a coveted voting bloc that is often spoken of with a tinge of resentment. Many ask, "Why should our secular pols go to that or any church hat in hand explaining themselves?"

The true winner of the forum? All voters. I appreciate the questions asked and the format. We will never hear some of these questions that we really would like to hear coming from the mouth of Gwen Ifill or Bob Schieffer. And yet McCain's and Obama's responses gave everyone a more complete picture of who they are and what they think on challenging questions.

Sent by Robert Stanley | 12:34 PM ET | 08-25-2008