ummmm, maybe something he put up with 40 years ago somehow qualifies him to be commander in chief and president. while i respect his service and i fly a flag for pow's and mia's, i don't believe that it's a qualification for presidency. he was a maverick 10 years ago, but, today, he's a gwb clone.

He looked energetic, enthusiastic, and fun during the forum. The moderator didn't press him for specific answers or point out when he was off topic entirely (nor did he change his demeanor when Obama made great answers, except, of course, for the one that was positive about Rick Warren), so his series of stories were left as entertaining tales. Granted Warren could have pointed out that McCain's answers weren't about why he was a good candidate, but were instead stories of other people who were cool, but he didn't. The result was that Obama appeared to be waffling, confused, and unable to respond directly, while McCain looked snappy and alert. TV distorts reality and makes everything, even elections, a matter of entertainment. McCain's presentation required no mental effort, was easily digestible, and left one feeling like Johnny Carson had shown up. Many Americans LOVE THAT. Obama forgot he was on TV and provided philosophical, intricate answers. Saying the question of when life begins is "above his pay grade" is both philosophical and correct (not one person knows the answer to that question, belief notwithstanding), but it doesn't play well compared to "At conception." For any debate on TV the average American will remember maybe 20% of what was said. You can best predict who will be labeled the winner by watching without volume. It stinks, but until Americans realize how much it hurts us to elect our leaders based on how they look and act on TV, we will continue to make poor, misguided choices and to find quip filled responses that reflect a child's view of good and evil to be more compelling. As I recall many people were swayed by President Bush's echolalia "Flip-flop" back in 2004. If that isn't a retarded way to decide between candidates, then I don't know what is.

Because they are Republican shills.