Started out with some observations on McCain and his erratic behavior and mean-spirited campaign, but scrubbed them. The lack of honor and honesty and steadiness he has shown over the past month has essentially made he and his ticket superfluous in this election cycle and there's really nothing he can say or do in the debate that I will find credible. I applaud Senator Obama's overall response to the serious financial crisis our nation continues to face. And he has put forth an impressive plan for addressing job creation and providing hope and relief to small businesses and middle class voters. As he prepares to transition into the Presidency, now and in the coming months, the one thing that has been lacking is being completely and painfully honest with the American people in terms of how we got here and what it will take to right ourselves. Everyone is aware of the excesses of Wall Street and the absence of viable regulation and its impact on the economy. But we as citizens also played our part. We overspent and under-saved and failed at managing our own budgets and there are actions that we personally need to take as individuals to turn this economy around and it's not going to happen overnight and it's going to be tough and we can do it if we're honest with each other and inspired to make the necessary sacrifices. It's time for the voters to have a dose of reality. We can take it and we'll appreciate the honesty and we stand ready to vote for the change that we all need and, if inspired, prepared to do our part to make that change happen.

Really don't mean to leave out Limbaugh, Hewitt, Levin and the rest of that noisy right wing crowd, but I've had more exposure to Hannity via his talk radio and tv shows. I tune into his radio show for an hour or so so 3-4 times a week on my commute home from work. Not because I agree with hardly any of his views, but rather just to check out the daily buzz and the corresponding Republican talking points which Hannity faithfully recites. His callers routinely greet him as a "great American". And while I do not question his patriotism (as he does in response to anyone who disagrees with him or dares to engage in democratic debate) and I am sure that he is a good father, spouse, son and friend, from my vantage point, he's a pretty lousy American. You have to ask yourself if Hannity truly loves this country then why has he devoted his life to dividing it's citizens along political and cultural lines. And I guess one answer is that it's made him filthy rich. He and Limbaugh and their ilk have built multi-million dollar empires based on the politics of division. Little wonder that Senator Obama and his campaign for change and a return to civil and bipartisan politics have engendered such a ferocious and vile response from Hannity and the hate-mongers. If Obama and his supporters were to achieve their vision of a united America where politicians and citizens worked across party and cultural lines to address the serious challenges this country faces they'd be out of a job. And wouldn't that be a loss [sic].....[Update 9/20/08....kudos to Hannity on the recent Palin infomercial he put together....thinking there might be a career opportunity in that genre if his day job ever tanks]

My son, who missed the debate due to a scheduling conflict, asked me what Senator Obama's response was to being referred to as "that one". I can't imagine that in his gut Senator Obama did not have the urge to take McCain out back and open up a can of South Chicago whup a__ on him. But once again he prevailed with his calm, confident, knowledgeable and Presidential demeanor. Senator Obama outshone his opponent by effectively addressing the real issues that concern the middle class. It's become even more apparent that McCain will do and say anything to win, honor be damned. If he and his surrogates continue their current fierce campaign of fear and smear politics, I feel it will be entirely appropriate and relevant for Senator Obama in his final debate closing remarks to address Senator McCain as follows, "John we've worked together in the past and I have hope that with the healing that comes with the passing of time, we will be able to work together during my administration, but, right here, right now, I have to tell you that I am genuinely embarrassed for you. I've meant it when I've honored your service and expressed my admiration for the courage you displayed in captivity, but you have besmirched your name and your honor by running the most vile and mean-spirited campaign this country has witnessed in modern times. And so tonight all I can really bring myself to share with you is shame on you, John McCain, shame on you.
And I can't close without expressing my pleasure with the whupping Obama's communications director put on Sean Inanity....hey Sean is that infomercial career I suggested in a recent post re your Palin "interview"looking a bit more attractive?