When John McCain gestured askance at Barak Obama during Tuesday night's debate in Nashville, referring to "that one," it was only one of a handful of condescending remarks that showed McCain to be a sad, old man - however distinguished - whose behavior smacked of desperation. Obama, composed as usual, seemed unfazed by McCain's attitude. He knew, it was obvious, that the approach was an arbiter of things to come ... good things, for him.

As the accusations flew, and old arguments and stumps were reiterated, Obama smiled and shook his head. Seeming to grasp at loose ends -- excepting his idea that a newly appointed Treasury Secy under his rule would buy up all the crappy loans (I would likely die a withered old death on life support waiting to see that happen, however) - McCain's remarks left voters on the CNN "like-o-meter" (not its real name) a bit limp. Men and women alike frowned digitally at McCain in orange and green, as if to say, "eew, how odious!" And which target voters remember a Tip O'Neill/Reagan accord, anyway? I think I was learning basic math at that time, and perhaps still wetting my pants. We don' t need a bi-partisan history lesson now, but rather something from both candidates that is not a stale stump speech.

After the whole debate -- which, as an aside, was quite entertaining, though my step mother snored through the second half, complemented by my baby farting in sleepy solidarity with Obama -- swing state undecided voters said not much had changed for them.

I am always wary, too, when someone who wants something from me (money, a vote, booty of any kind) addresses me as "my friend" - when they are anything but. I've heard a lot of that this week down here in Zihuatanejo, MX, where I stole away Shawshank-style with my child and immediate family to bury my head in the sand and bake my brain during the various U.S. crises we are undergoing. Except I left the country legally and did not break out of any prison other than a mental space.

McCain is not "my friend," nor do I suspect he won many new ones with his usage of same words last Tuesday. He started to seem like a Carny. With 28 days to go and the economy plummeting (renewed energy resources would be a good start for both candidates), McCain must stop parroting Obama even though he's an old man with cold-war era ideologies, and Obama must start using rhetoric that smart people like us can break down instead of typical political empty promises.

That said, Obama's lead is widely seen to be increasing, and if he can get a bit more specific on his health care plan, I think "that one" is going to win. Meanwhile, I'll be here, dulling my brain with tequila and not watching CNN international (which is best used to put oneself to sleep after too many margaritas).