Julie R Fricke

I only say that because I can tell from the TOTAL LACK of postings that you are all busy with things more important than LJ. In an effort to contribute to one of the very few diversions that I have, and thus serve as a catalyst for an LJ  reaction, I will share a few observations with you.

I've gotten quite interested in the presidential race. Though I am certainly aware of the substantive qualities each candidate has shown, I also like to focus on the totally- without- merit un-substantive qualities they have shown since I know how frequently those are the factors that actually turn out to be influential. Last debate it was McCain's tie, for example, that I felt subtly gave the message that he was not a vibrant, noteworthy guy. Obama won the tie contest two weeks ago.

I thought that the format of the town meeting  last night did not serve McCain well. --Mostly because he kinda limps around. We've seen both candidates working a crowd. Obama is a pleasure to watch. There's a spring in his step and a beautiful smile on his face. Now we all know why McCain limps around. Every one of us recognizes that he was injured as a POW and gives him due credit for that. But compared to Obama, it just illustrates all too plainly that he (relatively speaking) is an OLD MAN. An old man who could die. And then what do we have? Sarah Palin

Speaking of Sarah Palin, how  can McCain even begin to refer to the "lack" of experience Obama has when (1) (as we've already pointed out) He's an old man who limps and  might crump any day   and (2) Sarah Palin is his back-up? Let me repeat that: (2) Sarah Palin is his back-up?

I had certain reactions to the debate last night. I was surprised that the spin wizards did not pick up on them right away. Then about 30 minutes into the analysis, I started hearing my very own reactions coming from them as well. Interesting.

First of all, I couldn't believe it when McCain stated THREE times that he ws going to bail out all of the bad mortgages. I was amazed that Obama didn't jump right on that. Later I figured that he rightly decided to let all the analysts and right wingers freak out on that all on their own without him sticking his foot in it. There was something else as well which led me to thinking that McCain was really starting to sound like a socialist. (Sorry, whatever that was totally escapes me at the moment). At any rate, the right wingers must be frantically rolling over in their premature graves, even as they frantically dig them.

I felt that McCain overdid his harping on what a great "cross- the- aisle" legislator he's been. What are we electing, a legislator? No. Psst, we need a president. Frankly I'd rather have a diplomat and a thinker, someone with charisma. Someone I don't mind looking at. Someone who is easy to listen to because he makes sense when he talks.  Someone who will probably still be breathing during the next 8 years.

Back to totally un-substantive things. Last time they debated, O, (Who apparently identifies with this topic) snidely commented that McCain, being "mature" must really have to pee. After all, one and a half hours is a pretty long time to be standing there under the hot lights answering tricky questions. After last night's debate it was explained later that McCain had quickly left the stage. Obama stayed behind for a good 20 minutes or more, greeting people and evidently signing autographs. I guess we can imagine where John went. ..to the john.

Perhaps it's not really important but I think we need a president who isn't requiring extra time scheduled in for running off to the loo. Self control, as McCain himself has stated, is pretty important, after all. How about during those inevitable high summit meetings. "Excuse me, Vladimir, but I need to find the restroom. Er, that's OK, I certainly still know where it is."

Let's hear it for youth, agility, and bladder control!

(Apologies to any and all who are suffering from bladder control issues. But you're not running for president!!)

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McCain:

• Wrong tie
• nervous start
• disjointed sentences, incomplete ideas
• Interesting use of the word "existential,"  meant as he used it, I believe, to refer to the existance of Israel

Obama:

• looked sharp
• looked at the camera/audience
• concise and well connected thoughts
• I really liked how he said he would not pull that, "I don't like what you're doing so I'm not going to talk to you" baloney. I've always said that that's where we went wrong initially in Iraq. What if we HAD done business with the Iraqi people before the war. None of them would have wanted to give up an their food supplier/electrical contractor/dam builder/medicine supplier

I would love to have Sarah Palin having to answer the foreign policy questions that McCain was lording over Obama