Debate Day

Tonight Barack Obama and John McCain will engage in their second of three debates. It will be a townhall style debate, which everyone says should benefit John McCain. That may be, but remember that these aren't hand picked supporters like most of his town halls. These are supposedly undecided voters. This is the voter that wants to hear what the candidates have to say about the economy, about health care, jobs, their retirements. They've already heard about Obama's pastor and McCain's connections to Charles Keating. My sense they're willing to forgive past alliances, if they believe that one candidate or the other not only understands but is willing to make the necessary changes to get the nation moving forward again.

My sense is that McCain needs this more. A strong, calm performance by Obama would simply cement his increasing lead. McCain, on the other hand, needs a game changer. He's failed to get that so far. Right now he's digging deep into the mud to cast a cloud over Obama's character. Yes, Obama is running negative ads, but no where near the number of McCain, who has gone totally negative. His running mate has thrown the gloves off and is questioning not only Obama's fitness to lead, but his patriotism. She wants us to think that Obama is unAmerican and not like us good Americans -- because he hangs around with "terrorists." We've heard all of this before, of course. Now, much of this is rooted in McCain-Palin's sinking poll numbers. This is really all they have left.

So, the question now is how will McCain respond tonight. He's taken on the persona of the angry populist. The world has gone to hell and he's not going to take it anymore. The question is: even if America is angry right now, does it want an angry president? Or, is it seeking a calm presence in the midst of strife? That is one of those questions that floats above us, keeping us wondering. So far, they've rewarded Obama for his calmness. Tonight might be the point at which things either cement for Obama or lift McCain to new heights. We'll see!