I was impressed with Senator Obama's response to Senator McCain's motivation for a victory in Iraq. 

That was his best two minutes, he said something that no one has said, and took away dead soldiers as a political tool, even though he tried to invoke them two other times in the debate (we've lost 4000 and had 30000 wounded). 

McCain sounded as if he was fighting a ghost when he told his motivation for victory in Iraq.  He did invoke a ghost at least two time with the phrase "victory with honor." *  Obama said what presidents and senators NEED to say: (I can only paraphrase)  No American soldier has *ever* died in vain.  They were following the orders of their commander-in-chief.  Obama offered perfect phrasing about the honor and skill of all fallen soldiers.

It takes the wind out of the sails of Code Pinks, Cindy Sheehan, and those large majority THOUSANDS of silent/ingored moms who wish the conflict to *continue.*  

Obama makes a terrific figurehead, which I maintain is the President's most important role.  But it's too early for him. 

I can't image Putin sitting across the table from Obama and having the smallest amout of respect for him.  This is important because Putin wants to put nukes in Venezuela, and Kennedy's own admission was that Krushchev's disdain for JFK after a face-to-face led directly to the Cuban missle crisis.

Russians know history.  KGB knows intimidation and brute force. Obama is just one or two election cycles early.  We will find ourselves in a hot war with Russia or Venezuela with a President who doesn't command respect from ALL world leaders.  Obama isn't there yet.  He will be with seasoning.

Senator Obama has betrayed his lack of seasoning a couple of times.  It's not disrespectful to notice his awkwardness in the 911 receiving line - escpecially compared to McCains generosity in the exact same setting.  These things come with seasoning and experience.  It is not coincidental that Obama sat and observed at the table with Bush and McCain.  It was the smart thing for a junior member of leadership to do.  That experience will serve him well when it's his place as the senior member.  Even the pull of going to DC to help craft a bill.  McCain is a party leader, it's his PLACE to be involved in the decision-making of the Senate.  Obama is not in the same position in the Senate, realistically:  will Obama tell Reid and Clinton and Kennedy what needs to be done?

And that's just it:  if he doesn't command respect in all of the Senate dealings - "listen to me" respect - then we can't expect ALL the countries of the world to hold him in the same regard.  Four years from now? Eight? Twelve?  Twelve, definitely.  Eight, good shot - REAL good shot.  Four, probably not.  *IF* he loses, he needs to emulate Teddy or Nixon more than Gore to still be relevant in 2012 or 2016. 

Best for the country?  I think McCain for four years, Clinton/Palin race in 2012, Obama/GOP in 2016 or 2020.



BTW: I'm not concerned with "gotcha" fact checking.  Both men acquitted themselves very well: presidentially. 

Only the most idiotic partisan jerk would walk away from last night's show *terrified* of a presidency for their imagined foe.  Keep this in mind as all the actresses (Streisand, Lohan - LOHAN, Hilton, Damon, Clooney, Baldwin), radio talk shows (Hannity, Limbaugh), television talk shows ("View", "Good Morning America"), comedians (Letterman, Miller, Stewart) begin their work at ENTERTAINING THEIR OWN AUDIENCES. 




* yes, this is President Nixon's phrasing (with Dr Kissinger behind McCain, we know exactly where this phrasing comes from)...  but don't bother me with your opinions unless you know your Vietnam devil is Johnson...