I had only a confused familiarity with the name 'Studs Terkel' when I moved to Chicago 25 years ago, but through his radio program, writings, and other events (chili competitions!), I was soon to learn what a pleasure and treasure to American life and letters.  He was one of the great listeners, oberservers, and had a gritty, honest knack for putting his experience into words. Literature in corderoy, he seemed.  And what a Mensch!  He was out and about a lot, and it wasn't hard, especially if you wanted to, to meet him. He seemed to have all the time in the world, to listen, banter, laugh.  An American gem.

Thanks, Studs, for being so great!

Lieberman will have four more years until he comes up for re-election.  Having alienated Democrats statewide, he knows that his reelection is precarious -- he might not even win the nomination of his own "Lieberman" party in CT.  The Democrats should dump him and let him know that if he wants to have any leadership place in the party, perhaps in his last two years in the Senate, he needs to show his bona fides by voting like a real Democrat.  An ostracized Lieberman could actually be a more reliable ally than one that is coddled.

McCain tried to dawn the popular mantle of change by pointing out what a maverick he's been; as is the wont of Republicans, he's run on being a different sort of personality rather than bringing substantively different policies or governing philosophy to Washington (what change after earmarks are banished?).  For Obama, it's always been about the substantive change in policy and, even more, in philosophy.  McCain's gambit seemed to be getting a little traction in September, and then the economelt happened, and although it brought forward an issue (the economy) that favors Democrats, I think the really devastating effect of this world-event is to introduce a scale of concern that made the 'maverick individual' seem puny and petty.  Yes, a maverick can 'shake things up,' but shaking things usually leads to a reorganization of the status quo rather than introduce real difference and change.

This difference of scale can also be seen in the way that McCain and Obama have campaigned.  McCain has lurched from one-liner to one-liner, a campaign of genuinely small-minded tactics.  Obama begins today what he calls his closing argument -- imagine, a politics of  arguments! -- which shows that what tactics he's employed have been part of an overarching strategy. 

In the end, McCain looks like the dwarf and Obama the giant.  It's becoming clear to more and more people which figure and give us the change we need.  I predict an landslide -- 350 electoral votes.