Frontline’s Biographies of Both McCain and Obama

Did you see Frontline last night? They broadcast biographies emphasizing the adult lives of both candidates. I liked the way they did it by segments about one candidate at a point in his life, followed by a segment of the other candidate at about the same age, then back to the first candidate for another segment. The show may be repeated and I urge you politicaholics to watch it.

The candidate's lives and their paths up to this point in their careers are significantly different. McCain spent much of his early life resisting authority by disobeying the rules as much as he could get away with. He didn't plan his life; he reacted to whatever was visited upon him. Apparently he didn't have a close and loving relationship with his father.

Obama was curious about everything, and gave thoughtful consideration to life happening around him. He was always a good student. Although he didn't know his father until Barack Sr. visited for a month when Barack Jr. was ten years old, he got a lot of love, attention and education from his mother.

The Frontline program brings out the stark differences between the two candidates. My conclusion at the end was that McCain has a reactive personality. Although as a senator and presidential candidate, he does make detailed plans, and he is strong in his stubborness. My criticism is that he is too willing to abandon his ideals to achieve his goals.

Obama is very proactive and spends a lot of time and thought planning how he will reach his goals. He doesn't always get what he wants on the first try, but sticks to his guns and his ideals and keeps trying until he wins. The program reveals that he is far from being inexperienced and is actually a seasoned politician.

I doubt if what you see in the Frontline program will change you mind about your favorite candidate, but it might give you a better vision of what makes the candidates tick.