Thanks dreemer for helping me out.

PRESSmUP--I am still working my way through your link, not ignoring your response.  Thanks. Your linked article has a bazillion links included, which you say is par for the course.

I think both sides make mountains out of molehills frequently, and if it is not the campaign itself, it is the media, which I still believe is biased to the left. McCain has usually had a pretty good relationship with the media, I believe, which may be helping him some now. IIRC, there was a point where BO wouldn't take more than a couple questions at any one time. I don't know if that is still the case. IMO, BO doesn't do well if he has to speak "off the top of his head." Only in a "prepared text " environment can he seem to do his thing.

Sandy