If there’s one thing to believe in, it’s parking karma. No, really.

There are examples I could give that work in favor of either sides, but we don’t have to look too far back to what happened when we voted for the guy we could have a beer with. And it definitely wasn’t Al Gore.

A new Associated Press-Ipsos poll says 55 percent of those surveyed consider honesty, integrity and other values of character the most important qualities they look for in a presidential candidate. Just one-third look first to candidates’ stances on issues; even fewer focus foremost on leadership traits, experience or intelligence.

So during my breaks at the cafe, I usually sit there reading some dumb magazine to pass by my 15/30 minutes. Today, I pulled out my phone and read the news instead. What good is internet on my phone for if not to read the news, right?

There was an op-ed on the NY Times by David Brooks, the lone conservative columnist (I think) whose pieces I don’t usually jump to read, but this one shed some light as to why I am so unbelievably peeved by McCain/Palin now and why I didn’t support Obama initially. It’s the marketing. The diversion from the policies, and especially in this election, the redirection to who/what is more novel. And I’m PISSED because McCain just got really good at this game.

That was written on a sign held up at the Republican National Convention. I’m not sure what’s more ironic, that sign or this entire election campaign.

I finally watched Palin’s speech yesterday. It was well-written and well-delivered, but without substance. It was filled with cheap shots, sarcasm and blatant lies. It was juvenile and expected of someone who is unqualified for the job trying to distract from her deficiencies. This was her chance to prove herself and show that she has some command of domestic and foreign policy and she missed it.

When did social ideologies take precedence over economic, foreign, environmental policies?