Joe Six Pack?

A scary number of Americans voted for George W. Bush because he was the kinda guy you wanted to have a beer with. Since 2000 we have paid in more ways than one for the "every day guy", "Joe 6 pack" in the ultimate seat of power. What we should have learned when you put an average every day person in such a lofty position you get, in recent history, someone that is out their league. They are easily manipulated by the people around them, (Dick Cheney) who we did not vote for at least not directly.

These offices of President and Vice President require brilliance at best competence at the least. Barack Obama has shown that he is cool under pressure, not reactionary or impulsive. He was steady during the turmoil of the financial crisis while his opponent was all over the map. He has shown throughout this campaign that he has one of the most important qualities of a president, empathy and the innate ability to not only see how things are but also to look forward to how things might be in the future. Thoughtfulness from a president. What a concept.

Governor Palin in the one and only vice-presidential debate showed the ability to recite talking points but offer nothing of substance. She went nearly the whole debate without directly answering a question. Like I'm talking to you about baseball and all your answers are about football. In this day of 2 ground wars and a economic recession what should we be looking for in a potential leader is not style points or how many pieces of flair you have or how down home folksy you are. Not how good they look getting off Air Force One but how thoughtful they are. How calm they are in a crisis. How much do they really understand how their decision will effect you, "joe six pack" or you that hockey mom .

So Joe, I hope you are looking for someone that offers ideas and not just attacks on the opposition. Look to judgement shown in the campaign both in policy and in the running of their campaigns in making your decision. Remember if your at risk of losing your house or job, if your on the verge of bankruptcy because of health care issues if your wondering how to send your children to college to live a better life than your own, that its not about if the President is someone that you want to have a drink with but rather or not he can help you.