IN WASHINGTON
The two contenders for the White House shared the stage for the first time since the primaries ended in June. And Senator John McCain convincingly pressed his home turf advantage.
At the forum convened by America's mega-pastor Rick Warren in the Saddleback Church south of Los Angeles on Saturday, the focus was on personal beliefs, on issues like marriage and abortion. Mr McCain was applauded more often, and the claps rang out louder.
McCain and Obama stand with moderator Pastor Rick Warren at the Civil Forum on the Presidency at
Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California.
Source: REUTERS
In a sense, it was to be expected, because the audience, the evangelical Christians, traditionally vote Republican.
Of course, Senator Barack Obama also has his supporters among the evangelicals, especially among the young who look at matters like poverty and environmental issues through the lens of faith, and like what they hear from the Democratic candidate.
In a close election that this promises to be, Mr Obama could not be asking for more.
Their answers to some questions were revealing.
On the three wise men they trusted the most, Mr McCain named General David Petreaus, the commander of US troops in Iraq; veteran civil rights leader John Lewis, a Democrat from Georgia; and former eBay CEO Meg Whitman, a top adviser to his campaign.
Mr Obama named his wife Michelle; his white grandma; Republican Senator Richard Lugar and former Democratic senator Sam Nunn who is an anti-nuclear weapons advocate.
It showed Mr McCain's faith in the military (he chose Petraeus) and Mr Obama's in diplomacy (he chose senators associated with Congressional foreign policy panels).
Throughout the hour-long conversation that Pastor Rick had with the two men, one at a time, Mr McCain kept his answers short and direct. He recounted at least three anecdotes from his personal life which lent depth and credibility to his replies. And the audience visibly warmed to him.
Mr Obama, celebrated for his public speaking skills, was surprisingly less effective. Some of it had to do with questions that placed him at odds with the audience, for example on abortion (he was pro-choice in a crowd of pro-lifers) and stem cell research (he has no objections to embryonic research while Pastor Rick and the evangelicals do).
Mr Obama's manner was thoughtful and professorial - not a bad thing. Whereas Mr McCain, whose answers came tumbling out of his mouth, appeared forceful and decisive.
Mr McCain scored points on patriotism, harking back to his days as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. He turned a question on flip-flopping to his advantage - naming offshore drilling as an issue he had changed his mind on. And was rewarded with applause.
Answering the same question, Mr Obama talked about how he'd changed his mind on welfare from opposing the Clinton plan to embracing it. The audience remained attentive but silent. A lost opportunity perhaps, since Mr Obama has also flip-flopped on drilling.
The influential pastor did not announce a winner at end. But his opinion will matter, even if he chooses not to endorse a candidate officially. In the last election, he did not endorse President George W. Bush's candidacy, but he did let his congregation know that he agreed with Mr Bush's positions.
It looks like Mr McCain may also get his blessing.