I had my eye on Barack Obama 4 years ago. I liked his speech at the Democratic campaign back then…loved the inclusive approach. And I thought at the time…and said to several people in the years since…”I wonder if this guy could really be a ‘change agent’. He’s very appealing. Likeable, articulate, multi-racial…there’s a lot to like there.” And, when he emerged fairly early in this current campaign (yes, this interminable two-year beast we call a Presidential campaign), I listened a lot…and kept a fairly open mind until well into the summer of ’08.

But, it was at that point that I started asking myself questions. Not that I’m all that brilliant. Many of the questions were framed by others…pundits and “reg’lar people” both…about whether there was any “there” there. I’m skeptical (but not especially cynical) by nature. I do question everything I hear. I’m employed in the advertising field, and I’m used to watching and listening to words that SEEM to say something, but really mean nothing. At least, nothing that would hold up in a court of law. Nothing real…nothing you could actually put your foot on and find your weight supported.

Finally, over the last month and a half, I’ve come to a firm conclusion. Allow me to share about what I’ve come to believe. First, overall:

• I think, to a large degree, both the major-party candidates in this election are “owned” by monied interests. While the Presidency is an important office, it’s not THAT powerful. The President can articulate an agenda, and can work with or create trouble for the Congress. But the President doesn’t even come CLOSE to running the country by himself.
• I think both candidates have significantly stretched the truth in caricaturing each other for purposes of making themselves seem like the better candidate. In fact, both of them have gone beyond that, andtold outright lies. No excuses. That’s just the facts as I see them. Advantage: No One (certainly not the truth)
• I don’t believe that one candidate is necessarily a better man than the other. I tremendously admire John McCain’s military service and his display of character in staying behind when he was offered the chance to leave early based on who his father was. On the other hand, I despise the way he handled his first marriage. I believe Barack Obama has told out-and-out lies about his past, especially about some of his core personal beliefs (at least, what they once were), including his background at Jeremiah Wright’s church, and some of his other associations. His claims to the contrary remind me of Bart Simpson: “I didn’t do it…nobody saw me do it…you can’t prove anything.” My BS detector starts clicking wildly with some of his claims.

So far, no clear winner.

Now, I’ll say what concerns me most about Barack Obama:

I don’t really know anything about him. I know what he says. He has a “well-crafted” life story, but I don’t know who he is. Why? Because he has no track record to speak of. Unfortunately, powerful people saw him…just as I did…at that Democratic convention, and they decided that he would be put up for President…in my view, way too early. But what does he stand for? He TALKS ABOUT unity, post-partisanship and healing. But he always votes on the far left. He TALKS ABOUT peace and working as one, but then wants to take from the rich and give to those who have less (financially speaking, his attacks on Bush are all about those evil “tax breaks for the rich”). At worst, that’s class warfare. At best, it’s a self-defeating philosophy. Obama himself may or may not qualify as rich, but he has a lot of friends and fellow leaders that are. And he’s being downright disingenuous if he says that rich people aren’t going to go hide their money elsewhere (i.e., this great funding source that he wants to tap will not lay down and consent to the rape…it will flee the country and even go underground in the interests of self-preservation), and if he believes that de-incentivizing the creation of wealth through risk-taking isn’t going to drive away the very attitude that’s made America a great country and led to the great wealth that we enjoy today.

As a final buttonhole on this point, I’m going to insert an excerpt from a recent edition of The Brian Lehrer Show, on WNYC in New York (which I listen to daily). This is from Brian’s conversation with New York Times columnists David Brooks (leans right) and Gail Collins (leans left), who also have a blog on the NYT website where they discuss the current campaign and election. A caller asked Brooks to explain the strong personal disdain between McCain and Obama, and what Republicans Obama might get along with. I don’t particularly care about the relationship between McCain and Obama, but I found the explanation informative…especially as it underscores the “empty suit” concerns I have about Obama:

David Brooks: “…I’ve said a lot of nice things about Obama in my column and everywhere else, so…what’s about to follow is not going to be nice, but put it in context. Obama was a mediocre Senator…and senators regard each other by how many tough votes they take and how hard the work is. And I think it’s very hard to find a Republican (maybe one or two I can think of…) who has anything nice to say about Obama. And that came from, I think primarily, immigration reform…which was the one tough thing the Senate was undertaking while he was there and paying attention. And the charge (and the Washington Post had a big story on this)…McCain and Kennedy were working on the immigration bill, and Obama was supposed to be taking part in the negotiations to get that bill put together. And the charge is that he “parachuted in”…tried to reopen issues that had already been settled by the people who were actually doing the negotiation, and then showed up at the press conference. And so senators on the Republican side have very warm feelings toward Hillary Clinton because she actually does the work and takes part in the negotiations. And they have very dour feelings about Obama because they think he’s a “show horse”. And another Washington Post piece last Friday is worth looking at on the web on the strategic plan Obama created when he entered the Senate. And it was pretty clear from that plan that he was not interested in the Senate…wanted to move up either to be governor of Illinois or to be President…and so used the Senate as a stepping stone, and I think that rubbed a lot of Republicans the wrong way.”

You can listen to the entire interview here: http://www.wnyc.org/shows/bl/episodes/2008/10/27/segments/113614

More on Obama: I’m sorry, but I’m not looking for a tax break. I wish taxes were lower…but, mostly, I’d rather the government just spend the money better and quit asking for more. I don’t mind paying to live in this country. In Biden’s defense, I DO think it’s a patriotic act to pay your taxes. But if he said it would be patriotic to pay more… well, that’s where I get off the boat. They’re taking plenty already. And I make a LOT less than 250K (so I ought to want Obama, right?). To go further, I think CEO salaries are completely out-of-whack, and should be tied to performance. And I’d like to see some health-care solutions, and only the government is big enough to FORCE that to happen. Honestly, at least at first blush, Obama’s health-care plan strikes me as more appealing than McCain’s. But I don’t want the government making my health-care decisions. I would rather they use their strength to help negotiate better drug costs and availability…and make some sort of health-care option available for those who are uninsured (not paid for…just available and fairly affordable). And then, get out of the way.

I don’t believe America is perfect. I’m not an America-worshiper, like some. On the other hand, I am an American…and I want our country to do well. Yes, I want us to behave as good citizens of the world. The world is not the same as it was before the internet. On the other hand, I don’t want 50 percent or more of my income to be absorbed by a government that clearly has no understanding of how to use it effectively to be spent on my behalf. I’m not saying that Obama wants that much of my money…but, frankly, I don’t know (yet) that he’s a man of his word. And I REALLY don’t trust the leaders of the House and Senate…two of the most arrogant, destructive people I’ve ever heard. Is “the Peacemaker” really going to keep them in their place, or are we going to stifle debate in this country…raise taxes…defang the military (again) and all the rest of their lovely promises? Who’s to stop them if they end up with a super-majority?

I try to take Obama mostly at his word. However, even as tight-lipped as he’s been over the years, he has let enough slip for me to know that he wants to pursue economic “justice” or “fairness”. What exactly does that mean? I’m pretty sure it means something I don’t support.

American has a proud tradition of personal philanthophy. America has a strong network of churches that work for the less fortunate. But we CANNOT take responsibility for every hard-luck case. I am not a government “basher”…but the government has proven time and again that it doesn’t do especially well at separating the legitimately needy from the pretenders and the unmotivated.

I prefer giving money to those who are closer to where the money goes…those who can hold the recipients to some account, and can take the money elsewhere if it’s not being used wisely. Does government have a legitimate function in this regard? Of course. But the government is not our parent. And it’s not our nursemaid. And we hand it that role at our own peril.

Additionally, Obama lied about campaign finance reform. He took a pledge, and when it didn’t suit his purposes, he simply talked his way out of it. Sorry, but that means something to me. Worse yet, he’s set up semi-anonymous funding mechanisms online (as everyone knows, it takes zero skill to make up a name or an email address), rather than subject himself to close scrutiny. In this way, I believe he’s not only broken a promise, but completely shattered the entire intent of bringing accountability to political financing.

And finally, I’ve been deeply troubled by the Obama campaign’s inability to handle tough questions. In the past week or two, it’s been reported that they have BANNED two TV stations from further interviews because of “unprofessional” interviewing standards. I watched the Barbara West interview. I didn’t think she was unreasonable at all. And I thought her questions to John McCain were easily as tough. The campaign is also reported to have gone after a Chicago radio station who had interviewed a harsh Obama critic (admittedly, I have not tried to check out this story at all) and for some reason, “Joe The Plumber” (who asked Obama exactly ONE tough question in his front yard) was investigated by someone using government resources. If it turns out that “someone” was the McCain campaign (anything is possible), then I’ll eat my words on this example. Til then, it seems more an example of the way the Obama campaign has been conducting itself. Bottom line: I really liked a line from Dennis Miller on this subject (again, paraphrasing): “For me, the problem with Obama isn’t the COLOR of his skin, but rather the thin-ness of it.” I just haven’t seen courage from this guy…real toughness, time-testedness…who is he and why does he deserve to be President? I’m just not seeing it. Maybe it’s because I have hopes for better leadership in this country, but little in the way of expectations. And I’m not about to believe somebody just because he talks a good game or knows how to keep a calm demeanor.

So, Obama has some strikes against him. Now, what’s he got going for him? Of course, he’s bright, articulate, attractive…and he’s amassed a huge chunk of goodwill from his supporters. Personally, I’m a BIG believer in the bully pulpit (I hope I’m using the term correctly….I’m using it as I’ve heard it used over the years). I don’t hate George Bush, but to me, this has been one of his greatest failings. Other than in the immediate aftermath of 9/11, he has completely FAILED to lay out a definitive position on much of anything…and then to openly, honestly, personally present it to the country in a way that build unity and support. I’m not even going to talk about the war (what a massively divisive issue!). I’m just talking in general. Bush 43 has ended up much as his father did: he appears to be aloof to a point of being almost out-of-touch with reality. And I would LOVE to have a President who knew how to communicate…how to rise above partisan rancor…how to help us find what’s best in ourselves as a country and what we can agree on. While I’m moderately conservative, I despise people who divide us, especially for personal profit: Sean Hannity, Ann Coulter and many others. Some are mostly entertainers…but other have actually seem to have bought into their own BS. Either way, it’s very destructive. We need more mutual respect and real relationships, not caricatures. On this score, Obama earns many points. He has a lot of potential as a “bring-together-er” (sorry, I know that was painful).

Enough about Obama for now. Allow me to share my thoughts about John McCain:

Here’s the biggest thing about John McCain, for me. He’s a known quantity, and a quantity I generally like. He’s been around for awhile. I have always enjoyed hearing him interviewed. I like the fact that he’s not extreme. Never has been. He’s been painted as “Bush lite”. That’s not fair. He’s a Republican and somewhat conservative. Of course, he often votes with his party…what would be the point of being a Republican if he didn’t? But voting mostly with your party is a pretty lame reason to bash someone. He’s never been given to extremes (which is why the hard-core conservatives never really liked him)…and that’s why so many moderates found him appealing. Yes, it’s true…he’s trying to get elected, and he’s shifted to the right somewhat for now to appeal to an audience he hoped would be large enough to get him into office…but, at his core, he’s more moderate. He doesn’t have some hidden agenda. And while the word “maverick” has gotten way overused, it’s also fairly descriptive. He’s been a pain in the ass for Bush and other Republican leaders time and again. Anyone who doesn’t know this simply hasn’t been paying attention. And he was practically a lone voice in the wilderness crying for more troops and a more cohesive plan in Iraq…to get rid of Rumsfeld and for the surge. In terms of bipartisanship, he’s DONE exactly what people say they want done. He’s worked with Russ Feingold and Ted Kennedy and others that hard-core conservatives love to “hate”…to get legislation enacted that he felt was for the good of the country. It’s no exaggeration to say that he’s the most well-known “across the aisle” guy out there for many years. I think that counts for a lot. It’s called a track record. He’s pro-growth, pro-America and pro-life.

On the pro-life issue: While I am personally pro-life in sentiment, I have NEVER wanted to see expectant mothers in distressed situations jailed. I happen to agree with Rush Limbaugh on this point…and to his credit, he said this many, many years ago (I’m paraphrasing): “Abortion is not primarily a political issue…it’s a matter of the heart.” I may feel strongly about it personally, but unless I have a personal relationship with a woman that allows me to speak to her particular situation and I have some reason to believe that she’d even care about my opinion, there’s not much I can do about it. I am not planning to work to codify a pro-life position into law. I believe in God, and I believe he’s in a much better position to deal with this situation than I am. Others may differ, and my position may change somewhat over time. But I have believed for many years that there were issues that were more important than abortion, although I do believe strongly in the value of human life. I do NOT accept the proposition that pro-life equates to anti-woman or anti-choice. There are some things that people will simply never agree on. This is probably one of those. But I don’t demonize choice advocates. I hope they don’t do the same to me. And I would much prefer to focus on what’s common between us…such as preventing unwanted pregnancies where possible. There’s plenty of venom and ignorance on both sides of the aisle on this issue. I prefer to see (and highlight) the best in people, where possible.

Back to John McCain: I heard someone say the other day that McCain had been “buttoned up” by his advisors pretty much this whole campaign. He’s been very reserved. I’ve seen him interviewed scores of times over the years. He’s bright and funny and likeable. Not so much lately. But I think he has the ability to communicate with a lot of people, and to be persuasive. He’s not a great speechmaker or script-reader…and he probably doesn’t have Obama’s potential here. But I think, without all the crap that comes with campaiging, he’d perform better than we’ve seen lately.

Isn’t it interesting that the debate this year was NEVER about how qualified Obama was as compared to McCain? Instead, Obama’s campaign and his supporters have spent untold energy comparing Obama to Sarah Palin. Good God, that’s lame. Yes, John is OLD, relatively speaking. But I’ve been watching…every debate, and a lot more. I’ve also spent a lot of time around the elderly. McCain seems very much “of mind” to me. Bright-eyed and engaged. I’m voting for President, not the VP spot. You can say all you want that John McCain will probably die of old age and skin cancer in the next four years, but he’s been completely indefatiguable during this campaign. Many much-younger men would have been crushed by the stress of such a load. It’s also true that Obama could die of colon cancer or whatever. Life is fragile, people. I think it’s an issue worth discussing…but let’s quit pretending that we know the future and “that settles it”.

But, since this subject has arisen, let’s talk honestly about Palin and Biden, shall we?

I can understand that a lot of people are turned off by Sarah Palin (I can also understand that a lot of guys are turned on by Sarah Palin). But what exactly is it that has people reacting to her so strongly? Clearly, she is a bright, engaged woman. She’s accomplished a lot in her 44 years. It’s been a long time since my state had a governor in his 40s (although I know this isn’t the case elsewhere…you go, Louisiana!). But, yes…she’s a “true” conservative. Certainly moreso than McCain. I wouldn’t label her a hard-core “neocon”. She’s been engaged on the environment, she’s not anti-gay (only anti-gay marriage), she doesn’t show many of the signs of the “we wanna run your lives according to our rules” thing over which people love to bash conservatives. Do we really know where she stands on a variety of issues? No, because she’s running for VICE President, and her job is to support McCain’s positions…which she’s done quite well overall. No, she wasn’t too smooth with Charlie or Katie. But, again speaking HONESTLY, she was much better than most thought she’d be in the debate. Certainly enough to compensate for a couple bad interviews. But, rather than “Borking” her as so many have…let’s be honest about something else. Is she as sophisticated as most of our leading politicians? Maybe…it’s been very hard to tell with all the polarized media coverage on both sides. I do find it a bit hard to imagine her eating foo-foo cuisine at all the D.C. soirees. Does she sound like she’s from somewhere other than the Northeast or the South? Sure she does. Personally, I’ve always had a hard time listening to people from New Yawk and BAH-stuhn. But I’ve had to get over it. We’re addressing issues of style here, not substance. I understand that she’s pro-life, and that scares the hell out of feminists. But that doesn’t excuse the way she’s been treated in this campaign. Sarah Palin is an accomplished, above-average American woman. I suspect she’d do just fine as President. I’m certainly not SCARED of her. And it’s pretty laughable to me that so many have bought into this caricature. Finally, it’s true…her state has a LOT of oil money (and she therefore had very diffferent challenges than many other governors…and maybe an easier time in some ways). And in that regard, we don’t know how she’d do running a country that’s deeply in debt. But do we know that about Biden…Obama…McCain? I understand the observations. But is anyone even ASKING these questions? She doesn’t have McCain’s track record on defense or foreign relations…but then again, neither does Obama. Sometimes people are put into tough situations…and if they are quality people, sometimes they do just fine.

About Joe Biden. I’ve always found the guy likeable. And, had you asked me 3 months ago, I would have said that I felt he was significantly more qualified than Obama to be President. I was aware of his plagiarism scandal years ago, and even assuming he was pretty guilty as charged, it seemed like ancient history. And it seems like he’s fairly frequently involved in the goings-on of the Senate…again, a track record I can at least understand. However, the guy has also seemed about half-unhinged during this campaign. I’m not just talking about the little things. He seems amazingly full of himself and almost completely out of control at moments, and he’s become harder and harder to take seriously the more he talks. I don’t know how I’d compare him with Palin, exactly…but I’d certainly be no less concerned about him assuming the Presidency than I would her. And, OH NO…he’s OLD. He could die!! Sorry…I couldn’t resist.

I hate cutesy terms, but call them what you will (mainstream, drive-by, liberal, etc), the major media in this country has spent little time helping us get any real handle on the candidates this year. Will someone PLEASE acknowledge that the media has completely failed us, and has instead just fallen in love with Barack Obama? Puff pieces on his “lovely family” by Access Hollywood, no less? People, the media has become a PR agency instead of a legitimate watchdog. We’d have learned WAY MORE if someone had just put John and Barack in a room and turned on a camera and left for a couple hours. And done that a half-dozen times over the past couple months. The media (more specifically, the FACES on TV) are more concerned about their hairstyles and wardrobe and consulting contracts and book contracts and state dinners and where their next meal is coming from. And this goes for a lot of people whose words and wisdom I have admired at different times. I guess that’s just the reality of the media these days. It’s a shame…and it does NOT serve us well.

Bottom line: I don’t love Hillary Clinton, but I would certainly have felt she was way more qualified than Barack Obama. I am not ready to entrust the Presidency to someone who has no major accomplishments in his life (other than a successful run for President). Barack Obama should spend some time actually doing something, instead of talking. Hang out in the Senate for a few years…work across the aisle. Show me that there’s more to you than just talk. Despite the fact that her husband and she were extremely polarizing figures when they were in the White House, Hillary has gained a good deal of grudging admiration from her detractors for pursuing exactly this path. Yes, her campaign was arrogant and she blew it. But we could have had some pretty good arguments about qualifications (not to mention full-on policy and philosophical debates) between her and McCain.

Honestly, I think Hillary would at least have had the “stones” to stand up to Reid and Pelosi. Landslide or not, I don’t know that Obama would or could do that. Frankly, that scares me a lot more than the “threat” of Palin as President or John McCain’s reputed temper or just about anything else. Nancy Pelosi is a pure political opportunist (and a fairly deluded one), in my view. And I find Harry Reid to be…well, unimpressive, to say the very least.

Look, there’s plenty of ignorance and intolerance in the world. On both sides of the political debate. And I believe there are many larger issues in life than who is elected President. If Obama is elected (as most polls indicate he will be), he’ll be MY President. I’m not a “hater” like those who waste their time seething at Bush. I want the next President to do well for the country, and I will support him as much as I can and (gasp!) pray for him. Because he’ll be OUR President.

But to me, there’s no comparison between Obama’s record and McCain’s record. I trust John McCain…and that’s why he’s getting my vote.

And, surprisingly, no one has make my point as succinctly as Michelle Obama herself (admittedly, in 2004…but I feel it still applies today):

This is just my two cents’ worth. I don’t claim to be the font of all wisdom. I understand that reasonable people will disagree. Your comments are welcome below. But, please be constructive and somewhat respectful. I’m not interested in being bashed just because you’re bored and can’t find anything better to do…and it’s still MY finger on the Delete button.