Top 5 Thoughts After the Third Presidential Debate

McBane here. It's Raptor's birthday. As I'm sure you know, Raptor, hobbits give presents to other people on their birthdays. I think it's the right thing to do in this situation. Ironically, today will also be Raptor's death day (don't complain; I think all he really wants for his birthday is death).

Anyway, after watching Always Sunny, Taxi to the Dark Side, and the presidential debate all in a row, I have suddenly become clairvoyant: the key to happiness is firing up the DVR and watching lots of good tv after work.

Some thoughts on the debate:

5) This is a just-for-me thing, but I loved Senator Obama's response on Colombia. "Actually, I understand it pretty well." (He does; illegal drugs and Colombia were responsible for roughly 70% of my study in grad school.)

Obama's obviously not dumb. As a matter of fact, he's obviously the smartest guy amongst the two presidential contendors. It's funny how McCain said Obama needs to stop running again Bush; it's almost as if at times McCain thinks it's 2000 and he's running against Bush again.

The only better response would have been, "who gives a flying fuck about free trade pacts with Colombia?"

4) Same chill pill needs to be taken as regards DC school vouchers, Senator McCain. We're in the worst financial crisis in 80 years, sir. Joe the Plumber and his cousins Joe Six-Pack and Jane Winebox want to know about the economy, so please tone down the sarcasm and the know-it-all attitude, especially for things that are NOT worth it. (Why keep bringing up Bill Ayers, too, if you keep saying you don't care about this old washed-up terrorist? "I'm not here to attack anyone, but Senator Obama is a subversive son of a bitch. Now please, let's move on. Really, no attacks. They're offensive to me. And yes, I think it's fine for my supporters to threaten to kill Obama.")

3) Could McCain have given a worse answer to the Roe v. Wade question? It's a commendable position (I guess), but damn, talk about a way to let all the air our of the evangelical balloon.

2) The only time I have ever, ever seen Obama look thrown off-kilter: when McCain bizarrely tried to attack Biden's foreign policy credentials. (Obama: Smile and nod, smile and nod, and uh...wait, what the hell?)

1) I may start watching network news again if Bob Schieffer acts like this more often. Bob, don't retire.