On Polite Discourse

Last night's third and final debate didn't seem to be the game-changer McCain and the GOP were hoping for, even though it was probably his best performance and Obama's worst. Unfortunately for McCain, it solidified the "angry old man" image that he's aquired over the last few weeks. Sure, he was always an older American, but there's a big difference between being older and being old. My grandfather, God bless him, was a funny, warm older American until the day he died - just days away from his 97th birthday. He was never an old man. John McCain has become the stereotype of the pants-above-the-navel, nasty, screaming geezer waving at the young whippersnappers to "get the hell off my lawn." His kitchen sink approach to last night's debate just added to that impression.

No one really cares about Bill Ayers. Obama was eight years old when the Weather Underground was in its heyday. If we were all condemned for the people we served on boards with, people we sat in church with, people we have simply known throughout our lives there wouldn't be ANYONE qualified to be President of the United States.

No one cares about ACORN. They're trying to get people to register to vote. Sure, there will always be idiots who register as "Mickey Mouse" or "Jack Bauer" but do those idiots try and vote as "Mickey Mouse" or "Jack Bauer"? There is zero evidence that they do. I'd like to point out to all the folks who are coming unglued by the fake voter registrations: It isn't a crime to fill out a fake voter registration; it's only a crime if you vote under a fake name.

These arguments aren't working because people are far more worried about the economy. Barack Obama has proven to be the calm voice of reason during these turbulent times. Every time they say he's lightweight, try to associate him with terrorists, try to paint him as inexperienced - it all backfires because his own demeanor belies these attacks. He is thoughful, educated, intelligent and likeable; he seeks the counsel of many smart people from varied backgrounds; he listens. These are qualities that Americans are craving because they have been so sorely lacking in our executive branch over these last eight years.

Americans want a change - not just from ideology, but from temperament, too. Frat boy leadership failed; now it's time to try to let the geeks rule.