I don't get it.

Why are they so angry?

I couldn't watch McCain's speech last night. My stomach is still in a knot after watching and listening to Rudy Guilani and Sarah Palin. Too much sarcasm, cheap-shots and sucker-punches. No substance or strategy.

Dare I say it? Not even any hope.

After watching McCain's speech on YouTube this morning, this is the 'money quote' for me: "Let me just offer an advance warning to the old, big-spending, do-nothing, me-first, country-second crowd: change is coming."

Change is coming? Isn't that the Democratic message?

And, who, exactly, is the "old, big-spending, do-nothing, me-first, country-second crowd"? Certainly not the opposition who are young, fiscally-responsible, and fired up to serve - and change - this country?

Sheesh! I suppose this is designed to steal the thunder from their opponent's theme. Can't they even be original? Well, the best I can say is the Rove Political Machine may not realize this but imitation is still the sincerest form of flattery.

Another "Sheesh!": Why did the only criticism of his very worthy opponent consist of lies? Just one example: He said that Obama is opposed to nuclear power. Not true!

Was that his best shot? I really thought he'd go after Reproductive or Human Rights - probably the Democratic ticket's weakest point with the Republican Evangelical base, which was newly energized by Ms. Palin's nomination.

Nope.

Beyond the usual rhetoric of political rally, I haven't heard one instance of either Obama or Biden attacking either McCain or Palin, never mind telling lies about either of them. I trust that won't happen, either. If it does, you can be certain that I'll be firing off a letter to my local chapter of the Democratic Campaign.

There was no mention of immigration reform or global warming. No strategy. No hope. Just all political rancor - albeit without the nastiness which his running mate Ms. Palin, displayed for us the other night. (Remember her? Ms. Congeniality?)

We can do better than that - all of us, Democrat and Republican. We can be witty and pointed when we 'attack' our opponent's perspectives and strategies. But lies and rancor, nastiness and sarcasm are simply as off-limits as a the Palin family's current situation with either a pregnant teen or a handicapped child. Or, the Obama girls.

The Republican Party is in power - has been for the last eight years. Why are they acting as if it weren't?

Wait. Hang on. I think I got it.

They're not. Well, they're in power, but not in control. That much is painfully obvious.

Unless Mr. McCain and Ms. Palin can drop the partisan rancor, stick to the issues, speak to the 'bread and butter' (and fuel) concerns at home, offer at least an outline of foreign policy, immigration reform and global warming, and conduct a civil, public debate, well, the change Mr. McCain seeks won't be the one he gets - not from a White House he occupies, anyway.

BTW, there is a quote that's been all over the internet which is quite good. It's a response to Ms. Palin's sarcastic comparison between her role as governor vs. Barack Obama's former role as a community organizer.

I've been wondering where it came from. A tip of my baretta to the Rev'd Sandye Wilson for locating the source:

"Mrs. Palin needs to remember that Jesus was a community organizer. Pontius Pilate was a governor." MJR, Michigan, in the comment section of the NYT.

I think it's so good, I've added it to my blog role of favorite quotes, which you can find to your right. I'll be adding others as I find them, but the one from FranIAm giving us some advice about making it through this Season of Presidential Election is also worth underscoring.

"Stay positive.
Be angry - it can move us ahead. Let's not use it against each other.
Don't like someone's post? Stop reading it. Don't comment.
Be hopeful."

Somebody say 'Amen.'

PS - To keep up with Alaskan politics - including a copy of the 63-page "vetting document" for Sarah Palin, check out this site.