Ignoring the debates, but feeling the need to post some marginally politically-related content

Yeah, I know all of you are watching (and blogging) the debates, but I just can't bring myself to do it. Eight podiums, one minute answers... ugh. It's all style and no substance - just the thing that got us in to our current predicament some seven years ago when Candidate Gore rolled his eyes and sighed. And yes, I know the packaging is important, and I always make sure to watch a debate in the general election, but I really don't understand the appeal of political debates beyond the mere sport of it. At any rate, living where I live and working where I work, I'll get my chance to see these folks in an environment where they're not playing to the sound bite as much, where they'll have an opportunity to expand upon their ideas and maybe add some substance to the pithy one-liners their consultants have relentlessly focus-grouped.

I've already had the opportunity to see two of the candidates, although they weren't the bigshots by any stretch. Chris Dodd came off as an amiable wonk. He knew his shit, but I don't agree with some of his policy prescriptions. Nice enough guy, though. Kucinich gave a hella good presentation - well framed, visionary, and hitting on all the right policy points for me. Those who know me know I have a soft spot for the little socialist vegan from Cleveland, even if he can't win. He further ingratiated himself to me (and a few of my colleagues with whom I spoke) when he quoted Eugene Debs during his hour with us. What's not to love?

Bonus political fun fact: if Americans were only slightly more shallow than they are and chose their president by the attractiveness of the potential First Spouse, shortly after noon (nine in the West) on January 20, 2009, we'd be listening to President Dennis Kucinich's inaugural speech. I kid you not.