>>>Obama's personality and his approach to many social issues, and McCain's judgment on national security would work for me just fine. Unfortunately you can't vote for both by percentage and given the real responsibilities of the President national security trumps everything. The other stuff, besides court appointments, really is not under his control (the economy, schools, health care etc)
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>>But given McCains health and his choice of VP are you making the most secure choice. You may vote McCain and end up with something very different.
>>I'm surprised the constitution doesn't enforce an election is the President dies in office and regard the VP as someone to hold the fort till that happens..
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>A legitimate concern (though as you may know, the oldest man to ever be nominated for President was joined at the convention by ... his mother! ( reminiscent of the Queen Mum <s> )
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>Of course any President leans heavily on the national security apparatus. the President has to exercise judgment but the mechanics and a good deal of policy are in the hands of the NSC, the JCS and the intelligence agencies. Those appointments - and relationships - are crucial. Afghanistan got the green-light from W but was the product of people like Cofer Black. I am not as concerned about Palin surrounded by staff picked by McCain as I am about Obama surrounded by staff picked by Obama. To be clear, i don't think Obama would be Jimmy Carter, but I am afraid the signal to noise ratio within the national intelligence apparatus would be higher than necessary. McCain understands the mechanics of that infrastructure better, Leiberman will undoubtedly be at the Cabinet level and I find that comforting.
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>That said, I don't think Obama is as deluded on national security as his most rabid detractors contend, and I'm sure he's a very quick study.
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>The one to watch is Dr. Susan Rice. She may well be NSA in an Obama administration (Conde Rice's first job in Bush II ) That means more on Darfur (good thing) but I think she was also part of the Clinton admin decision to not take bin Laden from Sudan when they offered him up (she was under sec of state for Africa under Clinton)
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>And I am concerned about any influence from Jimmy Carter, who I am sure is quite well intentioned but I am equally sure is as deluded now as he was from 76 - 81

As ever we differ on that.

I like carter and think he was a good president and has done good work since. He's almost European :-)