I am no expert on politics in the US. Don't get me wrong, I watch CNN, I read up on the candidates, and I am well aware that as America goes, so follows the world, in many areas of life.  Lately I have been following both candidates via the miracle of CNN and satellite TV, and I am quite amused about the whole elections "show", and how the McCain/Palin ticket has stolen the thunder of the Democrats (Obama who?). In Europe politics tends to be much darker than in the US - there seems to be a general pessimism here among the people that no matter who is elected, all politicians want to do is line their own pockets, or revel in the sense of power that the job gives them. There may be a sense of truth in that but I think Europe needs to discover the sense of public service, patriotism and pride in serving your country that the US has. I read somewhere that every Presidential election since Roosevelt's win over Hoover has gone to the candidate who strikes people as the sort of guy they'd rather meet for a cup of coffee or just to hang-out with. I do not know if this has been scientifically proven but It would certainly seem to be the case in recent elections: Clinton v. Bush (Snr) Clinton v. Dole GWB v Gore GWB v Kerry So, let's apply this test to the current US candidates shall we? I shall ONLY be considering this test, and NOT the candidate's strengths, weaknesses, positions and aptitude for the coveted CEO of the world job.

• Barrack Obama has got the sexy factor, man. I mean the dude is REALLY charismatic. That goes a long way in the "cup of coffee test". The guy connects with the average Joe sitting in front of the TV screen. I mean, he is Bill Clinton, in chocolate, less the sax.
• John McCain is not so charismatic - He looks like a grandfather figure - but man, the guy is a war hero! C'mon! In terms of connecting with the average Joe, he cannot beat Obama on the screen, but he performs really well in debates and town hall meetings.
• McCain would probably entertain me for hours with war stories and all of his experiences
• Obama strikes me (a total outsider) as the guy who would research me in order to know my likes and dislikes and then just talk about all the things he thinks I would want to talk about just because that would put him in my good books.
• McCain looks as if he is the real deal - what you see is what you get, he has gone through hell, has come back to tell the story, and he is not going to put up with your bull excrement.

I think that all in all I would probably want to have coffee with McCain in any event, if only for the quality and wealth of conversation to be had with him.   There you have it then folks - my predictions come November is that McCain will win the elction, only because I would prefer him in my house, over Obama, in order to have a coffee and a chat with.