I wondered the whole time during the Saddle Back Evangelical Interview if it wasn't being orchestrated to favor McCain. Supposedly each candidate would not hear the other's responses to cherry picked questions nor would they know what questions were being asked. I think a coin flip decided who went first...it was Obama. Presumably McCain was in a sound proof box unable to hear the questions or Obama's responses.

Well McCain wasn't in a sound proof box. Instead he was in a motorcade. And, living in Southern California and having been traveling on the freeway at that time I know for a fact that KNX1070 was broadcasting LIVE Obama's responses to Pastor Warren's questions. Yet we are to believe that McCain didn't listen one bit to what Obama said or what questions he was asked.

The New York Times reports Despite Assurances, McCain Wasn’t in a ‘Cone of Silence’

By KATHARINE Q. SEELYE
Published: August 17, 2008

ORLANDO, Fla. — Senator John McCain was not in a “cone of silence” on Saturday night while his rival, Senator Barack Obama, was being interviewed at the Saddleback Church in California.

Members of the McCain campaign staff, who flew here Sunday from California, said Mr. McCain was in his motorcade on the way to the church as Mr. Obama was being interviewed by the Rev. Rick Warren, the author of the best-selling book “The Purpose Driven Life.”

The matter is of interest because Mr. McCain, who followed Mr. Obama’s hourlong appearance in the forum, was asked virtually the same questions as Mr. Obama. Mr. McCain’s performance was well received, raising speculation among some viewers, especially supporters of Mr. Obama, that he was not as isolated during the Obama interview as Mr. Warren implied.

Nicolle Wallace, a spokeswoman for Mr. McCain, said on Sunday night that Mr. McCain had not heard the broadcast of the event while in his motorcade and heard none of the questions.

“The insinuation from the Obama campaign that John McCain, a former prisoner of war, cheated is outrageous,” Ms. Wallace said.

How far does the whole POW thing really go? To me, just the fact that they had to use it here smells of guilt. What in the hell does McCain's POW status have to do with whether or not he listened to Obama on the radio on his way to Saddleback Church?

What, just because he was a POW we are to believe he can do no wrong? All of a sudden he is infallible? Did he become Jesus Christ while in the Hanoi Hilton?

It smells rotten and sounds rotten. It sounds guilty. "Why, how dare you question John McCain, he was a POW for Pete's Sake! He's a war hero!".

I have a feeling we will be hearing the POW defense quite often between now and November.