Anticipating the final Presidential Debate

There is only 2 1/2 hours before the final debate will be held and hosted by Bill Schieffer of CBS. In the commentary of the past few hours by the Main St. media, they are apparently looking for McCain to start a fight, using character associations over issues as the catalyst. If that's what happens by McCain, then we all lose. If it starts to go that way, we should all shut off our televisions or change the channel to watch a movie. They keep track of the number of viewers. It is expected that over 70 Million will view the debate. If the mud starts being thrown, just vote for the choice you have already made. Forget those undecided voters. They just crave attention anyway.

They say McCain is a maverick. Well, if you call picking an unknown, as your VP running mate a maverick, that certainly isn't the kind of maverick we need at this time. Just think of the risk we are taking if he chooses his Treasury Secretary the same way. Barack on the other hand has both Paul Vocker former Fed Chairman and Warren Buffet as advisors. In this case their association with Barack shows the measure of the man. Why else would such greats be advising Barack?

We need hope and trust again in our leaders. Obama is not really a fixture in Washington as he has served as a Senator only a relative few years as compared to McCain. And he has lived a more modest life and struggled as most of us have to make something of ourselves. I say we break with tradition and give Barack a real chance. We are all going to need to make some sacrifices. Who better to lead us in those sacrifices then someone who has struggled his whole life against many odds.

Oct. 30th Democratic Presidential debate: Can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!

I watched the last Democratic Presidential debate twice to see where I came out on it. I found John Edwards did a great job of speaking to America and distinguishing his differences with Hillary. In doing, so he elevated all the candidates’ status. Joe Biden was terrific and rightfully discussed Iran and the saber rattling in the context of the much more important issue with Pakistan: having Nuclear Bombs on missiles pointed at India and the instability of Pakistan's President Musharraf's Government. Obama tagged on to Edwards going after Hillary and did OK. But Chris Dodd was also a positive surprise pointing out Hillary's problem with about 50% of the population saying they would never vote for Hillary. All in all, it was the first really good debate. As for the jousting amongst the candidates going after Hillary on her stands and inconsistency over the issues that inspired Gov. Richardson to come to the defense of Hillary, I found it resulted in my ruling out Richardson as a viable candidate. This is the very type of debate we need. It's about issues, political stands and inconsistencies in what the candidates have said in the past, that needs to be debated. As this phrase came from President Truman who is depicted in the picture above, Gov. Richardson, if you can't stand the heat on others, get out of the kitchen!

Republican Presidential Debate: What's missing?

Tonight, the one candidate, who would make this Republican Presidential Debate most interesting, isn't going to be there. That candidate is Senator Chuck Hagel. The major issue for the country right now is the Iraq war and Hagel is the only Republican candidate that that has a different position than his colleagues and his voice will not be raised in what appears to be a more dull evening than the Democrats were. At least they had Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) who not only favors cutting off the funding but also favors impeaching VP Cheney. He certainly isn't considered mainstream but it is good the Democrats represent both ends of the spectrum, Far left and the Center, with most Americans favoring a pullout from Iraq. The real question is whether those Republicans that oppose Amnesty for illegal aliens voice this concern and push their colleagues on another popular position with the majority of the American people. What the country is begging for is a candidate of either party that wants us out of Iraq and that want real Border Security before Amnesty is even considered.