Stirring shows, now let's get specifics
These were among the most captivating convention spectacles we can recall.
They really were worth watching.
The mystery, intrigue and introduction of Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, a self-described pit bull with lipstick if ever there was one. You could feel her energy, and the Republicans' electrifying response to her and her zings at Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, coming at you through the television.
Who could help but not be touched by the detailed descriptions of GOP presidential nominee John McCain's more than five years as a Vietnam prisoner of war? His assertion is worth weighing that his decades of poking at Washington and his own party's hierarchy shows he already has used his lifetime to effect change.
There was the high drama of wondering and then watching Sen. Hillary Clinton command her troops to follow her lock step behind Obama. And Obama's reminder that this election is about us and that we, common citizens, are the ones who still can control our destiny.
As we said in our opening comments on the two conventions, both McCain and Obama are honorable men who vow to help us meet our many grave challenges ahead.
Both men talked of the tough economic times we all are facing. Both claimed they will cut taxes; that their opponent really won't. Both promised to help American business, big and small, create jobs.
They talked about ending our wars with honor and valor. About leading us back to being the world's leader. They promised to protect us from terrorists.
They talked about leading us to energy independence. About improving health care and education so that our children do have the promise of a better America.
But what happens now, in the cold light of day, as Palin put it, when "the cloud of rhetoric" clears?
We find we were left with lots of compelling claims, but little of the specificity we really need. How many of us really know how either candidate would go about cutting taxes? How either intends to spur job creation? Which candidate's plan for energy independence is better, less costly, truly takes the long view?
We hope to help provide some answers in our publication's news pages in the two months remaining until Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 4. There was much media bashing these past few days, but it will mostly be the journalists who will ask for details at the upcoming debates at 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26, Thursday, Oct. 2, Tuesday, October 7 and Wednesday, Oct. 15. The candidates' own Web sites also have more specifics and there are nonpartisan think tanks, like The Tax Policy Center or Project Vote Smart, that try to get to the bottom line.
The obligation lies with each of us. We do control our destiny. It's time to do our homework. It's time to determine what these fine presidential candidates truly intend to do to us and for us.