It should be clear to any sensible observer that the two major candidates before us are not fully up to being president of the most powerful nation on earth. With Obama, we have a man who checks the political weather before making a decision. And then it takes days to receive the Annointed One's decision, which invariably amounts to voting “present.” After which he changes his mind again in order to create consensus with the new weather.

I don’t mind contradictions based on deep understanding, but isn’t it clear that this promising young man is not ready for prime time? In contrast to Mr. Obama, Senator McCain is singularly unreflective. He thinks leadership means making a quick decision, even if it’s the wrong decision.

As a result of these two extremes, there is no candidate of the enlightened middle. In other words, No Bill Clinton. Ever since Mr. Clinton’s demise, we’ve been ill-served in this country by a parade of pretenders. None of them has the wisdom, charisma, and foresight to walk in Clinton’s shoes. For all his experience, all his courageous bipartisanship, the mercurial John McCain still has not learned a basic lesson: think before you leap! His random choice of Sarah Palin, has, upon reflection, been seen as transparently political. Palin is an embarrassment. And McCain knows she is an embarrassment, which is why he chaperoned her second, and just as flawed, interview with Katie Couric, hardly the Grand Inquisitor.

If we could take both Palin and Obama off their respective tickets, we might have a real debate between experienced old hands, Biden and McCain. But, instead, the candidates drawing the most heat are both unprepared for the presidency and the vice-presidency.

Which leaves me a Hobson’s choice: pick McCain because at least his weaker half is on the bottom of the ticket, or pick Obama because at least he has a brain.

I hate a Hobson’s choice. I think there are other options: A. Write in Hillary; B. Don’t Vote; C. Vote for myself.

I am leaning towards C. Why? Because if Sarah Palin has taught America anything it’s that ANYONE, and I MEAN ANYONE, can be President. And if anyone can be president, why not someone who has traveled and read widely, who is near and dear to my heart, and who knows how to think.

Republicans are from Mars, Democrats are from Venus. We need a mixture of both.

I am that mixture. Vote Crotty.