The star of last night's debate was clearly Joe Wurzelbacher, otherwise known as Joe the Plumber. The winner is up for debate. But Americans were certainly the losers as both candidates competed not for the role of Commander-in-Chief, but for the role of Panderer-in-Chief.
In these troubled times, we can and should demand more from both candidates. If we don't, then to paraphrase Richard Harris' words in Gladiator to his son Joaquin Phoenix, their flaws as presidents are our failings as citizens. We can get both of these guys to do better in the last days of this campaign, and better get whoever is elected to do better when they take office.
What's the definition of better? Telling us the truth, even when it hurts! Every mess we are in right now, from the war in Iraq to the meltdown in the markets was driven by leaders on both sides of the aisle who told us what they wanted to be true, instead of what was. And last night we watched as both candidates did the exact same thing.
When asked by Bob Schieffer what, given the economic woes we face, each of them was ready to cut from the list of give-a-ways and tax breaks that each has proposed, neither candidate gave a straight answer. Each goes merrily along telling us that they can sustain the plans they made six to twelve months ago as if nothing has changed. Either they are idiots, or they think that we are. And if we are not prepared to insist on hearing bad news i.e. what is no longer possible in light of new economic realities, we are.
But as leaders, both Obama and McCain should lead. Both should articulate how all that they hoped to do is no longer possible and how our inability to admit the gap between what is desired and what is actual, is in many ways, what got us into to trouble to begin with. Neither of them has all of the answers and neither of them could get all of their answers through congress even if they did. But both of them could be straight with us about the sacrifices that will be demanded of all of us, regardless of income, in the months and even years ahead.
And they faired no better on the campaign ethics front than they did on the economy. How is it possible that John McCain can be so appropriately articulate on the inappropriateness of Congressman John Lewis comparing the McCain campaign to that of George Wallace, while remaining so obtuse about the genuine horror of people at Republican events screaming "kill him", when Obama's name is mentioned? And how is it that Barack Obama can not simply say "I repudiate those comments because they represent the exact kind of hate-mongering to which John Lewis was objecting"?
Shame on both of them, and shame on all those who are more interested in spinning the outcome of one debate instead of demanding better from both candidates. It's great to hear what we want from the candidate we support, but show me the candidate who can get us to pay attention to what we do not want to hear and I'll show you the candidate who can lead us well during the next four years. Personally, I am still waiting to see if either of them can. And if whoever wins in November can not be that person, we will all live to regret it regardless of who we voted for.
Add to Del.icio.us
Add to Technorati
Add to Digg
Add to Newsvine
Add to Facebook
Add to StumbleUpon
Subscribe
Author, radio and TV talk show host, and President of CLAL-The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, Brad Hirschfield is the author of 
I do not believe in abortion but I don’t believe the the country should legistlate it. The rate of abortions drop under democratic leadership that has been proven because of preventative programs. There have been more Republican presidents in recent decades than Democratic presidents yet they never overturned Roe v Wade even when the Republicans were a majority in Congress. Life is life sending a soldier into battle to fight a war based on lies should also be fought against just as folks fight against abortions. Why haven’t more christians stood up to President Bush for his lies and on going corruption in his Administration. McCain and Palin have both been convicted of ethical violations. McCain has confessed of adultery and Palin’s daughter is pregnant at 17. While I don’t condemn these people I see the unfairness by christians against Obama and it is disheartening. When preachers like Pat Robertson, Focus on the Family leaders preach hate from the pulpit they are no better than J Wright. Christianity is not a Republican monopoly and there should be separation of church and state. The bible saids give to Ceasar what is his and give to God what is HIS. I love the Lord and I love this country and we must pray for our leaders because God not man appoints them
Obama's Campaign has called McCain's ethics, honesty and judgement into question on the basis of his own actions. That is fair game as a genuine issue and concern for anyone considering him for the office. McCain's Campaign has called into question those same issues and added partiotism, nationality and religious beliefs to boot, by use of guilt by association, inuendo and bald-faced lies. The two are not on par any more than are the qualities of the candidates themselves. Both need to clean this up, in my opinion. To do that, Obama will need a wisk broom and a mop - McCain will need a haz-mat team.
B"H
I agree with Brad. Both candidates are telling "special interst" groups what they want to hear.
To Muslims, "I will support a Palestinian state and the rights of Muslims in Lsrael, and to restrain Israel from agression...etc. etc."
To Jews: " I fully support the right of Israel to exist within secure borders, etc. etc.
As nasueum. They're both liars and panderers. And, yes, the American people are losers no matter which one gets elected. I'm voting for McCain only because I think he's the better of two awful choices. Maybe McCain will kick the bucket from old age when in office, and we'll at least get Sarah as our president. She's the best of a sorry lot...Joe
I am so very tired of voting for 'the lessor of the 2 evils'. We need to get 'it' together & act appropriately for our standing in the world while we still have one.
In dwelling on the decision of being made to choose between the lesser of two evils, I've come to the conclusion that both camps are attempting to blackmail the voting public with all their hate and fear-mongering.
If Obama doesn't win, or if he is assasinated once in office, we are told by the spin docotrs the possibility of an African-American uprising exists.
If McCain doesn't win, we are to expect an uprising by Neo-Nazi skinhead types. And of course if he dies in office..... Sarah Palin.
I would like to know what the powers that be..... the ones who push these candidates on us actually have in mind?
Certainly, we can all agree that these two men are not the best choices of either party. But they are the ones we were handed.
We should all be praying, begging God for help because who ever wins this election, I'm afraid we are in a world of trouble.
Post a Comment
By submitting these comments, I agree to the beliefnet.com terms of service, rules of conduct and privacy policy (the "agreements"). I understand and agree that any content I post is licensed to beliefnet.com and may be used by beliefnet.com in accordance with the agreements.