Why is he fondling his Sharpie?

This past Wednesday evening, the last of three presidential debates was held at Hofstra University. The first debate was the stand-at-your-respective podium kind. The second was a snoozer Town Hall format with an audience of mostly corpse-like individuals. The third with the venerable Bob Schieffer as moderator had the two candidates sitting at a semi-circular desk within swiping distance of one another. The focus was on domestic issues—how could it not be with the economy in a regular nose-dive—and the at-home audience saw the candidates on a split-screen. This format was particularly interesting because not only could you watch the guy who was responding but you could see the other guy too listening and developing a whiz-bang rebuttal.

I want to start by saying that I am clearly biased. That said, in most of his answers, Obama sounded cogent and thoughtful—some might say downright “sincere;" in listening mode, he looked like an absolute statesman with the exception of the few times when McCain’s response brought out a giggle or a shit-eating grin. In responding to Schieffer, McCain sounded ancient, insincere, and too folksy for this particular election. The constant referral to "Joe-the-Plumber" and to Sarah Palin’s disabled child turned my stomach: yes, I feel for the plumber, but, why shouldn’t he should pay his taxes, and, yes, I feel for Palin, but it does not appear that caring for her child over time will cause undue hardship for her or her family.

In listening mode, McCain looked positively insane. Cranky as hell. It appeared that the only way to control himself from reaching across the table and ripping Obama’s head off was to grip his Sharpie and fondle it somewhat lovingly. He looked scary. He did not look like a diplomatic man or one who could be trusted to keep us out of another meaningless war. He looked desperate, like he’s fighting a losing battle. How dare he say that his running mate is a good role model for women! With all due respect, I believe he’s losing a grip on reality.

Accompanied by three friends, I watched the debate at The Purple Onion on Columbus Street. It’s a comedy club so the audience felt free lobbing funny comments at the big screen. I particularly liked how at the beginning of the debate when McCain referred to Nancy Reagan being sick—hasn’t she always been unwell?—several members of the audience raised their glasses and shouted “Here’s to the Reagan’s!” Total irreverence is always a good thing when talking about the two of them.

The debate did not appear to lift McCain from the hole he’s dug for himself and most polls this week show Obama way ahead, in some cases, by double digits! I never thought it would be possible but we may finally get rid of the Evil Empire (us, not them!) and the country can attempt to recover from eight years to horrific governing.