McCain, Obama to share stage

July 21, 2008

McCain, Obama to share stage

Posted: 04:00 PM ET

From CNN Associate Political Editor Rebecca Sinderbrand

(CNN) — John McCain and Barack Obama will share a stage next month, shortly before officially claiming their parties’ presidential nominations.

Both men will appear at a forum at Pastor Rick Warren’s Saddlebrook Church August 16 – and briefly appear on stage together before being interviewed separately by the “Purpose-Driven Life” author.

“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,” said Warren in a statement released Monday.

He added that he viewed both men as friends, but “they also know I will be raising questions… beyond what political reporters typically ask,” including issues like climate change, human rights, poverty and HIV/AIDS.

The Saddlebrook forum will be co-sponsored by Faith in Public Life, which co-organized a similar event with CNN at Messiah College in advance of the Pennsylvania primary.


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