National Service Forum

I'm halfheartedly watching the national service forum at Columbia University and nearly fell out of my chair when I heard Obama say something to the effect that he was listening to McCain discussing the question of the racial composition of the military. After the Saddleback forum, the media created a controversy by suggesting the McCain had been listening to some of Obama's answer and that there wasn't a so-called "cone of silence" (that was an off the cuff joke by Rick Warren, by the way). I wonder if they'll question why Obama was allowed to listen to McCain's answers or if they'll give him a free pass on this. I predict talk radio will have a good time with this, as they should.

Also, Judy Woodruff just said that "Tonight is not a night to focus on contrasts between you and Senator McCain, but help us understand how you see the role of government in all of this differently from the way he does." Obama's answer started with, "Listening to his presentation..." It's probably just as well that McCain lost the coin toss that decided the order tonight. He would have taken a lot of heat for admitting what Obama has about listening to the other candidates answers.