The 2nd Debate

I don't think there's much I can say about Tuesday night's debate that hasn't already been said.

However, I am deeply saddened by the contrast between John McCain and Barack Obama in their on-stage demeanor.

Barack Obama was listening to John McCain. All the time. He listened, responded, and listened to the questions. He responded when it was appropriate of course, but throughout he looked like someone who was sharing the stage on which the most important thing was the issues.

John McCain clearly does not like Barack Obama, as evidenced by the body language and condescending tone. This is not the John McCain that so many Democrats have respected over the years. This is not the man whose name was seriously mentioned by intelligent voters as running mate for John Kerry. And this is not the congenial guest from "The Daily Show."

John McCain's downfall started with his endorsement of George W. Bush in the 2000 election. But it didn't really reach the steep slope until his seleection of Sarah Palin as his running mate. It was a signal to all of us who thought he might, just might, stay true to his genuine conservative roots, so while we might not agree with him, we knew we could trust him.

Lately John McCain has been looking defeated, as if politics isn't satisfying for him any more. Yet he has wanted the presidency for so long that now, in spite of what is needed, he is willing to compromise so often that he no longer is the maverick he claims to be.