I found the preliminary transcript of the Saddleback Civil Forum Starring Rick Warren. I thought it would be an interesting exercise to put the candidates words head to head. With the majority of the punditry claiming McCain "won" the interview portion, why not review exactly what was said?

WARREN: Now let's deal with abortion. 40 million abortions since Roe v. Wade. You know, as a pastor, I deal with this all the time All of the pain and all of the conflicts. I know this is a very complex issue. 40 million abortions. At what point does a baby get human rights in your view?

OBAMA: Well, I think that whether you are looking at it from a theological perspective or a scientific perspective, answering that with specificity, you know, is above my pay grade. But let me just speak more generally about the issue of abortion because this is something obviously the country wrestles with. One thing that I'm absolutely convinced of it there is a more and ethical content to this issue. So I think that anybody who tries to deny the moral difficulties and gravity of the abortion issue, I think is not paying attention. So that would be point number one. But, point number two, I am pro-choice. I believe in Roe v. Wade and come to that conclusion not because I am pro-abortion, but because ultimately, I don't think women make these decisions casually. They wrestle with these things in a profound way. In consultation with their pastors or spouses or their doctors and their family members. And so for me, the goal right now should be -- and this is where we can find some common ground, and by the way I have now inserted into the Democratic* Party platform -- is how do we reduce the number of abortions, because the fact is that abortions over the last eight years have not gone down.

[AUTHOR'S NOTE: *The transcript says "Democrat", but we know that Obama would refer to the "Democratic Party," and that "Democrat Party" is a Republican usage.] 

WARREN: Have you ever voted to limit or reduce abortions?

OBAMA: I am in favor, for example, of limits on late term abortions if there is an exception for the mother's health. Now from the perspective of those who, you know, are pro-life, I think they would consider that inadequate. And I respect their views. I mean one of the things that I've always said is that on this particular issue, if you believe that life begins as conception, then -- and you are consistent with that belief -- then I can't argue with you on that, because that is a core issue of faith for you. What I can and do say is there are ways that we can work together to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies so that we actually are reducing the sense that women are seeking out abortions, and as an example of that, one of the things that I've talked about is how do we provide the resources that allow women to make the choice to keep a child. You know, have we given them the healthcare that they need? Have we given them the support services that they need. Have we given them the options of adoption that are necessary? That, I think can make a genuine difference.

WARREN: There's a lot more I'd like to ask on that but we've got 15 other questions here.

In contrast now, here is McCain:

WARREN: Let's deal with abortion. I, as a pastor, have to deal with this all the time, every different angle, every different pain, all of the decisions and all of that. 40 million abortions since Roe v. Wade. Some people who -- people who believe that life begins at conception would say that's a holocaust for many people. At what point is a baby entitled to human rights?

McCAIN: At the moment of conception. I have a 25-year pro-life record in the Congress, in the Senate, and as President of the United States, I will be a pro-life President with pro-life policies. That's my commitment. That's my commitment to you.

WARREN: Okay. We don't have to go longer on that one.

Hmmmm.... Oh please... do go on...

Now maybe it's just me, But I would have asked McCain just what "pro-life policies" he's talking about? I would have asked him how he would seek to reconcile the views of the majority of Americans -- who are pro-choice -- with these policies and encourage them to embrace the views of conservative Christians. I think I would have gone on longer. I would have  asked why he broached the names of two pro-choice politicians -- Tom Ridge and little buddy Joe Lieverman as possible Vice Presidents in a McCain administration.

Obama delivered a substantive answer that looked at how to support the products of unwanted or unintended pregnancy, the need for adoption, healthcare, support services, while McCain said he's got some "policies."

And one final note, pay attention to how the question was introduced. Notice a difference? Notice any "coded" language to set up this hot-button issue? Like, I dunno, "holocaust" perhaps?