The point about bonhomie is, of course, absolutely correct. However, I’m not sure that McCain has a wealth of it, either. Certainly I don’t see him winning that “who would you rather have a beer with?” type of question over Obama by the same kind of margin (if at all) that Bush II did over Gore. In the bonhomie category, McCain is closer to Dole or Mondale than Bush II or Clinton.

Happily, I don’t think that it’s true.

In a post-Iraq and Katrina world, a world in which people have serious day-to-day economic concerns, cheerful incompetence is just not the winning strategy is was eight years ago.

As far as the expense of Obama’s proposals, he’s certainly not proposing anything as ruinous and counterproductive as an indefinite occupation of Iraq. And he’s proposing not to extend all of the Bush tax reductions. Those two positions, in addition to being responsible, poll pretty well, as does health care reform. His foreign policy is certainly no more risky than McCain’s invasion fetishism.

I didn’t think it was implausible to predict that the Giants would beat the Patriots; nor do I think it’s implausible that McCain could beat Obama. But I am unpersuaded by the expense/affability/experience argument as to why he will win.

I wish that I did not have to pick between these two people, but if I do I will not vote for McCain. Neither will my wife (her decision, not mine).

I will not give Bill Krystol the satisfaction of having four more years of influence in DC. There is no group so singularly dangerous to the US and the world as these psychopathic group of con men.

When the Republicans nominated McCain it became crystal clear to me that they had gone insane. They had boxed themselves into a corner.

Democrats are not capable of the kind of destruction the neocons commit on a monthly basis – they just can’t think that big. Few can, as their moral compass prevents them from doing so.

He speaks of environmental reform, more sustainable energy, CAFE standards, returning the stolen college aid, reducing the costs of health care and ethics reform to end the Abramoff/Enron era of buying policy. He seems far more concerned with how to pay for all this then any President who allowedthe deficit to rise.

Obama has received almost twice the total votes of McCain so far, drawn huge swaths of independents and the surging numbers of first-time voters. He beats McCain by five points in head-to-head polls and you’ve seen the stadium crowds. I think a majority of Americans just want higher ethics standards today and feel they will get this from the new guy who hasn’t been wrapped in scandals for the last twenty years….