Church Forum to Take Presidential Candidates Off Talking Points

John McCain and Barack Obama risk being seen out of their element and off their talking points Saturday night when they join influential pastor Rick Warren for a forum at his California mega-church. But the unusual event also will provide an opportunity for the political rivals to woo conservative Christian voters, a bloc that has largely supported the Republican Party but that Obama nevertheless has courted. The importance of the evangelical vote is only underscored by Obama’s and McCain’s willingness to join Warren at his Saddleback Church for the forum. It is their first such appearance together since they clinched their respective nominations. Obama has resisted calls from McCain to join him for a set of town hall meetings. “The fact that this event is even taking place is significant,” Republican strategist Doug Heye said. “It could provide an opportunity for Barack Obama to make some inroads, but I think you’ll see John McCain stressing his conservative ... (link)