Let this be a lesson to us all. I'm not sure why anyone should be surprised. McCain's staff knew McCain had to do well. They knew he frequently blows it when he has to think on his feet. On the other hand, that Obama having thought much about topics of spirituality, didn't think he needed to prepare answers.
And in fact Obama didn't do badly, he just didn't do as well as McCain.
Why I don't think the possibility of listening in would have made that much difference is that McCain doesn't think fast enough to look this prepared based on just a few minutes advantage.
No, McCain's staff easily studied Warren's history, book and sremon's and was easily able to determine what the likely questions that he would ask. For example they had to know that he was like to ask about a personal moral failing, or something done that was regretted, or some kind of sin committed.
And they were able to determine that failure of his first marriage when stated as such, could easily mean that he didn't try hard enough to keep marriage going. He didn't take out the trash or something more easily forgiven than deliberately committed adultery.
I think us pursuing the idea that McCain cheating by hearing questions in advance is a mistake.