Political Observations from AJ

Admittedly, although I have voted for Democrats in the past, I tend to overwhelmingly go Republican. And I'm hoping this race for the White House will be like the Breeders' Cup Classic of last week.

As they came around for the final turn, favored Curlin held the lead. But underdog Raven's Pass found an additional late gear and pulled out the win.

I'm wishing Sen. John McCain can find similar success over the next few days.

President George W. Bush's tenure in office hasn't been the best. His time served will be defined by the war on terror and our troubling econony. But the war is just that, a war on terror. I wasn't pleased about the war but this war was going to happen there or here. Where did you want it to be held?

But to say the last eight years have been a failure isn't accurate. Bush was the Commander and Chief we needed in the critical period that followed the tragedy of September 11, 2001.

Two memories of the days that followed those attacks will live with me the remainder of my life.

The first was at Logan Airport in Boston on the day air travel was allowed to return. The first plane out that morning, I believe a United aircraft, started to taxi down the runway. As the plane moved in motion, its pilot held out an American flag.

It was a sight our country needed to see. That pilot sent a message to the world that morning. This is America, the greatest nation in the world, and we will get past this terrible time.

The second image that remains prevalent was at Yankee Stadium before game three of the World Series between Arizona and the New York Yankees.

President Bush was asked to throw out the first pitch. Bush wanted to return normalcy to our great nation although the government had warned of potential new attacks.

The 43rd Commander in Chief donned a navy blue FDNY sweatshirt. He looked up to the stands and gave a thumbs up to the nervous crowd.

His offering, a perfect strike, was hauled in by Yankee back-up catcher Todd Greene. It was only a baseball game but it was an extremely presidential moment. The crowd roared its approval by repeating, "U.S.A., U.S.A."

Joe Torre would later talk about the pitch. "He has wanted us right from the get-go to do what we need to do, to live as normal as we can. He showed courage and class."

The next president will also need to have courage and class. I know what I'm getting with McCain. I can't say the same about Sen. Barack Obama.

It disturbs me that Obama has suggested that we take the day off from school and work on Tuesday. He must believe the economy is in better shape than the rest of us. Imagine being a small business owner and hearing that Obama doesn't want your employees to work.

Obama must believe if you get fired...don't worry. The government will take care of you. Here's a candidate who wants to raise taxes during these tough economic times.

What Obama won't talk about is how the surge has worked and how the Democrats have controlled Congress the last two years. I'm still trying to figure out how McCain and the Republicans got blamed when the economy went south last month.

There's plenty of blame to go around. You can even go back to the Clinton Administration when they demanded we be politically correct concerning all matters.

I just can't trust Obama. He wants to tax hard working people and give money to those who pay no taxes at all. He appears to be in favor of socialism. How is McCain losing to this guy?

He attacks Joe the Plumber, yet it was Obama who was looking for a photo opportunity when he approached Joe. The want-to-be small business owner asked a simple question and finally got a straight answer out of Obama. It back-fired on the Democrat.

Questionable past relationships of Obama's seem to continue to come up. Is it just a coincidence that Obama landed in corrupt Chicago to begin his political career?

It is worth noting that as many as three Supreme Court Justices may retire during the next administration. We already have a Democratic house and senate. Conservatives can't afford a liberal president, one who voted against the appointments of John Roberts and Samuel Alito.

A friend of mine emailed me a couple of pictures last year of Obama scrimmaging with the University of North Carolina basketball team.

I was told then that Obama held his own and made some nice shots. I'm glad the outcome of this race won't be settled playing one-on-one on the basketball court. Obama would have a gigantic edge.

The liberal national media would like for you to think this race is over. Now I see why Obama has been urging people to get out and vote early. The truth is the race is tightening.

Here's hoping that McCain can overcome Obama and the liberal media. I just don't know. I want to believe in the American people but I'm fearing Tuesday will be a great day for the Democrats and a terrible day for America.