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US rivals try to woo Christians US rivals try to woo Christians
(about 2 hours later)
US presidential hopefuls, Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama, are trying to woo Christian voters at a religious forum in California.US presidential hopefuls, Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama, are trying to woo Christian voters at a religious forum in California.
The pair are sharing a stage for the first time since securing nomination, with influential US pastor Rick Warren interviewing both for an hour. The two men are sharing a stage for the first time since securing nomination, questioned by US pastor Rick Warren.
The two men are expected to face questions on their personal values, leadership and international affairs. Speaking first, Mr Obama defended his support for abortion and same-sex civil unions, but said marriage should only be between a man and a woman.
The Reverend Warren said he would not endorse either of the candidates. The Reverend Warren has said he will not endorse either of the candidates.
Senator Obama is going first. The forum is the senators' last joint appearance before their official nomination as the Republican and Democratic candidates for November's presidential election at their respective party conventions in a few weeks.
The forum will be the senators' last joint appearance before their official nomination as the Republican and Democratic candidates at the party conventions in a few weeks.
Three debates are scheduled to take place after the conventions.Three debates are scheduled to take place after the conventions.
'No wiggle room' Moral failure
Mr Warren is best known for building Saddleback Church into a 20,000-member "mega-church" in Lake Forest, southern California, and for writing The Purpose-Driven Life.Mr Warren is best known for building Saddleback Church into a 20,000-member "mega-church" in Lake Forest, southern California, and for writing The Purpose-Driven Life.
Barack Obama questioned over religion
At the beginning of the first hour-long interview, Mr Obama told the pastor that America's greatest moral failure was its insufficient help to the disadvantaged.
The Illinois senator noted that the Bible had quoted Jesus as saying: "Whatever you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me."
He said the maxim should apply to victims of poverty, sexism and racism.
Mr Obama also reaffirmed his belief that marriage should only be a "union between a man and a woman", although he also defended his support for same-sex civil unions and for the granting of similar rights to same-sex partners.
If he were president, he said he would not support a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage because the issue was one for state governments to decide.
On abortion, Mr Obama stressed that he remained pro-choice and that he believed in the Roe vs Wade Supreme Court ruling supporting it.
However, he did say that he would seek to reduce the number of late-term abortions and unwanted pregnancies.
'No wiggle room'
Ahead of the forum, Mr Warren said he would ask both men questions that did not have "a lot wiggle room".
"But I do want to know how they handle a crisis, because a lot of the things in the presidency often deal with things you don't know are going to happen," he told CNN.
Mr Warren has built a 20,000-member "mega-church"Mr Warren has built a 20,000-member "mega-church"
Ahead of the forum, Mr Warren told CNN he would ask both men questions that did not have "a lot wiggle room". Conservative Christians form about one-quarter of the US electorate. They largely support the Republican Party, but have not shown great enthusiasm for Mr McCain.
"But I do want to know how they handle a crisis, because a lot of the things in the presidency often deal with things you don't know are going to happen," he said. The Arizona senator is now taking questions.
John McCain, who identifies himself as Baptist, has made a strong appeal to social conservatives and evangelical Christians during his campaign. He identifies himself as Baptist and has made a strong appeal to social conservatives and evangelical Christians during his campaign.
But he rarely discusses his faith. Earlier this year he said: "I'm unashamed and unembarrassed about my deep faith in God. But I do not obviously try to impose my views on others."But he rarely discusses his faith. Earlier this year he said: "I'm unashamed and unembarrassed about my deep faith in God. But I do not obviously try to impose my views on others."
Meanwhile, Barack Obama's appearance will underscore the tension that his support for abortion rights and same-sex civil unions has created with the more conservative religious voters.
Mr Obama, a Christian, has made a point of discussing his religion on the campaign trail and has been courting religious voters with a presence on Christian radio and blogs, and other events.Mr Obama, a Christian, has made a point of discussing his religion on the campaign trail and has been courting religious voters with a presence on Christian radio and blogs, and other events.