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I chose McCain; although with no enthusiasm.

I do not trust either Ms. Clinton or Mr. Obama. They each make lavish promises, but say little about how such largess will be paid for.

In a way, I must regard the campaign as tragic. We face quite a number of challenges - a national debt above $9,000,000,000,000 and growing, the flow of funds from Medicare (about to go negative) and Social Security (going negative in a few years), energy costs and availability, and a resurgent China among them. There is no national debate of the issues or the solutions.

Some sources report that a third of students won't graduate from High School; others argue that the numbers are actually less. But whatever the numbers, they hint at problems when our students attempt to compete in the global economy. And what solutions do we see? Other than throwing money at the problem, of course. Nothing, so far as I can tell.

I doubt that any of the three will withdraw from Iraq, campaign rhetoric notwithstanding. The consequences of withdrawing would hit Americans in the gas tank rather quickly. I question whether Ms. Clinton or Mr. Obama would treat the troops well, and I suspect their policies would make the task of our soldiers more difficult. If I'm in error, I will look forward to correction.

We needed someone who could lead, and who would lead well; none of the three strike me as that person. I suspect that whoever is elected will be quite unpopular by 2011. We'll have an even greater need for a statesman. I hope he (or she) appears by the next cycle.