Guitar Hero or Rock Star: The Candidates' Version

The great debate is on. I was no where near being in the money in my GOP vice-presidential nominees. I, along with millions of other Americans, said, "Who?" when her name was being bantered about prior to the official announcement. Then I heard her speak at the nomination announcement and along with millions more, said, "Wow!" I really don't know much about her policies besides what has been written by the medial or has been presented by some of the "talking heads" but I couldn't help but be impressed by the strength of her speech. I know that a speech does not make a candidate, but no one can deny that eloquence of speech has not helped Obama. There is always more to a candidate than their comfort behind a microphone or in front of an audience. Of course, there is often less than meet's the eye as well once the teleprompter is no longer on.

There are those that can make a book come alive with the spoken word, but who cannot utter an intelligent thought on their own. There are others that are better when thinking on their feet or persuading people to believe in them or their ideals. Much in this way the two party's tickets are much alike, though in reverse order. Senator Obama's speaking ability is a given, when he is reading from a prepared text, so far, Governor Palin has proven just as adept in this format. If you've ever had the chance to see John McCain in an informal setting, he can be charming and disarmingly humorous and a quick thinker. Joe Biden, while long-winded and often evasive with his rhetoric, nonetheless, does better in a debate-style setting, than in front of a group of people. Witness the dryness of McCain's and Biden's speeches at the RNC and DNC respectively. Palin and Obama each drew around 40 million viewers for their speeches and clearly stirred up their respective audiences and core constituents.

How will all of this play out on the national stage? What will the debates prove? None of the candidates have been specific about policies. None of them have done much more than tout promises that will be all but impossible to implement or to pay for. None of them have the ability to circumvent a congress that is hellbent on maintaining their levels of power at whatever cost to the American public and Jill or John Q. Taxpayer.

All of the "I wills" in the world do not translate into effective action. None of the "crossing the aisles" will amount to anything if the other party is not willing to sacrifice or commit themselves to a global vision of a nation in need of healing. The infomecials known as the conventions are good show, but lacking in substance. Gentlemen and lady, state your positions!