Barack Obama is "Leadership" personified.

[jamesatemple]

There were so many points during the first Presidential debate in Mississippi that exemplified Barack Obama's fine character. Other posters have crafted threads that elaborated upon points during the exchange that "struck a chord" with them, significant points of which I was somehow vaguely aware but hadn't formulated into coherent thought.

For me, one point during the debate stood out from the rest. It solidified my opinion of Obama's kindness; his decency; and, foremost, his leadership abilities. Toward the end of the debate, McCain appeared aggravated. He hunched over his podium, repeated the same personal attacks on Obama over and over, blathering generalities about his superior abilities to handle all aspects of the Presidency ~ "I know how to fight this war!", "I can get this economy back on track", etc. I kept thinking, "I never dreamed that a POW could acquire such skills during captivity. I wonder why he hasn't shown them during his long career in Government. Wouldn't it have been better to have stopped the useless, needless war before it started? Before thousands of people had been killed and maimed? Wouldn't it have been better to provide oversight to our financial institutions before they collapsed? How is it that McCain can fix all the problems but not prevent them? Couldn't he provide just one or two specific "planks" of his platform rather than a promise of "a chicken in every pot; five-cent cigars?"

McCain seemed to become belligerent, out of the moment, in a mental war with his opponent, oblivious to Obama, Lehrer, or the audience. Lehrer tried to break into McCain's monologue in order to introduce another topic for discussion. McCain was spewing verbiage promoting his heroic ablilities, unsubstantiated generalities, and dishonest attacks upon Obama. Obama tried to interject a rebuttal to some point but the old man was "zoned" into his rhetoric and either didn't hear Lehrer or Obama or ignored them. Obama dropped his attempt at making his point, waited patiently during McCain's tirade. Lehrer looked at Obama, seeming to state and ask, "He is out of control. What do you want to do?"

Then, it happened: Obama smiled, spoke directly to Lehrer and said something to the effect of "You had another point you wanted to introduce. Let's go ahead and introduce it." All the while, McCain was continuing his rant.

So many things struck me at that very moment. Rather than be aggressive, demand his time to rebut McCain's charges (as Bush did in his time), Obama seemed to resolve himself to the situation, let the old man have his rant, continue to look at him, speak softly to him, call him by his first name as a friend would do, agree with him on non-contentious points, stand tall above the fray.

I was proud of Obama's conduct. It seems to me that he handled himself in a manner which exemplifies leadership...with a big helping of decency.

[Beregond2]

1. It's called "class." The kind you are born with,

not the kind you try to marry into.

[BanzaiBonnie]

2. This is beautiful

Thank you.

I agree with you. The humanity and kindness that Barack shows, shines forth from his character in everything he does. Yet, I have no doubt that when the moment called for a hard hand he would have no trouble with that either. But he would never be disrespectful in any of his dealings. And that's what we need in a world class leader.

[jamesatemple]

4. You are most welcome, Bonnie!

I'm pleased to know that the "B's" are responsive this morning. Beregond2, you (BanzaiBonnie), and BerryBush have made responses to my thread. I thank you for doing so. Fifty-nine views, three responses, and two recommendations!

I don't think that there will ever be a time when lauding the positive points of one's candidate will elicit the responses and recommendations garnered by nasty attacks upon an opposing candidate. The threads about Sarah Palin's "performance" during the vice-presidential debate have engendered a huge number of recommendations and some terribly vile personal attacks. I don't expect the situation to change; it has been thus a very long time. Anyway, thanks to you "B's" who did respond...and especially to you, Bonnie, for your very kind words.

[Berry Cool]

3. If McCain knows so much about how to do everything, why is he keeping it all cooped up

inside that pretty little head of his? Why doesn't he start sharing it with us NOW? Why does the revelation and deployment of his knowledge all have to hinge on his becoming president? Aren't we in a deep enough crisis with the wars, and financially, etc., that we could use all hands on deck, and anyone who's got an idea should throw it out, even if it doesn't get implemented?

And, as Keith Olbermann said, if he knows how to get Osama bin Laden, why is he holding back on that information--and if he is, wouldn't it constitute treason to know where one of America's enemies is and how to capture him, yet withhold that information from anyone who could do anything about it?