Politics... Campaign USA 2008, the country holds its breath...

Whew!  Now that the vice presidential debate is history, voters can all display a collective sigh of relief... regardless of party affiliation.  Indeed, both vice-presidential hopefuls in Gov. Palin and Sen. Biden did admirably well considering the uneasy anticipation that the citizenry was, for a moment, bracing itself for... the fact that going into the debate, there surely was no shortage of elements that could easily have turned the face-off into an embarrassing chapter in U.S. politics. Ironically, their performances were instead more animated and engaging in style, for Sen. McCain and Sen. Obama to hopefully take cues from for their next presidential debate.  So, hurray!  In front of a global audience, it was a triumphant escape...

And now, at least we can move our focus back to where we can see the bigger picture on where the two candidates stand.   Sen. Biden was poised in showing his qualification to become second in command... while Gov. Palin still seemed only too eager to convince why she was the party presidential running mate.  The format allowed this event to be more of a job interview than a debate... as more than anything else, the concern was more on relaxing an audience among which most eyebrows were bent on being raised on the slightest cue.  In fact, that it didn't turn out to be as much the fodder that the pundits in us were only too willing to feed the mill with, it was a welcome disappointment...    

Ultimately the responsibility lies on a better informed American electorate. Thankfully, signs do indicate a new galvanized movement that by that defining day in November, this national election will see increased participation by a wiser voting public spanning across all demographic lines... more than the country has ever experienced in recent history.  A challenge then becomes, to keep the momentum up in getting everyone engaged, as the U.S. takes center stage.  More than ever, the world is watching...