News

Aug 19, 2008

On Saturday evening, Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) and Senator Barack Obama (D-Illinois) took part in the Saddleback Civil Forum on the presidency with Pastor Rick Warren. The well-known Christian author and pastor asked both candidates about their views on a number of issues including abortion, faith-based initiatives, and the definition of marriage.

During a teleconference sponsored by NewsGuests.com, leaders in the evangelical movement reacted to the forum.

Janet Folger of Faith 2 Action argues that McCain was the clear winner, and that there was a clear difference between both candidates on the issue of marriage. "What John McCain said is his position -- he said that the Supreme Court of California was wrong," said Folger. "What Barack Obama left out [of his response] is that he actually publicly praised the Supreme Court of California. He said he 'supported the California decision.' That's something that redefined marriage," she points out.

Earlier this year, California's Supreme Court issued a ruling allowing same-sex unions. However, voters in that state will decide in November on a constitutional amendment (Proposition 8) that would define marriage as only between one man and woman.