Candidates to take turns at faith forum

WASHINGTON -- Barack Obama and John McCain make back-to-back appearances Saturday at an evangelical conference aimed at getting the presidential hopefuls' views on issues dealing with leadership and compassion.

The goal of the forum at the 22,000-member Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., is a "conversation, not a confrontation," said Larry Ross, a spokesman for Rick Warren, the megachurch's pastor.

Warren will interview each candidate separately for about an hour on the presidency and Constitution, the role of the United States in the world, global poverty and, possibly, abortion.

McCain and Obama are scheduled to share the stage briefly, for a handshake.

Warren also will ask the candidates about their faith because "personal faith is your worldview and that determines how you will lead," Ross said. "He doesn't think you can separate faith from politics."

CNN and MSNBC will broadcast the two-hour forum live, beginning ...