McCain, Obama to share Saddleback stage

LAKE FOREST, Calif. — Presumptive presidential nominees John McCain and Barak Obama will make their first joint appearance of the 2008 campaign at Saddleback Church.
Each man has agreed to a 30-minute question session from Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback. Although both agreed to briefly share the stage together, each candidate will face Warren one-on-one.

“We're honored that the candidates chose The Saddleback Civil Forum on Leadership and Compassion for their first joint appearance, an unprecedented opportunity for America to hear both men back-to-back on the same platform,” Warren said. “This is a critical time for our nation and the American people deserve to hear both candidates speak from the heart—without interruption—in a civil and thoughtful format absent the partisan 'gotcha' questions that typically produce heat instead of light.

“The primaries proved that Americans care deeply about the faith, values, character and leadership convictions of candidates as much as they do about the issues. While I know both men as friends and they recognize I will be frank, but fair, they also know I will be raising questions in these four areas beyond what political reporters typically ask. This includes pressing issues that are bridging divides in our nation, such as poverty, HIV/AIDS, climate and human rights.”