She is terrible.  I can't stand the focus group segments.  She actually has a small business owner in the group, and all she can say is that everyone else in the focus group didn't like Joe the plumber as much as she did.  Ask her some questions!  For example, as a small business owner like Joe the F-ing Plumber, which candidate's economic policies resonated more with you?  Why?  Brutal.  Just brutal. 

I just realized it now, after all my obsessing over the coming election: I know why Barack Obama wants to be president, it is so clear watching him debate.  Watching John McCain debate, I'm at a loss.  Why does he want to be president?  There is no clear answer: and that speaks to his floundering, wayward campaign, his erratic responses to issues, and his odd debate performances.  I don't think he knows why.  He has some knowledge, but little purpose.  He has experience, but no wisdom.  Underneath it all, that's "why" McCain will lose and Obama will win.  

A suggestion for McCain tonight: he should bring up Keating Five himself and talk about how it changed him and gave him a new focus in the Senate.  He can turn to Obama and say "You want to talk about change...".  I'm an Obama supporter, but I think his playing the Keating Five card is a strategic blunder.  If I were McCain I would turn the attack on its head.  It would show humility, grace and, yes, a maverick-ness.  I've learned from my mistakes, I've gotten better.  Look what I've accomplished as a result of what I learned, look at my experience, my record, my character.  It would not only enhance McCain, it would also diminish Obama, it would highlight the pettiness of his negative attack.  Or perhaps it's political suicide.  But does McCain have any options left?  Just a thought...