Barack Obama had already had a couple of bad weeks before facing Rick Warren's questions at the Saddleback Church forum. But his remarkably poor performance there (even Warren's softball questions were too much for him) coupled with John McCain's clear superiority (answers that were quick, candid, wise, funny and reflective of so much more experience and strength of purpose) may turn out to be the election's most significant turning point.Therefore, even though the MSM wants to now concentrate on the conventions and the VP announcements, don't overlook the significance of Saddleback, particularly in its impact on energizing those religious-oriented voters who had been cool to McCain's candidacy.
Along then with this not-to-be-missed post from yesterday (McCain Rides High in the Saddle at Saddleback), check out these excellent Saddleback reviews as well:
* "McCain’s Finest Hour" by Philip Klein over at The American Spectator --
Before this Saturday, many analysts were predicting that the fall's presidential debates would be a wipeout, with Barack Obama conjuring the spirit of the young John F. Kennedy and John McCain imitating the aging Bob Dole.
In a recent article in the Atlantic, James Fallows declared that McCain "will look and sound old and weak next to Obama."
But if this weekend's forum hosted by Pastor Rick Warren at his Saddleback Church is any indication of how the two candidates will perform in the presidential debates, it's time to recalibrate the existing expectations. The debates may still be a wipeout -- only Obama now seems likelier to bite the dust...
But within a few minutes of McCain taking the stage, it became clear that it was his night. While McCain is typically uncomfortable talking about his faith, he played to his strengths by discussing his powerful life story, showing his stature and experience, and flashing his sense of humor. He connected to the audience emotionally while Obama was academic and -- dare I say it -- boring by comparison.
* "No Contest," an editorial from Investor's Business Daily --
Last weekend's McCain-Obama protodebate made it clear why Obama won't keep his promise to debate McCain "anywhere, anytime." McCain, with a robust resume and details at his fingertips, won big.
It was only in May that Sen. Barack Obama cockily proclaimed he would debate Sen. John McCain "anywhere, anytime." But in June, Obama said no to McCain's challenge to have 10 one-on-one town hall meetings.
After what happened at Lake Forest, Calif.'s evangelical Saddleback megachurch Saturday evening, we may have found that debating is Obama's Achilles' heel...
To any honest observer, the differences between John McCain and Barack Obama have been evident all along. What we saw last weekend was Obama's shallowness juxtaposed with McCain's depth, the product of his extraordinary life experience.
It may not have been a debate, but it was one of the most lopsided political contests in memory. No wonder Obama wants to keep debate formats boring and predictable.
* “Best of John McCain,” a video clip with just a few of McCain's highlights from the Saddleback Forum. (Hat tip: Bob McCarty)
