In politics, there is what is known as the 70/20/10 rule. Under it, 70% of a politician's approval comes from how he LOOKS, 20% comes from HOW he says it, and only 10% comes from WHAT he says. Let's apply this metric to the 2008 presidential race.

LOOKS:
Barack Obama: He looks calm, cool, and collected. He looks presidential, at least what we associate with a presidential demeanor. When attacked by his opponent, he smiles.

John McCain: He looks flustered, old, and tired. He makes faces while his opponent speaks and gives the impression that he could explode at any time. He has a reputation as Senator Hothead.

Advantage: Obama

HOW HE SAYS IT:
Barack Obama: A gifted orator, Obama speaks with polish and elan. He speaks with confidence and makes the listener believe that he believes what he is saying.

John McCain: He struggles to find words to say outside of well-worn campaign rhetoric, which inspires drinking games during his speeches. Understand, my friends? For a so-called foreign affairs expert in the Senate, he forgets the major players in the Middle East.

Advantage: Obama

WHAT HE SAYS:
Honestly, this is a wash because both parties are really not all that different in the end and the same behind-the-scenes power will be running the show.

Advantage: Neither

So, it appears that on the merits of looking more presidential and speaking better, Obama is going to run away with this election. John McCain looks too old, too flustered, too out-of-touch with the American people to raise much of a fight come election day.

If black Barack Obama were white Barry O'Brien, this election would have been over long ago, as many Republicans are now faced with the prospect of either voting for a black man for president or not voting at all. The Democrats and Independents have already turned the majority of votes for Obama.