if anyone is still harboring silly notions of "there's no real difference between the two candidates" after watching this forum, they weren't really watching.

Besides the normal differences between Democrats and Republicans, I didn't quite see it, at least not anything so pronounced as to call it a clear choice. But then again, I'm such a moderate, sometimes I don't know what I believe.

I think the big issue here is what sort of Supreme Court Justices will they appoint. This is from the Washington Post this morning:

McCain named the four justices considered most liberal: Stephen G. Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, David H. Souter and John Paul Stevens. Obama singled out Clarence Thomas for criticism, saying he was not prepared for elevation to the court, and also noted that he disagrees sharply with Justice Antonin Scalia.

Andrew - I was referring to the contrast in their answers on abortion, taxes, and the war primarily.

Bird - on your point, Obama is already getting criticism from certain quarters for the irony in his statement about Thomas "not being qualified" - qualifications and experience are areas where Obama, rightly or wrongly, is vulnerable.

I personally really like Clarence Thomas so I disagreed with him here.

Watch this and then read this

Is it just me?

I didn't get a chance to watch, but I've been keeping an eye on these issues and more since early last year. I've got a good idea who's in my sights, but we'll see how things go in the next couple months.

That said... I'm back. I know... you're going "who the heck are you?!", but I used to comment here as "simon (of the big sort)". I've got you guys blogrolled (and am not expecting a reciprocal link), so I'll probably be around some.

Simon, I remember you!

As do I!

Well then. It's good to be remembered!

*chuckles*

Very interesting. I just watched the whole thing on youtube, and I have to say that Obama IS quite personable. When he was talking, I felt as if I was eavesdropping on a real conversation between him and Pastor Warren. When McCain was talking, I felt as if it was Rick Warren giving Senator McCain an opportunity to say the things he wanted to say to the voters and McCain taking advantage of that opportunity. I liked both men, Obama with his nuanced and thoughtful answers and McCain with his stories and firm declarations of good intent and strong conviction..

But either Obama's the better actor, or else he's more sincere and open and unrehearsed. Not sure which it is, and not sure if it really matters in the grand scheme.

Very interesting. I just watched the whole thing on youtube, and I have to say that Obama IS quite personable. When he was talking, I felt as if I was eavesdropping on a real conversation between him and Pastor Warren. When McCain was talking, I felt as if it was Rick Warren giving Senator McCain an opportunity to say the things he wanted to say to the voters and McCain taking advantage of that opportunity. I liked both men, Obama with his nuanced and thoughtful answers and McCain with his stories and firm declarations of good intent and strong conviction..

But either Obama's the better actor, or else he's more sincere and open and unrehearsed. Not sure which it is, and not sure if it really matters in the grand scheme.

I want to comment here, but I don't want to take the time just yet.

You can watch the whole thing here.

Here's a thought, I wonder if anyone shares---

Does anyone else out there think that it is significant that the first presidential debate was in an Evangelical Church hosted by an Evangelical Pastor, at his invitation! These two can't agree when to meet, and Rick Warren issues an invitation, and he determines the format and the questions and they actually SHOW UP!

That seems like a huge deal to me. When in history has this EVER happened before? We evangelicals have more influence than we realize.

Oh and another thought... I think that those conservatives who don't think that McCAin is conservative enough ought to feel much better after watchig this. I know I did.