I remember watching Clinton give speeches as the POTUS and while I found myself agreeing with messages in his speeches, I agreed less with his performance and delivery of those promises. I was nonetheless impressed with his oratory skill. In contrast George W has not impressed me and I have even felt embarrassed by him at times.
I also found Ronald Reagan's speeches to be inspirational and found myself agreeing with him and his actions (most of the time).
So, we now have two candidates for president: One a better orator than the other. One more tested than the other.
The interview of both candidates at Saddleback Church Aug 16, 2008 underscored this point for me. While Obama gives flowery speeches and seems to have a command of the English language, he is an unknown quantity. Some say that is the change Washington needs, but I think a known quantity may be a better choice. Especially, when you know the decision maker can differentiate between what is best for them politically and what is best for the country.
Take the question posed to each about "the most gut-wrenching decision" either of them ever had to make. Admittedly, it is tough to go up against a war hero, but irregardless Obama's answer was not even in the same ball park to McCain's "gut-wrenching decision" made in a North Vietnamese prison camp. http://www.thirty-thousand.org/pages/Saddleback_16AUG2008.htm#decision McCain chose the possibility of death and certainly rough treatment to honor a pledge to America and his buddies. He could have come home and while some may have frowned most would have understood.
I think the interview Rick Warren did of both men was a great start to understanding both of them on issues that count. I don't care too much about whether someone has a particular kind of Christian dogma. What I do care about is whether the President of the United States has faith in a higher power. The stresses of that role are unimaginable and I believe that faith plays a huge role in the President's ability to handle day-to-day decisions. I also care about whether a man has been tested in a life or death situation.
That is when you know a man!
