So I didn’t get to watch all of the debate. I ended up watching some and listening to the rest on radio. All the talk leading up to the debate was what Sen. McCain (The War Hero) had to to do win this debate and the need for him to win handily to beat Sen Obama (The Rock Star) as his lead in the polls is almost insurmountable with less than three weeks to go in the election. The major topic of the debate seemed to be Joe The Plumber who Sen. McCain referenced and then became the analogy for the “general working man/woman” of the U.S.

What I’m trying to figure out is how did Joe The Plumber get to be everyman. Is a Plumber’s issues the same as a teacher’s or a firefighter’s or a secretary’s? That notwithstanding it was fascinating to watch/hear this debate and then hear the pundits determine what chances the candidates have to win the Presidency of the U.S. as a result. Many people still feel that Sen. Obama is in the driver’s seat and are very close to saying he can’t lose.

 There are two problems with that. One is that Vice President Al Gore “won” the popular vote by 500,000 in 2000 and lost the election. Second is that Sen. Obama is Black and this election is in America. I know that everyone feels like the color of his skin shouldn’t make a difference and it shouldn’t but it does. No matter what the polls say whether Obama is up by 7, 8, 10 or more points in the polls. People still have to go behing the curtain and pull the lever.

 There have been reports by the AP and others (see this link [1] http://www.blackamericaweb.com/site.aspx/bawnews/movingamerica08/whitesobama923) that when Whites go to the polls on November 4th, though they say they are colorblind and support Obama, they may very well decide that they can’t really afford to have a Black President.

So what do we all do. Well, like the moderator of last night’s debate said, “Now Go Vote! It’ll make you feel strong!” I would add vote with your heart, your head and with the best interest of your future in mind.

That’s for Joe the Plumber, Sharon the teacher, Rhonda the Police Officer, Mike the Sanitation worker and all of us.