On vacation

For those wondering where I've been...on vacation during the entire duration of the Olympics. Congats to Phelps.

Did see the Civil Forum and here's the quick run down:

Tons of substance to this Q & A format although nothing all that new.
You could tell Sen. Obama was fresh off a vacation but he maintained his ground in nuance personality that came across measured and well thought out, plus very sincere. As far as the key voters in the swing states he is hoping to win, he may have come across a bit elite; or rather too intellectual. He said nothing that will alienate his current supporters. He seemed more comfortable talking about faith, even quoting Mathew once. He dodged the abortion question, specifically in regards to when a fetus gets rights. This will be a non-issue voting wise. Everyone knows he is pro-choice and Sen. McCain is pro-life. Him handling the question in that manner doesn't change anything.

McCain used the forum for talking points, but he did it in his at times lost fashion of being frank, blunt, and direct. This only helps him maintain the image of him being the "straight talk" politician which keeps those who have a favorable view of him and allows voters to write off his pandering to the Republican base. It helped him maintain that "comfort" he holds with a great deal of North Americans.

Not sold either candidate won over voters. Sen. Obama may have made some religious voters more comfortable with him; specifically and solely the conservative voters that aren't strict pro-life people. Sen. McCain may have ignited his base a bit more with the pro-life part of the forum but that shouldn't be seen as winning over voters that would've voted for Sen. Obama.

This forum simply reaffirmed the images and opinions of each candidate as long as one has been paying attention, not much, if anything, was new information.