Lex Luther v. Superman

Resilience/Periodic Genius v. The Superstar

I had heard from a journalist that Sarah Palin hadn't passed the vetting process because of some kind of questionable financial dealings, but aside from this, I thought that McCain would be a genius to choose her. If not her, maybe Kay Bailey Hutchison. Palin is a woman (and popular among Republicans). Barack Obama did not choose Hillary Clinton. Hillary Clinton is a woman. Lots of not-so- or not-at-all-solid Democratic women were pretty excited about voting for a woman. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this one out.  Sarah Palin is a well-liked woman. Really, that's what it all boils down to.

I am worried.

I've been on a bit of a roller coaster ride the last few days.

. . . I am pissed off at Obama for running. I am pissed off at the Obamas and the Obama primary campaign for having run an insidious campaign that managed to label one of the greatest crusaders for the causes of African Americans as a racist. I am annoyed that Obama has not been very helpful to Hillary Clinton since the primary season ended.

. . . I am worried that Obama cannot win the presidency.

. . . I am worried that if Obama wins the presidency he will not be tough enough or decisive enough to keep us safe, especially with regard to Israel, but also with regard to the Middle East and Russia and whatever comes next.

. . . I am happy to think about all the good Obama could do for the African-American community. I am thrilled and gratified to think that we will have our first African-American nominee for President of the United States.

. . . I am afraid that Obama is not the one to navigate the difficult and complex geopolitical waters ahead.

. . . I am pissed that I didn't get the VP text message I signed for.

. . . I cannot believe that Obama chose Biden as his running mate. What was he thinking? Is there something I'm missing, something I don't know? I am underwhelmed and and doubting Obama's cleverness.

. . . I am really excited about the Democratic National Convention. I am having a great time at the Convention. I love Denver!

. . . I am still pissed that Hillary is not the nominee. I am sad but impressed when watching Hillary's speech. I am blown away by Bill Clinton's speech and pissed off that Michelle Obama looks like she hates him the whole time he's talking. I am amazed that the Obamas can be such sore winners.

. . . I still haven't seen her speech - I will watch it tomorrow.

. . . I am amazed at the 20-something crowd energized by Barack Obama - especially amazed about how much they care about the problems and challenges facing this country and how interested they seem to be in helping to solve some of those problems, face some of those challenges. I have turned a corner and I am feeling better about Barack Obama. I am getting some closure and healing a bit.

. . . I am emotional at the significance of Barack Obama accepting the Democratic nomination.

. . . I am still worried that he won't win, but after his speech, I feel a little better about that.

. . . I am worried that John McCain will choose Palin or Hutchison as his running mate and we'll lose.

. . . I am caught up in the excitement and thinking positive thoughts.

. . . I am impressed that McCain did the genius thing and now very, very worried again.

Maybe Obama's strategy of painting McCain as a well-meaning, but doddering and nearly senile old man will work. Maybe not. Maybe the Obama camp has something more up its collective sleeve. Maybe the resilient John McCain (remember his nearly dead campaign earlier in the primary season?) has even more up his sleeve. Maybe Obama will be like Superman and outsmart the genius, overcome the kryptonite, and defeat Lex Luther in the end.

One can only HOPE.

(And work one's tush off to make sure that Barack Obama is the next President of the United States!)