Would that it were true that which candidate you would like to have dinner with is not a germane question in the election.

However, it seems clear that it did in fact play a role in the 2000 election. Obviously, so did the Supreme Court. But many voters felt that Gore was somewhat unapproachable and full of himself--and that GWB was a person they'd enjoy having a beer with.

It's a revolting development, that that attitude seemed be significant to many of the sheep who voted for Bush--and that there are so many of them.

But the comfort level with a candidate seems to still be a factor.

Straw in the wind:    A Newsweek columnist, who says point blank she never could vote for McCain-Palin, because of Roe vs Wade, says nevertheless: "I'd rather crack open a Red Bull and sit down with her than with Barack Obama. Likability counts in electoral politics--especially for voters who are on the fence."

And McCain comes across as a likable guy too.

Obama has established that he is a serious guy, with serious solutions to problems. Maybe he needs to show more of a sense of humor-- or something else to connect with the voters who insist on having a beer with their president.

You can deny this--but at your peril.