If one uses this forum, or the media as a resource, to determine a candidates qualifications the obvious conclusion would be neither is qualified, experienced, suited to, etc, etc for the job.

Regarding back grounds and how it may or may not influence decisions/directions/etc....not to worry....remember they are POLITICIANS so they will say what ever y'all want to hear to get elected. They will do what ever they want that is in the best interest of their personal/party/special interest groups needs....whether supported by the American majority or not (Just like Pelosi and Bush, eh?).
There is little they as an individual can deliver by them selves.....and it usually takes a couple of years for the winner to find they don't have the Omnipotent power, they dreamed about while campaigning. Therefore it really does not matter who wins.

As for affecting any outcomes in the MidEast......does anybody really believe any American President will influence what they do. The last few centuries there are testimony to that.

Lest we forget....and we all do....9/11...how it affected our leaders state and federal...as well as all the rest of us.....the most memorable visions of the immediate post 9/11 days was the fact there was unity in Washington, albeit brief (they forget faster than the rest of us because they have no power of recollection). When the next act of terrorism on and in America happens, it will most likely be worse than 9/11....the terrorist have promised that and they are not promises like politicians make, they are real as born out by history.

The US at war in another country to protect the US once upon a time was a unifying factor. That no longer exists. Are we destined to unify only when under attack?

As you weigh the candidate of your choice they will continue to remind you in the coming weeks why they are the one to vote for (Oh excuse me, I almost forgot...they will constantly remind you why the other guy is not good for the job).

For me it is not all the political fluff, nor the media, nor the price of gas, or the war in Iraq et al, rebate checks, black, white or other. It is who will be sitting in that seat when the next 9/11-like incident happens... and who the running mate is in case the President is included in the attack. That is what motivates my evaluation.

BTK