I'll admit it: better than I thought...

I admit it: John McCain did far better in last night's debate than I gave him credit for in a recent post.

It's obvious he has had a long career (never denied this).

It's obvious he understands the complexities of the world (never denied this either).

But it's also obvious he's cranky, sarcastic, dismissive, and completely wrong for the role of POTUS. He wouldn't even look Obama in the eyes. What's that about?

For the last eight years we've had a stuffed shirt in the job: a clueless, fumbling, bumbling, dufuss who seems more content with correctly pronouncing the name of a head of state than with saying anything with any substance. His one "moment" was immediately after 9/11, and he had my respect and admiration, but he then just kept opening his mouth and inserting not just his feet, but the feet of all those around him who had anything to do with the policy BS he was spouting. It's completely clear we need someone in this position who has gravitas, heft, and substance. We don't need a weenie, and the new John McCain is a weenie.

No, I'm not resorting to ad hominems. Look back at my previous posts: I've liked and respected the guy for a long time. But I have to clearly state the problem with the new John McCain.

The old John McCain, the one who stood up to --- but was ultimately savaged and ruined by --- the Rovian Machine in the 2000 campaign was a good man, a straight-talker, and a consistent, steady person for whom I could have voted. But now, he's a pandering, grumpy, rude, mean-spirited, disrespectful, angry curmudgeon who wears his lack of congeniality like a tie, who makes irascibility a point of pride.

He's perfect as senator and, as such, is where he should remain, and you've only to look at the quality of his recent decisions to see he lacks the temperament needed to accede to higher office. His ready-fire-aim style is not the level-headed strategy we need. He should not be given the job of representing the US to the rest of the world.

This isn't the wild west. We've had a clueless cowboy for eight years and look where it got us; therefore, we don't need a maniac maverick (a wanna-be cowboy) for even another eight hours.

This isn't an international pissing contest, John, so put it back in your pants.

DWC...

Driving While Californian (DWC) has set a new standard.

I'm sorry, but people should not have to be told not to be stupid.

GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!!

Sorry to shout, but I've just about had it with John McCain's mealy-mouthed, sanctimonious, self-righteousness. He's postponing his campaign to fly back to Washington to help get the Bush Administration's (or his version of their) proposal for quenching the financial meltdown passed.

Puh-LEASE... spare me. Barney Frank said it best: "It's the longest Hail Mary pass in the history of either football or Marys."

McCain's campaign is foundering and he's trying to force Obama into joining him in Washington when few on the left or the right feel their presence is anything but a distraction.

Admit it, John, you're simply not ready to debate. You breathed a sigh of relief when Obama declined your town hall meeting invitation (a side-show that would have accomplished little), and now that it's time to actually discuss issues that matter --- instead of read what's been written for you --- you're freaked out by it.

Admit it!

All your campaign knows how to do is pose and posture.

Yes, this financial crisis is real and it matters, but there are far better heads tending to it than a guy who said he's not an expert on the economy. Heck, John, your wife runs a business: she has better credentials for helping solve it than you ever will. Besides, you were "the deregulator," so you and your ilk share in the blame for it.

God I hope people in this country don't fall for this stunt, because that's all it is: a craven and transparent head-fake to try to get people's attention off his poor campaign performance and get him into a free photo-op so he can look all presidential.

I really used to think a great deal of you, John, but you've turned into a pandering fool who will say anything to anyone about anything just to get elected.

George F. Will said it quite well: "Under the pressure of the financial crisis, one presidential candidate is behaving like a flustered rookie playing in a league too high. It is not Barack Obama."

This stunt reeks! Please don't fall for it America! Please!