Last Saturday Pastor Rick Warren moderated a political happening at his 22,000-member Saddleback megachurch in Lake Forest, California. One experienced contender showed up to do some serious debating—Senator John McCain. Also present was the novice, Senator Barack Obama.

Seldom has a line been drawn more clearly in the fundamental differences between two political opponents contesting for the Presidency. For the first time this election year, the American voters got to compare and contrast these two men‘s moral values, lifestyles, ideas and philosophy.
 
For example, Senator Obama told us that he didn’t feel the President of the United States should take it on himself to oppose evil but to leave that to God. He seems to feel that we should confront evil with “humility,” perhaps even deference.  Senator McCain, with no evasion, said outright that as President he will work to “defeat” evil. Throughout the discussion, the differences remained that stark.

Under McCain, we would become energy independent. Obama, on the other hand, would focus on his expectations for the American people to change their lifestyles to require less energy.

Under Obama, children will continue to be killed within the sanctity and security of their mothers’ wombs. In answer to Pastor Warren’s question as to what stage of life he thought a baby gained human rights, Obama felt this was a scientific or moral question that was “above his pay grade.”

This is insulting to the American people and even insulting to Obama himself. It was a ridiculous response—one usually given by novice bureaucrats who are called upon to answer for something beyond their level of comprehension or capacity. It is in no way an appropriate answer for one who speaks as a prospective president of the United States – one who would hope to set the moral tone for the nation and instill confidence in its people. Indeed, I fear that many of the problems presidents and commanders in chief are routinely expected to face Obama would find above his pay grade to solve. McCain, on the other hand, spoke strongly and convincingly on his opposition to abortion and on every other issue raised, and one had the sense in listening to him that no issue would ever come across his desk that he would be afraid to face.
 
Senator McCain would appoint Supreme Court Justices who pledge to uphold the Constitution and to refrain from legislating from the bench. Senator Obama would do just the opposite—preferring justices who play fast and free with constitutional interpretation. His answers made it clear that he prefers a left wing, political style of judicial decision-making to a strict interpretation of the Constitution.
 
These are some of the differences Rick Warren’s even handed questioning of our Presidential candidates brought out Saturday night. Based on their answers, which one of these two men will you vote for?