What should American's expect in the upcoming Presidential debates between Senators McCain & Obama?

Let's review the only event where these two had a joint appearance - back on August 17 th, at a Presidential forum held at Saddleback Church in California hosted by Rev. Rick Warren.

CNN's Replay of the Saddleback Forum: http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/16/warren.forum/index.html?iref=mpstoryview#cnnSTCVideo

It was the best opportunity for all Americans to really get to know the character of Senators Obama and McCain. Both the format and the questions were helpful in getting to some core character issues, without the opportunity for cross-sniping between the candidates. This is what America needs in this campaign, and the candidates should do whatever it takes to follow up with similar civil forums - as many as possible.

What was revealed? Well, supporters for each of the candidates may have their own viewpoints confirmed. The undecided middle - now that is whose opinions really matter here. I look forward to seeing and hearing more comments from those who really watched the entire event. Video clips of select portions of the event will undoubtedly end up on YouTube.com to support each side's perspective.

Objectively, what America saw Saturday were two different men. First, they saw a lawyer, a law school professor, who carefully considered the questions, taking his time to provide a precise answer that showed a clear strong character of finesse and nuance. I'm sure those Americans who are looking for a President who will focus on building consensus at the United Nations on International Law principles before making a final decision on whether America should take any action may be pleased with whatthey heard.

Second, we saw a man seasoned with experience who responded to questions decisively and quickly - sometimes before the question was completed. I felt the most important point of McCain's interview was his response to the question of what was his toughest question. For most, the Senator's answer may have been the first time they have heard of his decision of self-sacrifice while a P.O.W. in Vietnam. I believe this event speaks volumes of his character, so please excuse me while I expound on the importance of this point.

When he was shot down, Lieutenant Commander John McCain was a prize catch for the Viet-Cong. His father, Adm. John S. McCain, Jr., was commander in chief of all U. S. forces in the Pacific during the Vietnam War. His grandfather also was a four-star admiral, his great-uncle an Army general during World War I. The Vietnamese had a dilemma - how to use this son/father relationship for their maximum benefit? The decision was reached to use Lt. Cmdr. John McCain for propaganda purposes. They were good at this - remember their use of the young and naïve actress, "Hanoi" Jane Fonda? The Vietnamese planned to use McCain by arranging for his early release, to publicly flaunt the early release of this "privileged" member of this elite military family to demoralize the remaining P.O.W.s and exploit the emotional feelings of societal class warfare. The Vietnamese offer to release John early clearly carried with it this obvious risk of their exploitation of the event - John recognized this.

Now I have never been a P.O.W., but what little I do know of what John McCain went through - even just his extremely poor medical condition - I have a hard time imaging the pain and the practical realities of what rejecting the Vietnamese offer would mean - more suffering and the real possibility of death.

While I encourage you to read Lt. Cmdr. John McCain's own words, written in 1973 (go to http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/2008/01/28/john-mccain-prisoner-of-war-a-first-person-account.html) but in a quick synopsis, on October 26, 1967, during his 23rd air mission, McCain´s plane was shot down during a bombing run over the North Vietnamese capital of Hanoi. When his fighter was shot down, John ejected from the plane and in the 500 knot wind blast, breaking his right leg around the knee, his right arm in three places, and his left arm. Upon his landing, a soldier slammed a rifle butt down on his shoulder, smashing it badly. Another stuck a bayonet into his foot. McCain was moved to Hoa Loa prison, nicknamed the "Hanoi Hilton," on December 9, 1969.

John McCain rejected the offer for early release. On Saturday night, he told the story and related that his captors told him that things would not go well for him. As things had not really gone well for him, the implications were clear.

Folks, you get decide what kind of President you want. I've the pleasure, and the misfortune, to met several law professors - at length. While some of them deserved to be on the bench, I never met one that I felt had the experience, critical decision making skills, and the strength of character that would make me proud to have them as my leader, and my Commander-in-Chief. I was a cold-war veteran, having served in the U.S Army in West Berlin in 1981-84. In October of 1981, we went on an alert, in response to the mobilization of the Soviet army. I believed we had less than 17 hours to live, based upon the latest war game models. My infantry buddies and I didn't need a lawyer, we needed a Commander. I don't need or want a Harvard law professor as my President. I want a hero with the unquestionable strength of character to make the right decision, even at his own detriment, as my President. I want John McCain as my next President. I hope you will agree.

Finally, I hope the format of these debates will not be prejudicial in getting these candidates fully vetted; the recent economic issues should not overshadow issues that are more directly under the control of the Chief Executive, such as foreign policy and the War against Terror.