Mrs. Editor here. I made one of my few treks with the Editor to the debates last night and thought I’d give my impressions. First, those of you that don’t go to these things should make the effort to go to at least one as your civic duty. It wasn’t nearly as awful as I thought it would be in a lot of ways….and just as painful as Id imagine in others.

On the republican side McEwen really stood out. He’s got the look. He’s a real politician, sort of resembling the Bill Clinton Saturday Night Live character. I would be tempted to vote for him just because he knows the ropes. He already knows who to go to to get things done. I’m sure a lot of people owe him a lot of favors. He had the supporters there, the yard signs everywhere. This man is in it to win. He really made the others look like amateurs.

While I don’t think he has much of chance Eric Minamyer was probably the one who had something real about him. Granted he gave the standard republican fare but there was some depth to him. I also think in a few years Mr. Mink could be a contender.

I thought it was funny how all 11 of them went on at length about what a horrible job congress has been doing. Schmidt even spoke of the utter failure of No Child Left Behind. They talked about the horrible fiscal management of the past few years. I don’t know much about politics or history but aren’t they in control? I guess it’s like talking about ones mother or family…ok if I do it but you better not. I’m also going to assume since we missed the first part that the republican candidates did all of the talking about bringing jobs to Ohio, funding better schools, healthcare, and improving the local economy earlier because by the end it was about keeping us safe from terror, protecting marriage, and above all else the life of the unborn. Which would have been great if Al-Qida has detailed maps of Lebanon getting ready for invasion and I rekon that the bunch of gay people who are developing plans to end all marriage could be considered a serious matter to some especially if you’re a newlywed…you see where I’m going with this. Anyways, it wasn’t meant for me so the people who needed to hear it did…I guess.

As for the democrats, well I can say is ‘Lord bless them.’ Where the republicans were very serious and staged, Paul Hackett and the Funky Bunch had a great time. Hackett, Katz, and Sanders were all seated at the end and seemed to get on very well. Agreeing and nodding when they agreed with what one said; not to mention the chuckling and ribbing that seemed to be going on. Getting along and laughing…interesting.

Arthur Katz is an 80 something gentleman who I wish was 30 years younger. Only time can create that kind of wisdom and common sense. Unfortunately, his kind of honesty and conviction is of an era long gone.

I won’t say anything about those I didn’t like but I have to say I was slightly disappointed with Wulsin. I really liked what I was reading about her and her supporters but it didn’t translate in person. She didn’t seem to know what she intends to do or at least she didn’t articulate it well. Very nice lady and seems to be very smart but I need her to show it.

Mr. Paul Hackett, the one in my opinion with a real chance of winning. First, this was my first time meeting this man and I must admit after reading the report by Pam and some other things I was pretty sure he was going to be a plastic ken doll. Let me just say to Pam, get new glasses. Men (editor included) might want to scroll down a minute because this will be uncomfortable. The man is hot. I mean JFK Jr. cute. Tall and lean with finely weathered bronzed skin and a smile you can’t help but smile back at. Working his suit and french blue oxford shirt nicely you could tell he’d kill for jeans and a polo. All kidding aside (not that I was kidding) my instincts say this is a good man. (My instincts are always right just ask the editor) He looks you in the eye; his are confident and clear and surprisingly open. He’s a regular guy who wants a chance to step up to the plate and do something good. (As much as I hate cliché soldier references dammit) the man did just that that in going to Iraq. I think he has the kahuna’s to actually say what he means and do the right thing. I say “think” because he hasn’t really come out of his shell just yet but I think he will. He’s talking about common sense. He didn’t talk in circles or cute little sound bites. I forgot the actual quote but when the republican and others were asked about the size of the role of the federal government in our lives Hackett was the only one who said Hey, federal government has its place in our lives and helps us do a lot but it doesn’t belong everywhere and it doesn’t belong in our bedroom. I don’t remember how he said it exactly but I wanted to clap because he was right on the money. Know your role.

Well at the risk of sounding like a Hackett commercial I say you really have to meet this guy and talk to him to get what I mean. That’s not estrogen talking either….. but he is damned cute.