In many ways, I'm growing to believe that it doesn't make a heckuva lot of difference who the President is. I know they don't effect the economy as much as they are blamed or applauded. And eventually most Presidents come to a very similar conclusion on most issues.

But, the President is the lightening rod for our frustrations with the petty politics of all those elected officials, media, and congressional staffers who work inside the DC beltway and believe that they are concerned about the same things that the rest of the country is concerned about. The endless party talking points and hearings that politicians hold just to get their faces on TV or to score points with their congressional peers. It is not what our founders intended and unfortunately it can't be changed. Whether its hearings about "political" appointments or hearings about "political" finance or "non-binding" votes to send a message, they are all in their own little world and even the best intentioned President or other elected official becomes sucked in or burdened with the constant wrangling. And their political pettiness too often sets the agenda for our conversations.

So, regardless of who gets elected in 2008, it won't make much difference after they get into their second term. It is the corrupting of the President by the politics of congress, special interest and the beltway media.