Let It Be or We Gotta Get out of This Place?

In the New York Times Week In Review, Peter Baker discusses the proper role of a president in waiting as a game of follow the leader. One the one hand McCain and Obama want to appear ready to lead, on the other hand both candidates, especially Obama, want to distance themselves from an administration where “nobody’s leading.” During the first debate the candidates answered questions about how they would lead, most notably through the financial crisis and out of Iraq. Baker sees these questions as nothing new in history, even if they are being answered earlier than usual. He points to the transition between Hoover and F.D.R. as an example of a transition during economic turmoil. The question of Iraq echoes the transition from Johnson to Nixon with Vietnam. Both candidates already have transition teams but don’t want to appear too eager, as Obama did with his seal, or they risk a backlash. While Baker’s ideas are sound, unless I missed the point, shouldn’t the American people want a candidate that’s ready to lead, especially in what is considered a time of turmoil? NY Times - Waiting to Lead (Or Not): http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/28/weekinreview/28baker.html?_r=1&scp=4&sq=Peter%20baker&st=cse&oref=slogin