The American Spectator

br> Princeton, West Virginia /p>

Obama is getting a complete pass on social issues, and it just might make the difference between a win or a loss for him, as it is clear the “Obamedia” will mention nothing about Obama’s extreme left-liberalism on such issues.

It was really disturbing to read in the article that Rev Rick Warren is setting up this forum in a way designed to maximize the confusion about where Obama stands on social issues by emphasizing instead: “poverty, HIV/AIDS, climate, and human rights.”

My reaction: What a disappointing list of topics that will do little or nothing to tell us who is best to lead. So I sent the rickwarrennews.com contacts a letter expressing my disappointment and calling on Rev Warren to put these four issues into the forum:

1. Marriage: Redefining marriage to include homosexual couples will be the law in California if voters don’t protect traditional marriage in its state constitution in the election this November; New York State is about to accept marriage licenses from California including gay marriage licenses, and so it means gay marriage will spread across several states unless California voters stop it.

McCain is for the California amendment protecting marriage. Obama has spoken against it to GLBT groups, and is therefore now in the pro-gay-marriage camp. They should be asked to defend their positions and explain the future they envision for marriage in America.

2. Abortion/life: Obama is a pro-abortion legislator, who has a 100% NARAL record and 0% right-to-life record. Obama is so extreme on this he even voted against a bill that would protect infants born alive after ‘botched’ abortions. McCain’s pro-life record is almost the opposite; strong pro-life record, although he’s in favor of embryonic stem cell research. Both men need to be asked about their positions on life and abortion and asked to defend them.

3. Judges: McCain voted for Roberts and Alito, Obama voted against both. Obama has expressed a desire to pick liberal activist judges who advance liberal ideals from the bench. Given the tawdry history of activist Judges who have ruled in ways that undermines America’s heritage, our moral values, rule of law, etc., Obama’s views are multi-pronged threat. The candidates need to be asked to defend their approach to selecting and approving judges.

4. Education: Obama’s opposition to abstinence education should be brought up. McCain and Obama differ on school choice. The vital issue of education should be discussed, especially the areas of sex ed, educating moral values and citizenship, and school choice.

Abortion, marriage, education, judges — these are fundamental issues that must be discussed!

p>Two hours devoted to the questions Rev Warren mentions instead of the above will be a huge missed opportunity to discuss the real social issues that we face. It will instead be a Kumbaya Social Justice confab that informs nobody and bamboozles many. Somehow, somewhere, some one needs to call out Barack Obama on his extreme left views on marriage, abortion, judges, and education. It will discredit Rev Warren immensely if he allows himself to be party to a bamboozling by ignoring these issues. br> — Patrick McGuinness br> Austin, Texas