Red Room Where the Writers Are

That was the best debate yet. Too bad it was the last.

This is just some random thoughts, no organization. This post is more like waves on the ocean than a river of thought.

Thanks to Barack Obama for staying -- mostly -- on topic. Jeers to McCain for towing the Republican Line and bringing up William Aires. Talk about beating a dead horse.

Seriously people, can't we all just get along? Wait? Future President Obama actually said that, didn't he? He suggested that the Democrats and Republicans need to work together. He tried multiple times to build bridges. I'm damn impressed with that attitude. I really wish he weren't running so much negative advertising. He doesn't need it. He's bigger than that, but has yielded some of his campaign to the DNC which are insisting that the negative adds are necessary.

Barack Obama showed his ability to think on his feet, showed his calm poise, and showed his presidential grace. He's the man for the job, despite his association with the National Nanny Club.

Its funny how McCain brought up Barack changing his mind about his campaign finances. That was a brilliant move on Obama's part and it won the race for him. It's too bad he didn't think ahead, because saying he would take public money was a mistake. McCain made the same mistake.

It amazes me that men of this caliber and experience still don't have complete control over their reactions. They still give stuff away with expressions and motions. When ever McCain said something that Obama didn't like, Obama smiled uncontrollably. I think smiling was a bad idea and showed weakness. He should have been able to sit there and not move a muscle until he respond to the attack with the truth.

McCain was clearly on the offensive through much of the debate. It didn't look like he enjoyed it at all. It seemed as if it was against his principals. I think the decent, balanced guy I loved so much in 2000 is still in there, he's just been put under the thumb of the Republican Party.

His defense of himself for his campaign's negative press was pathetic at best. "If Senator Obama had agreed to debate me in town hall meetings..." That's just stupid. That's like saying, "well if my neighbor had agreed to play 'Ina Goda Da Vida' on his stereo I wouldn't have called the cops and reported that he shot my Cat."

When Mr. Moderator asked Obama, "Do you think Sarah Palin is prepared to be President?" I knew Obama would take the high road, but he should have been sincere. His reply was so plastic as to seem completely insincere.

When McCain defended Gov. Palin it was clear from his face that as much as he likes her, he knows she's not presidential material.

It would have been much more fun if McCain had asked Hillary to be his VP.

I still see the so called bailout as the government spitting in the face of Hurricane Sub Prime Mortgage and I worry that free market capitalism is on its way out. Neither of the candidates expressed any concern about that. in fact, no candidate expressed anything remotely realistic about how our decisions now may play out very badly for us in the future.

I guess they have to dwell on the positive for the most part. I did like how Sen. Obama made some realistic statements about how the down turn will take a lot of work and time to turn around.

I wish someone would talk about the new legislation that's needed to slow down the "bubbling" economy so we can avoid pops in the future.

You might wonder how I know Senator John McCain is going to lose. Its simple: look at his life. He is living a rather famous tragedy. His life is all about how simple mistakes can cause huge consequences. He has suffered a lot and clearly, this last chance to be president is going to be taken away from him. It has to, otherwise his life wouldn't make sense.

Any book makers laying odds on Bush declaring martial law if McCain loses? He can you know. He got the law passed.

By the way, if Barack Obama doesn't, during his first six months, repeal The Patriot Act and all the other crap the control freaks Bushies have laid on us, I'll know he's just another politician who's all talk and no walk.

I'll fill out my absentee ballot this weekend. I still might write in Ron Paul. I know Obama will win California and I'd like to see how many people will write in Ron Paul just to send a message to the two mighty parties that we're fed up with a government that is of itself, by itself and for itself.

What did you glean from the last debate?