Barack Obama got a thumpin' at the forum at Saddleback Church in Orange County, Calif.

The hint was when liberal bloggers insisted that, despite Rev. Rick Warren's claim that John McCain was in a "cone of silence" while Obama was being interviewed, the Arizona senator must have heard the questions beforehand and thus was more at ease in answering them. How sad. What these bloggers forget is that McCain has been in Congress since 1983 and has probably learned a thing or two about communicating. And what they won't accept is what the rest of the country saw so clearly: McCain shined with answers that were crisp and precise, while Obama meandered with answers that seemed thoughtful but unoriginal.

Could it be that, after months of gaffes and flip-flopping, the Straight Talk Express is back on-track? Could it be that, even with Obama's oratory skills, the Democrat isn't so good in one-on-one situations?

It is too soon to tell. But, at this one forum, McCain did seem at ease. He seemed confident and sure of what he believed. Obama seemed guarded and less than candid. He is quite obviously intelligent, but he could do himself some good by working on his ability to connect with voters.

The real winner was Warren, who broke through the noise of the presidential campaign by bringing together both presidential candidates for a brief but civil discourse on faith and politics.

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