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I didn’t post about last night’s debate because I was twittering, watching it, listening to the howls of Homer as she threw socks at the television and watched my niece create a Mr. Potatohead version of both candidates, which for the life of me, I cannot find this morning.

The oldest niece, well, her google fu is stronger than mine. The master has become the student here in Hoots.

I’m going to try to be fair in my observation of the debate.

• We actually had a debate. This is the first time.
• Bob Schieffer should moderate all debates in the future. I’ll tell you what I like about him. When he was on the nightly news, he didn’t act like a swaggering rock star like some anchors do. He was steady last night and finally, FINALLY, got the candidates to answer some questions. In my opinion, he was the winner more so than the candidates.
• John McCain did better in this debate although he looked very uncomfortable.
• Barack Obama was interesting responding to the Joe the Plumber reference, even though Joe isn’t going to vote for him. I thought this was compelling because does this mean that he’s willing to engage the topic and not the issue of one vote. I saw the video clip of Obama’s interaction with Joe and it was rational and a great exercise in agreeing to disagree. Score for both of Joe and Barack.
• On a down note, I’m sick of Joe the Plumber, Joe Six-Pack and other references. Don’t dumb down politics by these silly catchphrases.
• McCain rolled his eyes a lot and got crabbier as the debate went on but I give him the first 30 minutes. His body language was awkward to watch though and the youngest niece, who could give two flips about politics, asked if he was all right and asked if his neck was all right.
• Mabel, as I said last night on Twitter, will serve as Secretary of Steak if Obama gets the White House. She is willing and she is able.

The bottom line for me is I’m voting today so I can sit back on Election Day with a bag of popcorn and a Fresca to watch what happens.