Listen - it seems that McCain and Obama are going out of their way to run a "respectable" campaign while the Clintons are doing anything but run a respectable campaign. According to Politico.com, McCain's campaign manager sent out a mass e-mail to supporters and others asking them to stay on message, talk the approved talking points, and not engage in personal attacks on McCain's opponents.
In case you were wondering, this is more than likely in response to several separate incidents in the past few days where people have dared to mention Barack's middle name, which is Hussein. As for Obama, well, if you can get him to stop talking about "hope" and "change," then maybe he would start throwing a little mud.
Clinton, meanwhile, is pulling out all the stops. I don't think anyone in the Clinton camp will come out and say it, but Geraldine Ferarro said what everyone already knows - Barack Obama is where is primarily because of his race. Can you imagine what would happen if a white Republican said that? Holy crap - Spitzer probably would have gotten a get of a jail free card and not had to resign.
Anyway, the point here is that I (and I think the American public in general) want to see things get dirty and out of hand. I want to see how a candidate will react when someone intentionally tries to push his (or her) buttons. Despite the happiness us normal people get from watching celebrities and the like get knocked down a couple pegs, it's a good way to see if that person can sustain the sort of criticism that goes along with being President. W certainly hasn't enjoyed the respect due The President of the United States during his 8 years, and there's absolutely no reason to expect that whoever wins in November is going to get a free pass once he (or she) is in office.
So, here is a list of questions for each candidate that I think would spcie things up a bit and really show us if the candidate is ready for the merciless satire and criticism that goes along with being the Most Powerful Man (or Woman) in the World:
Hillary Clinton:
1. Please provide the details of the deal you made with the DNC (and the Devil). Specifically, what convinced you to stay with your husband, and do you really think your marriage is a good example for people to follow?
2. Please tell a good ol' southern story using your southern accent. You know, the one you use when talking to black people in a church.
3. Explain, in detail, how pulling our troops out of Iraq within 60 days of taking office will help curb terrorist action against the U.S.
Barack Obama:
1. Why can't people use your middle name? Are you not going to use it when you are sworn into the office?
2. Explain why your wife is proud of her country for the first time in her adult life. Was she not proud of winning the Cold War, the U.S. Constitution in general, the fact that she was able to attend ivy league schools?
3. Please tell me what exactly you plan do to bring about "change" and how does "hope" affect your national security plan.
4. Explain, in detail, how pulling our troops out of Iraq within 60 days of taking office will help curb terrorist action against the U.S.
John McCain
1. Are you crazy?
2. Do you think the bills you have sponsored and positions you have taken truly reflect the conservative movement? Yes, I know you were a Reagan foot soldier. But answer the question.
3. Why can't we drill for oil in Alaska?
I'm sure there's plenty more question out there, but that's all I could come up with on the spot. The Democratic primary process is getting more and more entertaining. I'm actually more interested in that than what John McCain is saying.
Anyway, the week is half over. See everyone tomorrow.
