Tough Business.

My friends, the Straight Talk Express pulled into the station yesterday. I hope you saw it, because it will likely depart in a New York minute after the campaigns resume today. Yesterday’s truce between the Obama and McCain camps was laudable in respect of the anniversary of the attacks of September 11, and the forum held at Columbia University was a refreshing reminder of what a campaign could be if the candidates were regularly engaged in intelligent conversations about their vision of the America they wish to lead.

When asked about Sarah Palin’s remarks diminishing Barack Obama’s experience as a community organizer, McCain responded “Of course I respect community organizers, of course I respect people who serve their community, and Senator Obama’s record there is outstanding.” What is notable is McCain’s initial response "This is a tough business." It would have been an interesting moment, in light of this admission, if this were followed-up with “Do you think Barack Obama called Sarah Palin a pig?”

It was refreshing to have at least one day in the midst of a long campaign in which the rhetoric was at rest.