Are the editorial writers at the Lakeland Ledger and I thinking alike, or what? Now, that's a scary thought.

Yesterday before leaving for work I posted some thoughts about the presidential debates. At the time I had not seen the Ledger, either in print or online. I wrote:

...it's simply ridiculous that the candidates, through their representatives, argue over the most minute points such the temperature of the venue and the height of the podiums. They have about as many rules/riders in their agreement than a rock star...

I get to work and read the editorial, part of which reads:

Tonight's first presidential debate is governed by a 32page "memorandum of understanding." It is more-detailed in demands than the last contract between The Lakeland Center and a visiting pop star.

BTW: That visiting pop star would have been Cher, had it not been for our unwanted visitor Jeanne. Two divas in the same area is just TOO MUCH...

As for the debate, it went according to plan. Neither candidate slipped on the proverbial banana peel, and both were able to hit all the necessary talking points per plan. Overall, John Kerry came across better, but he still needs a shot of passion in his presentation.

If you really want to watch an intertaining debate --- seriously, folks --- go to World Wrestling Entertainment's Website, then click on the "Smackdown Your Vote Youth Debate" link at the right of the page and watch the hour video. Two WWE superstars, Mick Foley and John "Bradshaw" Layfield debated the candidates' positions on education, Iraq, and the economy. They were joined by two University of Miami students (the event was held in Coral Gables Wednesday evening), and later by two of the youngest members of the Florida Legislature.

This was part of the WWE's Smackdown Your Vote project to increase voting among it's main fan base, 18-30 year olds. Say what you want about professional wrestling, but the business --- and the performers --- are much more savvy than the guys that sweated at the National Guard Armory on Thursday night years ago. Foley has authored several well received children's books, and Layfield is well known for his stock market acumen and until not too long ago was a regular on CNBC. They actually representated themselves quite well, and argued the issues with a purpose that both the real candidates should watch and learn from.

Oh, and I see where I guess it does pay to be a presidential lapdog. Congressman Adam Putnam, who rarely has time to get his lips off the backside of George W. Bush when he's not walking in lockstep with the administration, apparantly got some payback by getting a seat on the powerful House Rules Committee.