Stan Geiger

Final Debate in the Books

I must say, I was reasonably impressed with last night's debate. It was easily the best of the three. It was more of a debate and less of a question and answer session. I liked that.

In my view, McCain won. Frankly, I didn't think he had it in him, but I thought he did a good job. From what I saw, Obama was on the defensive all night long. All he did was smile, promise a package under the tree for everybody and say George Bush this and George Bush that.

One of the best points made in the whole conversation came from McCain, when he noted George Bush isn't running for anything.

Exactly. McCain isn't Dubya anymore than H.W. was Ronald Reagan. The same party label doesn't promise "four more years" of anything.

Besides, we have this thing called Congress. Candidates and the media alike tend to ignore that fact. A president can do little on his own. He can request; he can suggest; he can propose. But Congress has the power to do.

And that fact, my friends, creates a problem for Obama. Should he win this election, the Democrats will have control of the House, the Senate and the White House. Historically, Americans haven't been excited about one-party rule. We tend to like having split power, so one can keep the other in check. The McCain camp should work that angle down the stretch. I mean who really wants to see Reid, Pelosi, Biden and Obama holding unfettered power in Washington?

The polls show Obama with a lead. Pundits say if the election were held today he would gather over 300 electoral votes. But I wouldn't call it over. It's one thing to tell a pollster how you plan to vote. It's quite another to go into a voting booth, put away all your questions and concerns, and seal the deal. One is just talk; the other is an irrevocable act.

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