Sex, cities and Maine

On Saturday, candidates John McCain and Barack Obama answered questions from evangelical pastor Rick Warren. Sen. McCain said human rights begin at conception, while Sen. Obama reiterated his
support for legalized abortion. The candidates also both claimed to be Christian, and stated their definitions of their faith. Does this sort of forum create a religious test for the
White House? Are the morality and faith of a candidate relevant to the process by which voters choose the president? Do their beliefs come into play when they face crises? Or is
this so much pandering to voters?

The two-time presidential candidate, former senator and 2004 Democrati vice-presidential nominee confessed his affair to his wife and children, and when it was confirmed publicly, admitted it and expressed regret. Does the ego that convinces men
they can be president also lead to infidelity? Or are politicians no different in this regard than other men? Should a candidate who divorced over infidelity be considered unfit for
office?

Does a candidate's running mate have to share his views on such powerful issues? If Sen. McCain wants to see abortion made illegal again, and his running mate believes it should
stay legal, is this a mixed message to the electorate? Or are these issues less significant than tax policy, foreign policy, energy and budget management?

Last week, the Tax Foundation announced that it had recalculated tax burden — taxes paid compared to personal income — for the entire country. After years of blasting Maine for having the highest, or nearly the highest, tax burden in the country, the group said Maine now ranks 15th and was never higher than fifth. The amount of taxes Mainers pay hasn’t changed, but the notion that they are too onerous has eased. Is tax reform still needed? What about consolidation to reduce government spending? Isn’t that the real problem, no matter how tax burden is calculated?

NBC has been broadcasting the Olympics for decades. By now, couldn’t the network find commentators who don’t call a race before it is over — and they are proved wrong as happened when Rowdy Gaines and Dan Hicks were certain the French would win the men’s 4x100 swim relay? Or blather about tiny mistakes without noting the positive in a breathtaking gymnastics routine? Is the Olympic coverage too America-centric? Do you want to see the best performances, regardless of the country the athletes are from? Or, should the focus be on Americans in competition, no matter the outcome?