"Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain."
Last night's money quote from the McCain-Messiah session came when Rick Warren asked asked Obama "when does a baby get human rights in your view?"
"Well, I think that whether you are looking at it from a theological perspective or a scientific perspective, answering that question with specificity, you know, is above my pay grade."
He's actually been acting like president since before he clinched the nomination; someone should tell him that there is no higher pay grade than the one for which he campaigns.
In great contrast, McCain later answered the same question in five words: "At the moment of conception."
But The Big O wasn't finished obfuscating.
"But point number two, I am pro-choice. I believe in Roe v. Wade and come to that conclusion not because I’m pro abortion, but because ultimately I don’t think women make these decisions casually.
These are the sort of answers scrawled in millions of blue books by unprepared high school students during mid-terms.... many words, no content.
This is where the democrat party's national charade begins to fall apart. All that was required was exposure to a surprisingly direct and cogent interrogator, the absence of a script and a TelePrompTer.
What a difference four years make.
Michael Phelps' historic performance in the Olympics may well remain unmatched... period. Just as important, perhaps moreso, for his personal development as a role model for young Americans.
Gone with the cockiness of his teen behavior in Athens, his immature, flippant attitude when asked about Mark Spitz' seven-gold medal record. Bob Costas' joint interview with the two legends (via remote with Spitz) was appropriately respectful all the way around.
But where was Spitz last night? Presumably, at home.
Uninvited by the IOC, and even Speedo, which he single-handedly made a house-old name and millions of dollars, Spitz was further and ungraciously snubbed by the man of the hour, Phelps.
The Packers have never forgotten Kramer, Starr and old Max McGee, rest his soul. Even Jackie Robinson's widow is a fixture at MLB events and ceremonies; MLB and Mark McGwire made damn sure that Roger Maris' entire family was present when his broke the Yankee great's hallowed "61", and Michael Jordan and Julius Erving are never overlook by their formers teams or any significant NBA event.
I guess Olympic swimming must be like soccer... short term memory loss.
No one with any self respect or social grace goes where they're not invited, and under last night's circumstances, especially someone of Spitz's world fame and achievement; he was after all, Phelps, before Phelps.
With more maturity, Phelps would have been able to simply pick up the phone and tell the IOC, the The US Swimming Federation and the US Olympic Committee that he wanted Spitz and his wife to be in the stands for not just Phelps', but America's triumph.
On the very remote chance his request was turned down, Phelps could simply have written a check; he already made $5 million this year (plus a $1 mil bonus from Speedo for last night alone); and that's just the beginning. Unlike Spitz, young Phelps, who has never worked in the traditional sense, will never have to.
And besides, without his relay teammates' great efforts, Phelps would be tied with Spitz, perhaps forever.
Nobody gets to the top alone.











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