Tonight I'll be in the audience at Saddleback church. It's a privilege to witness a first of it's kind event like this, but I admit to immense apprehension. Why didn't Billy Graham ever do this? He was the most relevant pastor to former presidents and presidential candidates but he didn't engage in the debate.  The late Jerry Falwell might have hosted something like this I suppose, but the questions wouldn't have been what Rick Warren is reported to be asking, which is questions about global warming and social justice.

One would think that a "mainstream" Christian church (which Saddleback is undoubtedly perceived to be. I don't know that I think it is) would be the stomping ground of the Republican candidate. But If the reports are accurate and the host intends to avoid questions about traditional values and abortion, I think Barack Obama may walk away the winner! This is all too bizarre.

So. Why would McCain say yes to an event at an "evangelical"church at which the sponsor clearly favors Barack Obama and doesn't seem to truly represent mainstream evangelicals? Why would the "evangelical" pastor avoid the only questions which will show Obama's weaknesses and highlight the issues that show his strengths? Is there going to be a bar because I don't know if I will make it through the first hour of this event.

My suspicion is that this event is more about Rick Warren than about the candidates, which is why Billy Graham never did it. Graham was about Christ, not himself. As for the questions? Well, why NOT ask about poverty and AIDS? Which of the candidates will be in FAVOR of poverty or AIDS? But Falwell would have asked about marriage and abortion because it would have shown the differences in the candidates. What we are going to see tonight is an Oprah moment, in which Obama will shine, McCain will say "my friends", and I will seriously be looking for that communal wine.

More later....