Does it matter how experienced you are if you are wrong and out of touch?

Now that Sunday afternoon football is behind us (with the Titans winning a punishing brawl only paralled by modern partisan politics... and all thanks to the the arm and experience of the second-string journeyman QB, Collins who replaced Vince Young, the superstar with potential but undeveloped leadership), I am starting to shift my thoughts to Tuesday's presidential debate - where unlike the NFL, experience does not seem to be winning out. As Nashville's own Belmont University is navigating it's recent controversial departure from it's conservative Baptist roots, it is preparring to host Senators McCain and Obama as they too offer a contrast of republican traditionalism and democratic relevance, and the risks of each. For all the critique of both Obama and Palin as too inexperienced, how can it be that they are the ones who have captured the hearts and minds of voters on their respective sides? Is it due to thier shared "out-sider" perspective? Is it Palin's folksy approach and Obama's new language and vision for this country? It's telling that while America may find valid comfort in experience, we are now even more motivated by the opportunity to see real change, and we are seeing it in the persons of Sara and Barack... the only challenge is that you really don't want the draw of your ticket to be the VP... so Obama has a decided edge. Obama's inexperience was challenged early on as a liability (and his presidency is certainly a calculated risk), but if the choice is between experienced, but wrong or inexperienced, and right... then maybe experience does not matter.

If I were debating McCain

As I watched the first presidential debate, I couldn't help but offer my minor league swing at a few softball comments that deserved much better answers. Remember, Senator Obama was the underdog, but showed presidential composure, knowledge of the complicated issues, concise 1-2-3 proposals… all while providing a window into how he has, and will engage members of both parties, and foreign leaders – with intellectual generosity, warm but strong diplomacy, and the confidence to look the "other guy" in the eye. Still, if I was advising Obama, I'd suggest...

1. When Sen. McCain rants about what he sees when he looks Putin in the eye… I'd love to see Sen. Obama challenge him by saying… "How can you look dangerous world leaders in the eye – when you can't even look me in the eye?"

2. When Sen. McCain mocks the idea of Sen. Obama meeting with world leaders America has issues with – saying what will that look like… when Iran says they are going to destroy Israel, and you're going to say, "No you wont"…. I'd love to see Sen. Obama say… "As the American people have seen tonight, I take the approach of strong diplomacy, just like I have tonight with you John. When there is common ground, I readily embrace it am not afraid to state it. When you are wrong, I tell you are wrong. It has been said… Stay close to your friends, and even closer to your enemies."

3. When discussing lessons from the war in Iraq, and whether the surge was the right strategy… I'd love to hear Sen. Obama say… "The lessons are 2-fold. It was the wrong war, AND the wrong strategy. So, while I agree with Sen. McCain that we finally fixed the 2nd problem… the right strategy for the wrong war – is still the wrong war!" - What Sen McCain is saying is like… the means justify the end.

4. When talking about values, I'd love to hear Obama say... "As a Christian, I believe in the over-arching responsibility of STEWARDSHIP – which applies to everything I will do as President… From stewardship of the earth and this country's resources... Stewardship of our economy – ensuring Wall Street is responsible for monies Main Street has entrusted to it...
Stewardship of government – and the power to work not only for one's constituents, but for the common good... Stewardship of our family responsibilities – for dads to be fathers, and children to be safe and hopeful for a better future... Stewardship of our neighbors and communities – helping those are trying to climb out of being poor and uninsured – knowing that we are only as strong as our weakest link.

How close is the election???

If the election were today, the electoral college projections are: Obama wins by: 12 votes!

Obama: 238
McCain: 227

http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/president/whos-ahead/key-states/map.html