It seems more a relief than anything else. I am overcome with a strange unfamiliarity (I am not a U.S Citizen)  and uneasiness with the USA that this new era heralds in. A humbler, battered down America that doesn’t look arrogant, ignorant or unnecessarily hawkish (potent combination), with a long road to recovery, and almost inspirational once again. Is change that easy?  Obama does seem to have a lot on his plate even before he gets inaugarated, and as Biden puts it bluntly, he will be tested. I can’t wait to see something test his mettle.

Is it bordering on prima donna-like behavior? It seems to ride on the presumption that such an inconvenience would be more than accommodated by the audience. The well-scripted, montaged, edited infomercial did not add to more of what we are used to – slick, scripted campaigning. Some saw Hillary’s possible turning point when she went off script. There has yet to be a moment for Obama. But if I had to choose between one who, mostly, stays on script and one who doesn’t, I’d go with consistency.

Here’s a parody of the infomercial, at least what they imagined it to be given Obama’s already gaping lead.

Its Psychology 101 that such characterisations aims to draw boundaries between the in vs out group, thereby drawing out, and solidifying the Republican base. The legitimacy of tactic – questionable. But the liberal media as certainly interpreted it in the worst meaning possible. So New Yorkers aren’t American enough for some, but enough for Al Qaeda? Certainly Stewart’s favourite argument, and packs a dramatic punch.

I think the group Palin is appealing to:

• idealise themselves as part of such a group – more than are part of such a group
• are bitter about disparities – pre-drawn battlelines?

Generally people are diverse – forcing a distinction between 2 tribes are essentially forcing nearly 60% – 80% of people to choose a side they don’t completely believe in (think about a bell curve), which generate unnecessary antagonism.

But nuff said – here are some clips about this issue.

And I loved the multiple references that not everyone will get – the Mark Wahlberg talks to animals, Alec Baldwin-Tina Fey-30 Rock stuff, and how Alec Baldwin is one of the more popular guest hosts at SNL. But enough of the talking, here are the highlights:

And this is one of my favourite pieces of  Formidable Opponent – it highlights how Guantanamo actually may create the very people it is hunting for even if they were initially innocent. No one is innocent after living through torture and humiliation…

Here – Sarah Silverman and The Daily Show tackle this issue.

Here is a debate flowchart that popped up:

And here’s Tina Fey and Joe Sudeikis(another funnyman) re-enactment of the debate – and props to Queen Latifah for an excellent impression of Gwen Ifil.
Watch out for how ‘Palin’ blatantly (and politely) avoids a question she cannot answer.

While I do not condone McCain’s behaviour, I sometimes wonder if Obama is too ‘hands off’. The word professorial, cerebral and elitist have been thrown around more than once. In mud-slinging situations it’ll be great to stay above the fray, but the recent financial crisis and the whole presidential-debate-vs-negotiations-at-the-hill issue seemed a tad too pertinent for any hint of being ‘hands off’. While McCain’s 1 or 2 phone calls seem laughably undeserving of a campaign suspension, at least it contrasts nicely with Obama’s seemingly steady and calm stance. But if one is only watching the fire, it isn’t hard to remain calm. The ‘cool customer’ has not truly been tested, and perhaps he missed a great chance – or avoided a calamity, by staying so far above the fray.

Will he crack or thrive during crunch times? I think his strategists want Americans to know the answer AFTER he wins.