Presidential Pathos

This photo will probably not resonate with many of my readers. It is the forced grin McCain usually flashes after delivering an Obama put down. My readers probably don't see enough clips of McCain to realize this.

Having energy for little else then trying to beat a cold the past few days, I've seen quite a few of these on the various news shows covering campaign events. It has given me the opportunity to reflect on the rhetoric coming from both camps.

Obama has touched on substance to a degree; as much as I'd expect when trying not to provide fodder for the opposition. McCain tells me what Obama will do versus what he, McCain, will do but I have yet to hear him say how he actually intends to do anything.

The mantra has been reduced to ridiculous name calling; socialist, communist, redistributor and on and on. The stretch is so great I wonder that the whole nation hasn't tuned it out. He remains on the kick that Obama is too inexperienced and naive. I won't even go into the ranting coming from the Palin wing of the campaign other than to point out she hasn't improved her level of articulation, nor realize "Joe Mama" is not to be uttered lightly.

It seems to me McCain is accusing Obama of being a mirror image of himself as the one who doesn't "get it ". He promised to run an "honorable" campaign. What happened to it? A campaign of substance. Where is it? Oh, sure, all the policy positions can be found on the web site if one is so inclined to study them. In this age of instant gratification, it's unlikely many do.

Other than that the whole wrap up has been reduced to no more than a circus sideshow of personality bashing. It's McCain who doesn't "get it". Obama gets it just fine. That's what "change" is all about. A departure from the mudslinging and character assassination of partisan politics. An addressing of issues and ideas for solutions.

I've already voted, yet I continue to watch. Policy differences aside, an unaddressed issue is now the comportment of the candidates. Cool and composed versus hyper, bumbling, artificial and a deep seeded mean-spiritedness. There is no question in my mind which man I would rather have facing down the problems that loom before our nation.

As I have preached so often, campaign promises are only as good as the Congress in place and the circumstances of reality. They will change over the course of an administration. That is reality. Equally important to me is how the President will react to changing conditions; how willing he is to listen to advice and to alter his thinking if necessary. Wisdom. Prudence. Pragmatic.

Which candidate? To me it's a no brainer. I'm sorry the polls aren't reflecting a like minded constituency.