tha_dude, I hear you, but I don't think it will be easy for either McCain or Obama to win the election. Being a smooth talker is one of the requirements, not the requirement. Do you remember 2004 election? Kerry was much better in debates than Bush, but Bush ended up winning the election. Although I always lean towards Democratic party, I am in favor of McCain this time. I think his policies are straightforward. One truth is that no matter how much publicity Obama gets, his polls numbers are not surging. With the media exposures he is getting, he should be at least 20 points ahead, but that is not the case. All McCain needs to do is energize the core. And I think he did it by bringing Palin on VP slot.