Barack Obama's latest tack to the middle is his endorsement of faith-based initiatives to reduce poverty. John welcomed Democratic strategist Liz Chadderdon, who predicted that Obama can win over some traditionally Republican evangelicals. "I think he can make some inroads," Chadderdon said. "There are some evangelical voters who are hard core on abortion and other issues, and they are probably not coming to Obama, but he could make huge inroads with some other white, religious voters. Senator Obama is saying that he knows government can't do it all and there are a lot of religious groups that are doing really good work." Bishop Harry Jackson, a religious conservative, expressed doubts about Obama's appeal to traditional Christians. "People will question his sincerity and the question of flip-flopping is there. Senator McCain has an opportunity if he goes after this vote, but McCain will have to let these people know that he wants their votes." John pointed out that Senator McCain has not connected with evangelicals. "He has never been comfortable talking about faith, he has never been able to touch the notes. That could be an opportunity for Obama."

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Obama supporter Wesley Clark, under fire for questioning the relevance of John McCain's military experience, defended his position on Tuesday. John spoke about the controversy with Democratic strategist Lanny Davis and former Republican Senator Rick Santorum. "I find it offensive," Davis said, "that Wesley Clark is choosing to get into the fray by attacking John McCain's admirable military record. He is politically tone deaf to have done this. I do not believe the Obama campaign liked what General Clark said." But Santorum suggested that Clark coordinated his comments with the Obama campaign. "The Obama machine is an awesome operation, and there's no way Wes Clark was a free agent. This was a very strategic, coordinated effort on the part of the Obama campaign."

Will President Bush be blamed for rising foreclosures, oil prices and food costs? "The sitting president," said Fox Business Network anchor Cheryl Casone, "either takes credit for the economy he leaves behind or is blamed for it. So he is going to be blamed for this in the eyes of the American public, but the problem is that no president has power over the economic cycle, Wall Street, and what happens in business." Obama supporter Mathew Littman argued that President Bush is fully deserving of all the blame coming his way. "George Bush cut taxes for the wealthiest Americans in a time of war and increased spending. We needed more money coming in, not less, and that has a lot to do with why the economy is tanking right now." John warned the next president, whomever he may be, that "raising taxes in a recession would be devastating."

As reported previously on The Factor, 61-year-old Joe Horn shot and killed two illegal immigrants who were robbing his neighbor's home near Houston. This week a grand jury decided not to indict Horn, a ruling that was fully endorsed by FNC legal analyst Megyn Kelly. "It is clear Joe Horn did not violate the law," Kelly declared. "Texas law, like it or not, allows a homeowner to use deadly force to protect a neighbor's house when it's being robbed. The letter of the statute is clear." But Lis Wiehl vehemently disagreed with Kelly and the grand jury. "The victims were running away from this guy and he shot them in the back. This grand jury voted with their emotion, and not based on the law." Wiehl also commented on 39-year-old Irene Gomez, who had sex with a 13-year-old boy but was sentenced to only probation. "In this society we have a 'Mrs. Robinson syndrome' where the woman is seen as doing the guy a favor."

John introduced an interview Bill conducted with neurology professor Keith Siller, who reacted to claims that cell phone use can cause brain tumors. "This has not been proven," Siller said. "The studies have been contradictory, and even if there is a risk it's on a very small scale. But you have to use common sense if there is even a miniscule risk, and earpieces would be one way of reducing the exposure." Bill urged everyone to recognize that there may be an elevated risk from prolonged cell phone use. "I'm a little worried about this, not in my own case but for kids who start using cell phones at nine years old and use them their entire life. We need a concentrated study."

3-year-old Madeleine McCann vanished while on vacation with her parents in Portugal last year, and there are reports that Portuguese police may close the case. FNC host and former district attorney Kimberly Guilfoyle portrayed Madeleine's parents as the other victims in the case. "They were called 'suspects' by the Portuguese police," Guilfoyle said, "and they are going to be under that cloud of suspicion the rest of their lives. This case was so badly handled from the beginning, and the police have yet to decide whether this was a kidnapping, a body disposal or a homicide. I don't think this case is going to be solved, it's so badly damaged."

Millions of Americans own reptiles and other exotic pets, which can create havoc in homes and neighborhoods. John introduced Bill's recent interview with National Geographic's Mike Heithaus, who provided a rundown of some most popular exotics, beginning with big cats: "There's now a federal ban on private ownership, but that hasn't stopped some people from getting them. These are just not good pets to have. Any time you try to bring a wild animal in and treat it as a pet, it's not going to work out." Large snakes: "Snakes are a big problem here in Florida. We have Burmese pythons that can be 20-feet long and are a threat to pets and even people. It's just a bad idea." Primates: "They look cute, but they make terrible, terrible pets. They're incredibly high maintenance, they're messy, and they can be a health hazard." Heithaus and Bill advised viewers to stick with less exotic but time-tested cats and dogs.