Walking 9 dogs then dancing to Bollywood music.

My joy or happiness does not depend primarily on the minor presidential portion of the election. Granted, I'll be very pleased if Obama wins ... but that would be destroyed by my complete depression if Prop H8 passes.

Starting my stopwatch on how long it will be before Israel attacks Iran.

(Note: That's regardless of which candidate wins)

Moonnliner, I wonder if that's what Biden was referring to regarding his "Obama will be tested within 6 months and the left isn't going to like his response" comment.

I don't think he had any specific action in mind. He was preaching to the converted at the time. I'd guess he was just saying thanks in a weird way.

"Hey, you guys helped us get elected and now you are going to be an important part of this administration down the line"

Plus Biden forgot that pretty much everyone on the planet now carries TV studio in their pocket and just about anything he says anytime/anywhere will be recorded.

Also, the Israel/Iran thing (in my opinion) will be very deliberately timed to happen after the election and before Obama (or I suppose McCain) takes office.

Perhaps. Why do you suppose that will be the timing?

I could see that (assuming you meant Israel/Iran) being engineered from a timing standpoint before the election as an October surprise to shift the focus to international events rather than domestic, which boosts McCain immensely.

I will make it perfectly clear that timing it politically with Israel would be wrong. It is going to happen eventually, though, so I could see it happening in that time frame. It would be very interesting to see what would happen if that took place in the next week. Since it was already leaked that the Bush admin told Israel they couldn't support any action, there is plausable deniability, but there is NO question that the Obama camp would be screaming from the rooftops about it.

Because you KNOW that McCain has to have something up his sleeve. October surprises are as much a part of Presidential elections as debates. The Powell endorsement was almost assuredly timed to be two weeks from the election, and Obama has gotten the boost they were looking for. It's been known since August that Powell would be endorsing Obama, and I do not take Powell at his word that he only recently came to a decision on it.

Iran, My bad.

1. Israel believes something needs to be done about Iran's nuclear program

2. Israel needs the support of America, not just in regards to this action but as a nation in general.

3. If they are seen as mucking about in our presidential election that could cause a serious backlash. By striking during the lame duck period, they accomplish their goal, Obama is not tarnished, the people of America don't see it as an US election dodge, and Bush well he's irrellivant at this point.

I guess it depends on how much confidence Israel has that Obama will continue to support them....do they feel like they have to have McCain in office so much that they do it prior to the election?

Your theory, however, is much more likely.