I didn't watch the debate last night. As a West Coast resident I got plenty of warning about the nature of the "discourse," so I decided to spare myself. But I saw some video clips, read some coverage, saw some images. One image in particular haunts me. You've probably seen it. Barack standing tall with his eyes closed . . . the embodiment of disappointment.
Which got me to thinking about dignity. He has it. No one else on that stage last night did. I think it's one of the things I most admire in him. He had to feel a bit ike a lamb in the slaughterhouse, but he maintained his dignity. Just as he has through the silly season and the mud-slinging and the contrived outrage and the guilt-by-association and the fear-mongering and . . . all of it.
He is a man who knows himself and is true to himself. He's authentic.
And if any one person can restore the dignity of an entire country, I believe he's the one to do it.