I spent entirely too much time on YouTube and comment sections of the LA Times today.  The level of discourse was beginning to convince me that the Great Experiment that is America is doomed by "them" and "us" divisions.

And then I remembered the interviews this past weekend of two men, John McCain and Barack Obama, whom I believe to be sincere in their desire to lead America to a better future. 

I was also heartened by Pastor Rick Warren, currently being vilified by all sorts of frings folks right and left, and his encouragement to those of us in the middle--to listen, to agree, to disagree--with respect.  Without name calling.  With a common love for this country and hope for its future.

In that spirit, I offer my analysis of the forum and the differences between John McCain and Barack Obama as illustrated by their responses to similar (but very different) questions.  (Rick did his best, but he did not offer identical questions.)

Due to the format, to the questions Warren asked, this analysis is more about each man's approach to the presidency than it is about policy.  (Again, if you haven't seen the program, it's a worthy investment of time given all the challenges currently facing the U.S.)

First off, I believe both men came across (and indeed are) sincere.  Let's throw out the nonsense about the cone of silence, the latter day prattle about various moral failings.  Both men admitted they were human.  Both appear by the record to have personal integrity.  Each believes he and his party have the better approach to solving our problems.

Given that both Obama and McCain seem to me to be sincere, I did note the following differences in these candidates based on their answers to Warren's questions.

Obama is thoughtful, analytical and comes at problems from a broad (occasionally global) perspective.

McCain is personable, convinced and comes at issues from a narrow (often anecdotal) perspective.

I could quote at great length here, but I think I'll spare you.  Even those who are intent on trashing Obama say that he came off as "intellectual".  And those who view McCain as the antichrist say he was "folksy."

Instead, I offer this.  Underpinning the policies each of these men propose, there is a person who will be making critical decisions in a time where the following issues loom large:

--Shifting the engines of our energy requirements

--Redeeming the barely quantifiable hole we've dug for ourselves

--Challenging the intellect and spirit of the next generation (and this one) to a spirit of sacrifice, long-term good, and increasing globalization

Given the qualities each man brings to the table and the problems at hand--I prefer a high-level thinker with analytical skills to the (to some) more personable man who is rooted in his own past, in the narrowest definitions of what's "good" for our nation, and who does it all with a twinkle and a glib response.

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