BernieHund: The Political Watchdog

It is hard to tell whether the Wednesday night debate will be a love fest or a sparring match.  Everything leading up to the debate indicates that it will be a sparring match between Obama and Clinton.  But, when face to face the candidates seem to agree more than disagree… at least up until now.

Recently, both candidates have made what has been called “gaffes” by the media.  Since the last debate Hillary has told stories about her trip to Bosnia that just weren’t true and more recently Barack has been labeled as an “elitist” by Clinton and McCain for comments he made in San Francisco.

But, what about the real issues?  It seems that Obama has taken up bowling and Clinton is slamming shots with the boys.  Quite frankly, call it “elitist” if you choose, but I have no interest in watching Barack Obama feed a calf or in a bowling tournament.  I have even less interest in watching Hillary Clinton sharing a brew with the boys or slamming shots.  Do they really think that makes either of them one of us? 

In the real world… the one the candidates live in… it is more than obvious that Barack and bowling are two “b’s” that shouldn’t be in the same sentence.  And, as for Hillary tossing back a shot of whatever… well… let’s hear it for the girls.  There was nothing in either picture that looked in the least like anything either candidate would do in their personal lives.  In fact, the last Pennsylvania photo ops seem to be contrived and artificial.

I don’t care if the next president can bowl over 200 or if the next Oval Office occupant can slam a shot.  I don’t care if he or she gives the appearance of arrogance, acts like an elitist or has entered a war zone and come under fire.  We have lost track of the issues.  And, to please a few voters it seems that all the candidates are pandering for votes.

Personally, I would like a president who is willing to listen to the people, but not be exactly like one of us.  Let’s face it, most of us are living day to day, worrying about the things I hope the next president doesn’t have to worry about in his or her personal life.  I would like the next president to be smarter than I am.  I would hope that he or she dresses better.  I would prefer a president who is more interested in taking on the problems of the entire nation as opposed to worrying about how he or she looks flipping pancakes at the county fair.  Oh, I’m not knocking them for trying.  And, hell, I respect a man or woman who can take a shot of tequila without gagging.  But, I don’t necessarily want to vote for him or her.

We need to get beyond the trivia.  There are real problems that need to be solved.  Now, the question is if the debate moderators will address the real issues or continue to point out the points of contention between the two.  As a hint… I can watch soap operas during the day.  I would like some quality television for just one evening.  George Stephanopoulos and Charlie Gibson have the opportunity to provide that… if they are willing to ask real questions… the ones that matter.