When it comes to leadership, this week proved we are living in a moment of mediocrities -- a long moment. Sarah Palin, wearing her ignorance like a beauty pageant tiara, was "annoyed" that she was asked actual questions by Katie Couric. George Bush looked the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression square in the eye...and threw up his hands. Congress stepped into the leadership void and promptly created another one. And the less said about Alberto Gonzales' week, the better. Desperate times cry out for exceptional leaders. It's not a matter of stratospheric SAT scores or Mensa-level IQs. What we need is the one thing in short supply: wisdom. It's in our DNA to fear the evil genius. But we still have to be trained to recognize the dangers of the clueless mediocrity.
For those of you in the Pennsylvania area, on Monday I'll be debating Mike Huckabee in Hershey. For more information, click here.
I've spent 35 years writing about America, its people, and the meaning of the American Promise. I want that dream back, I want my America back, I want my country back. Now is the time to stand with Barack Obama.
CNN had a graph running along the bottom of the screen during the debate, allegedly representing the moment-by-moment feelings of a group of independent voters. This is no way to watch a debate.
Despite his clear ability to energize and haul in buckets of cash, there continue to be elements to Obama's campaign which are troublesome harbingers of what kind of president he could be.
Sarah Palin has experience being a runner-up -- which will come in handy in November. Tonight she barely kept up. By any rational assessment, Palin wasn't up to the job.
After watching the debate, I am convinced that if the country somehow has a collective mental meltdown and elects Sarah Palin, she will be even more dangerous than Cheney.
If you give them the $700 billion, make them issue stock. Make every recipient of the bailout issue stock in return for our "investment." Make them sell a stake in their companies.
Palin appeared to lack any semblance of the requisite depth, knowledge, or sense of history we should expect in a president or vice president. As a Republican former White House chief of staff said to me, "Palin is evidence of desperation; she is an embarrassment."
The Republicans take every opportunity to shift the political conversation from substance to frivolity. They don't want the public to see the huge differences between the two parties.
Not only do I want to grab a beer with Biden but I might even have three or four and maybe some onion rings. He was masterful tonight.
I, for one, am terrified that all the "soccer moms" and the "Joe six-packs" will fall for the likable candidate as being qualified to lead our country. I don't want someone who is likable.
Tonight, Joe Biden showed why he is the right person for that job. On question after question, he demonstrated knowledge, careful thought, and a willingness to make hard decisions.
The moment when Biden talked about the death of his wife and child, and raising his sons himself was tremendously moving and genuine. It was a bold -- and very relevant -- point to make.
