Civil Politics

I'm not really in the "mood" to write tonight. But I cannot resist getting a little bit out.

This evening I watched some of the clips from the Presidential Forum: Service Nation at Columbia University. What a pleasant difference in tone. It was great to see the candidates answering questions calmly and without snide remarks. That said...

McCain was especially put on the spot about the combative tone of his campaign in the last week or so. Did Hillary Clinton teach Barack Obama and the media anything?! I agree with McCain, politics is rough business. McCain is trying to win. McCain is furiously trying to win. And he should. So should Obama.

Does anyone remember what Clinton said to Obama about her incredibly harsh tactics? I'll paraphrase. "Welcome to the big leagues, chump. Now that you've beat me, maybe you'll be tough enough to actually win the election." Don't count on it. (And I'm of the opinion that the power-silly Clintons are not counting on it. Hoping against it.)

When China talks tough and rebukes the United States for questioning its record on human rights, the United States needs to talk tough back. When Russia talks tough and rebukes the United States for questioning its invasion of Georgia, the United States needs to talk tough back. And yet, when the leaders of all those countries get together for some diplomatic event, they all need to talk nicely to each other and shake hands.

Tonight we saw Obama and McCain talking nicely and shaking hands. Obama also needs to learn how to be rough, too. Presidents need to be able to raise their voice above more than applause. I'm starting to get the sense Obama will never get the chance to try.