I guess I'm getting cynical as the years go by. It does not matter what Sen. Obama or Sen. McCain say from here on out. They have speechwriters, image consultants, makeup artists, public opinion analysts, and every other type of specialist to present whatever image best fits the audience du jour. The candidate from here out is a marionette.

From here on out, I'm paying more attention to finding out who is owed what for campaign services and endorsements, as those are the folks who will get the plum jobs as appointees when the confetti is swept away. Those appointees are the ones who really are the key folk, as they will be the advisers, directors, and overall Party controllers during the next administration.