John, I am your father...

The video below is a snippet of a presidential debate from 16 years ago. The exact date was October 15, 1992. The candidates participating in this debate were George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Ross Perot (remember him?). This scene is often identified as Bill Clinton's debate "moment."


I was 29 years old during that election and was attending graduate school. When I look back, I can't believe how politically unaware and ignorant I was. Just to note - my ignorance and unawareness wasn't just limited to politics. When Clinton won office, I remember thinking that it was "cool," because he was young and liked Fleetwood Mac music. At that time I remember feeling that it really did not matter who was in office as president; that things would probably "run the same no matter what." You know, that the president was sort of a figure head, like England's royalty. These last eight years with George W. Bush have definitely wiped that thought from my head.

I remember how I felt in 1992, but I can't say that I recall the stark differences between Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush. While watching the clip above, I was startled by Bush's inability to relate to the person in the audience, as well as his facial expressions indicating his total lack of awareness. He seemed genuinely annoyed and offended that someone would dare question his empathy. It also amazed me as to how Clinton's statement about the economy could relate to today. George W. Bush has taken his father's trickle down approach to the economy and run with it. At this point, there is not even a "trickle" left for the majority of us.

Tonight's debate between Obama and McCain is also a town hall format. The debate comes during a time in which Obama is definitely "up in the numbers," with much mud-slinging taking place over the past week. Issues that have arisen - not accidently - include: The Keating Five, Bill Ayers, Reverend Wright, trustworthiness, and patriotism (to name a few). It will be interesting to see the approach that the candidates take, particularily McCain, in this debate. It is tough to throw mud when in such close proximity to an audience (unless you are Gallagher).

Obama has been able to remain cool and calm, especially when others around him seem to be the most volatile. I imagine that won't change this evening. I don't believe that McCain shares George H.W. Bush's pomposity or lack of empathy. Most likely, McCain will direct his statements and responses to the audience, with whom he seems to feel the most comfortable. John McCain's uncomfortableness will most likely be evident in his interactions, or lack there of, with being "up close and personal" to Barack Obama. McCain seems like a man who has a hard time hiding his feelings, possibly making him a good guy to play poker with. But, like Bush, McCain does seem out of touch. It may not be coming from the same "dark place," but something is definitely missing.

Perhaps John McCain is like a Luke Skywalker. In this case, a Luke Skywalker who did make the soul-selling decision to embrace the "dark side" when the offer was made by Darth Vader. Darth Vader could be Rush Limbaugh...or maybe Karl Rove. Either would suffice. Perhaps if McCain had a Yoda in his life, he would have chosen his real "Hans Solo" - John Leiberman - and not be hanging around with Sarah Palin.