Joshua Holmes (Bio) live blogging of the Saddleback Civil Forum featuring Presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain live from Lake Forest, California. (Refresh for live updates)

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The real winner tonight was Rick Warren. Sure he has sold 30 million copies of The Purpose Drive Life and many Americans know him, but tonight he was put on the biggest stage, asking the next President of the United States some very tough questions. People come into an event like tonight knowing for the most part who they are going to vote for. So what the candidates say very rarely sway the viewer/listener one way or another.

It was all upside for Rick tonight. Sure there were protesters outside tonight’s forum. Protesters were lined up on both sides of every candidate and Warren himself. Rick will get a huge push in sales of his books in print for the next couple of weeks. He came across as being extremely fair to both McCain and Obama. Warren came across as being caring, compassionate, funny and also had several of his causes mentioned by both candidates during their answers tonight.

For my live blog of tonight’s Presidential Forum click below to keep reading.

6:52pm - I don’t think there was really a winner or loser tonight. Both candidates did a really good job. The format and questioning by Pastor Warren made it very easy to follow the candidates answers. Warren did a good job keeping on track and keeping McCain and Obama on the question at hand. Off to track down those in attendance for interviews and video. Check back for more photos, video and coverage later tonight and Monday morning. Thanks for tuning into this erratic live blog. Leave your comments and analysis below!

6:51pm - Pastor Warren gives a mini-sermon on why we live in the greatest country and how important the freedom of speech is, even to those protesting this event (hundreds if not thousands of protesters are outside).

6:50pm - Why do you want to be President? He brings up honor, country, pride and putting his country pride. McCain believes that most Americans believe in putting politics aside and putting the country first. Closes in saying, “I will always put my country first.”

Rick follows by asking what JM what he would say to those saying that Warren shouldn’t be asking JM and BO these questions. John says he is honored to be here. He truly flourishes in the town hall setting and they come to the front of the desk to shake hands and smile for a few photos.

6:49pm - McCain believes we have to make it a lot easier to adopt in the U.S. because that is why most Americans go overseas to adopt children. This is very true and well talked about in our household. Living with a social worker has its privileges. JM also talks about the daughter that he and his wife Cathy adopted (that Cathy brought home from overseas and surprised him with).

6:47pm - What would JM do to end religious persecution in Iraq, China, and other countries: McCain references the bully pulpit of being President and once again references former President Reagan. JM seems sincere in his Christian beliefs and the obligation of the U.S. to end religious persecution in other countries. Mac makes sure to reference how he had to go without his religious freedoms as a POW.

6:40pm - What is worth sending American soldiers to die for? One word from McCain, “Freedom!” McCain admits there are certain conflicts we will never be able to settle. Warren follows up on about sending troops to Darfur or Georgia. He believes it is very complicated in Darfur but that with the right logistics and such it could be done. McCain wants to talk badly about the situation in Georgia. JM is well versed on the situation and history of Georgia. McCain is very smooth with the line of questioning. He has only misspoke or stumbled over his words a handful of times so far.

6:39pm - And we are back!

6:36pm - Time for another commercial break. Have an opinion on tonight’s forum? Be sure to leave it in the comments to this post and I will be sure to approve those of you later on who haven’t left a comment before.

6:34pm - When does right to privacy and right to security collide? (a question Warren didn’t get to with Obama) JM believes Congress has to work together, the judiciary has to review what Congress passes regarding technology and security.

6:30pm - Define rich with a number? He says rich should be defined by a good home, good job and a good education. JM doesn’t want a redistribution of the wealth or a class warfare. John is skirting to define rich with a number but wants everyone to be rich. His best skirting job of the night but then again JM doesn’t want to tax the rich, middle class or poor. McCain states clearly that he doesn’t want to raise anyone’s taxes. McCain is making most of the audience laugh yet still connection on his beliefs on very tough issues.

6:29pm - Merit pay for teachers? John cuts him off and says “YES, YES, YES and find bad teachers another line of work.” JM strongly believes in the competition of choice. Big believer in parents having a choice whether it be charter school, home school, etc. “Everybody must have the same opportunity and choice.”

6:28pm - Faith based programs? Speaks on his visit to New Orleans and how the faith based organizations were doing a much better job than the government. Much applause from the Christian crowd.

6:26pm - Supreme Court justices he wouldn’t have on the bench? Justice Ginsberg, Justice Breyer, Justice Souter, and Justice Stevens.

6:22pm - Does evil exist? John McCain answers that we should ‘defeat it’. He goes on with two points 1. He will follow Osama bin Laden to the gates of hell and capture him, 2. Islamic facists. JM very excited and adamant on the need to succeed and how we are in Iraq. For sure McCain at his best.

6:20pm - Stem cell research? He supports stem cell research and believes even more so in skin cell research.

6:18pm - Rick asks JM when life begins. JM says he will be a pro-life President and he will have Pro-life policies. He strongly states that life begins at conception. This is the same question that Barack Obama dodges. McCain emphatically leaves no doubt about it. McCain goes on to say that he believes marriage is between one man and one woman. He believes in a constitution amendment against gay marriage only if the federal government/court rules that gay marriage is leaal.

6:16pm - McCain believe he is saved and forgiven. McCain goes into a story about being a POW in Vietnam. Tells the story about how a guard there drew a cross in the dirt while he was being brought out for light and that he will never ever forget that moment.

6:12pm - Another commercial break and more oil for McCain. He has been very impressive for having grown up with cavemen. If you are leaving comments I will have to approve them later on when I get time.

6:11pm - Most difficult decision JM ever had to make? When he refused to leave being a POW to stay and support his fellow soldiers. He says it was the most difficult thing he ever did and that he took a ton of prayer. Wow McCain is really connecting with the audience through his sincerity and life experiences.

6:09pm - The thing he believes differently now than 10 years ago? He says that would be offshore drilling. JM goes on to rightfully say this is a national security issue. I agree with him 100% here. We sit on millions of gallons of oil and instead of getting that oil out of the ground we send billions of dollars to the Middle East. McCain goes on a tangent to say that we must have nuclear power.

6:06pm - Biggest thing JM has done against his party? JM says climate change, torture, but says the most trying instance was, as a young member in Congress, he went against the sending of Marines to Beirut in the early 80’s.

6:04pm - Greatest moral failure? A very teary eyed and choked up McCain says the failure of his first marriage is his wost moral failure. He believes everyone should serve a cause greater than his/her self interest. Gives a nice plug to Rick’s book in the process.

6:01pm - Three wisest men McCain knows: 1. General David Petraeus 2. John Lewis, 3. Meg Whitman (CEO of eBay). Greatest American success story to him is eBay. Whitman took a company of 5 people and turned it into a way for millions of Americans to make a living.

6:00pm - Nearly 600 press credentials were issued for tonight’s event. We are surrounded by more media than I ever knew existed. My trusty partner Kristie is keeping me company and doing a great job live blogging on PoliticalKudzu.com.

5:58pm - Senator John McCain comes onstage to meet Rick and Senator Barack Obama. All three men meet for a group photo with Barack telling John to “go get ‘em”.

McCain is as squeaky in person as he appears on TV. He reminds me a bit of the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz that needs to be oiled from time to time.

5:56pm - Rick asks BO what he has to say about those against Pastor Warren for asking all of these questions. Barack says we need more things and more forums like this to get the candidates views across. He believes we have to make sacrifices for the next generation. The audience stands to applaud Senator Obama as he greets Rick at the center of the stage.

5:54pm - Why does Barack want to be President? He believes the ‘American Dream’ is slipping away. He believes the economy is slipping away, politics and Washington so broken, and that he has the ability to bring people together to work on common sense issues to fix these things.

5:52pm - 27 million people living in slavery, most sex trafficking in the world. Barack believes this has to be a top priority. This problem truly is out of hand and needs the USA and several countries to come together to help stomp this out. BO believes in giving prosecutors the tools to go after these people.

5:50pm - Barack believes that we have to be very careful in dealing with religious persecution around the world. As Barack states you have to be careful because of the difficult ties with China and other countries that persecute those for their beliefs.

5:48pm - If you are ever out here in Cali you should check out the campus here at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest. It is like a mini-Disneyland. Rick asks about the 150 million plus orphans in the world? Barack gives Bush a pat on the back for the amazing work he has done for AIDS in Africa and throughout the world.

5:45pm - And we are back…. What’s worth dying for? Barack says that American freedom, national interest are worth sacrificing Americans for. So what would it take for BO so send troops? Basic principle has to be if USA has power to stop mass genocide, killings then we must act. He says he would go into war without U.N. approval.

5:40pm - Rick then asks Barack straight up to define rich. Barack responds that you are rich if you have 25 million books sold….to a huge laughter from Rick and the audience. Barack finally answers: $150,00 and below that you are middle class or poor. Over $250,000 then you are doing very well and in the top 3-4% in this country. Again depends on the region. He believes if you want good schools, roads, etc. then you have to pay taxes for those things. He claims a tax cut for those making $150,000 or less and a tax raise for those making over $250,000. I agree with him in that the process has to be made a lot more simple. This concludes this segment and off to commercial break.

Barack has struggled a couple of times but has really done a great job answering most of the questions in full.

5:38pm - Barack states that teachers should have performance pay. I agree….good teachers should get paid more than lousy teachers. I have a great resume of both…email for the list ;). Barack believes in excellence being rewarded. I believe this is essential if the public school system will continue to exist.

5:36pm - Barack agrees for the most part with faith based organizations and references his speech earlier this summer that riled Jesse Jackson up where he called for the removal of Barack’s nuts. BO believes you have to be careful and that people aren’t discriminated against using faith based programs.

5:32pm - What Supreme Court justice would you not have nominated? Barack goes straight for Clarence Thomas’ throat and says he totally disagrees with Clarence on the court. He brings up Antonio Scalia as his #2 least favorite. He then moves on to John Roberts on a que from Rick. He believes Roberts gives too much power to the Presidency.

5:27pm - Stem cells? He supports using discarded embryos to pursue stem cell research and cures. Does evil exist and what to do with it? Barack says evil does exist and we see it all the time…Darfur, streets of our cities, in abusive parents…and it has to be confronted squarely. Says its up to God to remove evil but we can be soldiers in that task. Barack is taking his time and doing a good job reaching all audiences whether they be war hawk or dove.

5:25pm - Rick asks BO to define marriage. Obama says between a man and a woman and as a Christian it is a sacred union. Rick follows up and asks about a constitutional amendment against gay marriage. Barack is against it and supports civil unions. BO did a decent job covering his bases on this answer.

5:21pm - Rick brings on the ultimate toughie question and asks Barack when a baby gets human rights in a world view. The first sign of weakness from Barack tonight. He is trying to skirt the hell out of this question. He believes there is a moral and ethical element to this issue. He says he is pro-choice and supports Roe v. Wade. He believes the woman will make the best decision. He believes there are too many abortions. He has so far avoided the question of when does a baby get human rights.

5:20pm - Rick starts second two by asking BO about Christianity. BO answers that he believes Jesus Christ died for his sins and that he doesn’t walk alone. He goes on to state that if he can get himself out of the way he can get across what Jesus wants and that his sins will continually be washed away. BO goes on to say that its not about just words either but also about deeds. His faith gives him confidence to do things like running for President.

5:15pm - Time for a break so the big boys, not us, can run commercials and get paid. So far Barack has done very well and for the most part answered most of Rick’s questions with only slight minor diversions.

5:14pm - Toughest decision? His opposition to going to war with Iraq. Barack is doing a great job hitting all his talking points. He is obviously very well rehearsed for tonight and so far is coming across very smart, down to earth (very important for him), and calm.

5:11pm - Rick asks about flip-flopping and says its not a bad thing when you get new knowledge. BO believes that 10 years ago when Bill Clinton signed the welfare reform act he had big concerns about it. But is greatly surprised at how well it has worked. Nice answer, nice kudos to a former Dem. president.

5:08pm - Next question to Barack is about his greatest personal weaknesses and of the U.S. BO goes into his drug and alcohol abuse in his younger years. Goes on to say his failure is when he forgets its not about just him. Greatest American failure: Barack quotes some scripture in Matthew (applause) to reference poverty, racism, opportunity to all. He thinks America doesn’t spend enough time thinking about those with less. RW goes on to ask about a bill he went against party loyalty to support. BO brings up campaign finance reform and gets in a nice plug for McDonalds.

5:03pm - Rick welcomes Senator Barack Obama onto the stage. BO arrives without a tie as well. They briefly hug and take their seats behind the interview desk. Rick starts by asking BO about the three wisest men in his life. Is this an attempt to get Barack to mention Rev. Jeremiah Wright? 1. Michelle Obama, 2. His Grandmother (never went to college, worked on assembly line, worked her way up to be bank VP), 3. Still waiting on #3. He went on a tangent about who political he would have….including Ted Kennedy.

5:00pm - Right on cue Pastor Rick Warren pops on stage to a huge applause. I mean it is his home court. And Rick actually dressed up tonight. That means a jacket but still no tie.

4:56pm - Ron Paul is at it again. The campus of Saddleback and all of the media rooms are experiencing audio problems that are blocking everyone from hearing what is being said outside of the auditorium.

4:53pm PST - We are live in the trenches with the rest of the masses of media and ready to rock n’ roll this truly live blog.

Check out Kristie’s Live Blog on PoliticalKudzu.com

Behind the Scenes Photos