Tim Bray puts in words what a lot of Canadians and people worldwide are thinking: Americans should fire their CEO. Unfortunately what the world thinks may not affect Americans that much. And why should it? The USA is the only elephant left in a crowd of ants, to use the same analogy Roy used. All of the ants just wait to see where the elephant sits for the next 4 years and try not to get crushed.

Here's a choice quote anyway:

"Let’s completely ignore the subject of whether they’re right or not; maybe Dubya is an enlightened, straight-arrow kind of guy who is just misunderstood. But consider the consequences. If you’re running a company and there’s a general perception that your CEO is an asshole, eventually it won’t matter that much whether he really is or isn’t; the perception will become an obstacle. And right now, the United States of America is facing that obstacle."

More: Also linked by Bray is Russell Beattie telling people to lean into it. I support Kerry too, and not because he's not George W. Bush. Ad hominem attacks are weak. The reason is simple: Republicans are less liberal than Democrats.

I don't see much of a personal difference between the candidates that's unrelated to their party affiliations. They are both wealthy out-of-touch white males. They are both exaggerating(/lying/half-truth telling) politicians desperate to be in the White House for four years. So think about which party's policies you agree with and go with that candidate. Even if it's Bush I'll be happier knowing you did it because it aligns with you, not because Kerry smells bad or because you think Bush is an idiot.

If one of the candidates was obviously off his rocker, that might have an impact. But that's just not the case in this election, so why make it personal? It's not a character election. It's a tight race and both candidates are probably going to try to make it personal in the next few weeks. Don't let them get away with it.