*****2008 RNC CONVENTION MEETS JOHN MCCAIN*****

"Who is this man and can we trust this man with the Presidency"?

That statement in a nutshell, frames the conversation for the remaining 60 days of this election contest. That question... posed by former Tennessee Senator and 2008 presidential candidate, Fred Thompson, about Senator John McCain, was the 'take away' expression of the night, and will resonate in the minds of the electorates all the way to the voting booth.

Using his deft oratory gift to tout McCain's military career and his 25+ years in the U.S. Senate, Thompson reminded Republicans, "Democrats and Women for McCain", and Independents that "Character, judgment and leadership in our president is most important in a President".

Challenging those in the media and the left leaning critics to stop the vicious attacks on Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin's children, particularly the 17-year old daughter who is pregnant with child, Thompson segued into his hardest hitting critique of Obama:

"...we need a President who doesn't think that the protection of the unborn or a newly born baby is above his pay grade. The man who will be that President is John McCain."

Hammering home McCain/Palin's theme: "Put country first"... Thompson shared with Americans that McCain can't salute the flag because he is unable to lift his arms above his head due to the torture he endured as a Prisoner Of War. He admonished voters to "do what is right for our country... and step up and stand up with John McCain".

Following that tough message delivered by Thompson was former Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Joe Lieberman. Although not as thunderous in his presentation, Lieberman quietly dismantled Obama's candidacy and looked straight into the eye of the camera to talk straight to the American people... solemnly asking they move beyond voting for Obama... but instead embrace the new McCain paradigm where "Country matters more than party".

Can Obama or McCain Think Outside the Box?

The rumor mills are rife as to who this year's presidential candidates will select to fill the coveted Vice Presidential positions on their tickets. As the national Democratic and Republican conventions are fastly approaching, speculations continue to swirl that both Senators Obama and McCain may make unprecedented moves and reach across the aisle to select a running mate.

A Republican senator from Nebraska, Chuck Hagel's name is being tossed about as being on the short list of Democratic hopeful Obama... while long-time friend, confidant and Connecticut senator, Joe Lieberman's name is being bantered about as GOP nominee McCain's choice. Talk about throwing the 2008 Presidential election into a tailspin and risking Blue States turning Red and Red States possibly turning Blue! If such a scenario should indeed happen, it would be a political quagmire and throw the electorate into a perplexing conundrum.

Just how would an Obama/Hagel versus McCain/Lieberman showdown really be received to a voting population who says they prefer an end to partisan bickering and unity of this nation? And... more importantly, how would a very liberal Obama work with a staunch conservative like Hagel... and can a semi-conservative McCain realistically share power with the quasi-liberal Lieberman? Either of these pairings would be viewed as an insult by the loyalists in their respective parties, but seen as a bold move–– signaling a forward 'thinkingness' on the part of Obama or McCain to the all-too capricious independent and swing voters.

This being an unusual election year, and with a growing divide in the country at this time, the candidate with the chutzpah to couple with someone of a totally different political persuasion may be able to pull off such a feat... and also win points among those in the heartland of America.

While such a daring reach-across-the-aisle move is not new and has been tried unsuccessfully before (history buffs often refer to the ill-defined administration of President John Adams/Vice President Thomas Jefferson) this noble effort could make this 'history-making' election season even more unique and controversial.

Without a doubt, it would take a self-assured, confident leader––one who could withstand the harsh and relentless criticism from all sides–– to put forth a bi-partisan, Democrat/Republican, power sharing Presidential ticket for the first time in this generation. Well, who knows... McCain or Obama may be that sort of leader.

Far-fetched as it may seem... this may be the time for one (or both) of these Presidential wanna-bes to "think outside the box" ... and this may just be what is needed to coalesce this nation to move an agenda forward for the good of the people!