Saddleback pastor cancels presidential forum

By The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pastor Rick Warren says he’s canceled plans for a “civil forum” featuring the presidential candidates because their campaign is so uncivil.

Neither the Obama campaign nor the Romney campaign says their candidate had committed to appearing at the forum at Warren’s Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., near Los Angeles. The forum had been planned for this week.

In an interview published Wednesday by the Orange County Register, Warren said the forum’s goal was to promote civility and personal respect between people with major differences. He said that’s not been the climate of the presidential campaign and that he doesn’t expect that to change.

In 2008, Warren’s church sponsored a forum with Obama and Republican John McCain.

Saddleback’s website says that about 20,000 people attend its weekend services.