Enthralled. First there was the Obama Acceptance Speech – yes he delivers well, - still no Trudeau or Reagan. Of most interest was the brilliance at the assembly and cadence for each topic – or more correctly “Voter Segment” that he touched. His speech ended with a touching quote, but what surprised me, was that he actually used the Power Close – about half way through instead. Brilliant construction – only they left part of the roof on the main floor.

I couldn’t wait to hear how the McCain Team would position the response. It could be a tremendous study in respond, attack, gain favor. Not sure if after the storm and the amended Republican Convention format that it all fell apart, or if the construction just not great from the start – but McCain's Acceptance Speech said little of a well played response to Obama’s strong opening night performance.

And last night I fell asleep to the murmurs of the “great debate”. Yes today the Pundits are saying volley, attack, joust, avoiding direct hits on each other…but landing well placed blows. HUH? Hey they had to say something other than limp. I awoke to replay after replay. I found last night’s performance a polite discussion, no, not even as good as a discussion – more a ‘plea’ from the podium. High School debating teams have had more spark, brilliance and intrigue. Each candidate for much of the evening went eye-to-eye with the Moderator – not even direct to the camera – let alone, each other! Witness a Moderator that asked more than a half dozen times – please respond to Mr. McCain, please address that to Mr. Obama, please, please and please.

Leadership debates are supposed to give a glimpse into the ‘character’ of the Candidate. In truth what we want to see is much like a car race – the impact – that moment. Bush looking at his watch, Trudeau stepping out from behind a glass podium and then Joe Clark taking a step back in retreat…oh yes Marshall McLuhan.

Yes, yes I know, we’re not supposed to say we’re there for the knock-out punch…but remember back to the movie Grand Prix when Eva Marie Saint stepped from the ambulance and quite literally tarred the Media with...”here, this is what you want, this is really why you come to the races…” Well in a word “yes” I was there to see diplomatic attack and rebuttal…not for the Sport of it, but to learn from what should be the pinnacle of style…a machine assembled behind each of two men who wanted to lead the free world….before the economic hobbling which will redefine much of what we today call…Leadership.