Calm, Cool, Collected....Hello Mr. President

Tonight's final debate before the Ohio and Texas primaries March 4 between Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton solidified Obama's stance as the front runner for the Democratic presidential nomination.

The ball was in Hillary's court tonight and she dropped it. In a feeble attempt to appear tough and aggressive, she came off desperate and slightly maniacal (note the borderline sociopathic laughter). Obama took her jibes in stride, his tone remaining even and cool throughout the debate. He answered every question with balance and clarity, sidestepping the swipes Clinton aimed at his foreign policy and inexperience. In fact, he came off stronger on foreign policy than she did in my opinion. Like always, he told it like it is.

Clinton has run a fierce fight, but her momentum, whatever's left of it, is rapidly dwindling. While she focused on being snarky and trying to appear larger than she really is, Obama let her look like a certified maniac and did not rise to her bluffs. It's this behavior of Clinton that worries me most about her.

Obama made a great point about her being ready to given into Bush's desires on Day One when she voted for the war in Iraq - and I can see how she might have thought that voting for a big, grizzly war would make her seem all tough in Congress. But I don't want a president who's only going to rise to occasion or act rashly because she is trying to prove herself to America or the outside world as a viable leader. That's the same kind of crap that got us in this war. Obama could lead with his eyes closed and still have it all in control - his cool demanor tonight bolstered that perception. He is solid and confident and that is more important in gaining the respect of foreign leaders than standing up with his chest puffed up and an army tank behind him. He needs none of that to lead - he will use his head and his heart and some good old fashioned common sense. The man has IT.

His performance was the final blow to her campaign, I think, and I am anxious to see how Texas and Ohio vote next week. No matter the outcome, Obama proved himself tonight to be the level-headed, firm and honest person that America needs to see in the White House.