America 'slipping away', says Obama

WASHINGTON - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said Saturday night that he believed America was "slipping away" and needed someone to get it back on track.

Speaking to a large Christian audience at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest of Orange County near Los Angeles, Obama said: "We've got to make the big decisions but we keep putting them off."

Washington is "broken", but "I have the ability to build bridges. I hope I have the opportunity to do that," Obama said.

Speaking on the same occasion, Republican presidential candidate John McCain said he also can bring the country together and that he can "move across the aisle" between Republicans and Democrats in Congress.

The forum at Saddleback Church presented a rare opportunity for Christian voters to contrast candidates who do not conform neatly to party stereotypes. While Obama has spoken often about his faith - and endured a storm of controversy over comments made by the former pastor of the Chicago church he attended until recently - McCain has largely avoided public discussions of faith and values during his career.

The televised event was hosted by Rick Warren, the author of "The Purpose Driven Life" and one of the country's most prominent evangelical preachers. Warren, a Southern Baptist, referred to both McCain and Obama as friends in his introductions. "They both care deeply about America," Warren said. "They're both patriots."

Responding to Warren's questions, McCain, the Republican, said he wants "to inspire a generation of Americans to serve a cause greater than themselves. I've always put my country first. I'll be the president of every American."

In a thinly veiled criticism of President George W Bush's rhetoric after the 9/11 attacks, McCain said he was troubled that Americans had been asked to go shopping to stimulate the economy rather than being called on to "devote ourselves to causes greater than our self-interests."

Warren also queried the contenders about the role Jesus Christ has played in their lives.

"I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins and I am redeemed through him," Obama told Warren. "That is a source of strength and sustenance on a daily basis." McCain said he had been "saved and forgiven" through his belief in Christ.

Referring to marital issues, both candidates said they believed marriage should only be between a man and a woman, but Obama said he believed that was an issue that should be left up to individual states, while McCain said he would support a federal constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage if a court ruled that one state would have to accept same-sex marriages from another state.

As the two candidates spoke, people against the Iraq war marched outside the event, demanding an immediate withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.

The protesters caused no problems and no arrests were made, said Jim Amormino of the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

The event took place under heavy security, with helicopters whirling above and sharpshooters on the roof.