It's very dangerous to confuse celebrity with leadership, especially in politics. The hundreds of thousands gathering are, in my opinion, gathering to hear him because he is a celebrity politician who isn't a Republican. Also, for the drama of the moment.

But that isn't what genuine political leadership is about.

I'll be voting for Obama, but I have to say, I'm not impressed with him, especially after the way he conducted himself in Israel, and the way he has maintained a Pentagon bubble around himself, separating himself from both the press and the people.

Compare that reception to Bill Clinton's in Northern Ireland. It isn't unprecedented, and it wasn't that long ago that an American president was welcomed in the same way by Europeans.

And meanwhile back at home, in some battleground states, the margin between Obama and McCain is gone, and has become a statistical tie.

Don't mistake crowd size for anything beyond the celebrity/charisma factor and the drama of the moment. At the end of the day, it really doesn't mean all that much. It also doesn't seem to be playing all that well at home, beyond the media echo chamber, that is.

So, if you truly want to see the Republicans out, don't get cocky or arrogant.