Change and Hope. And Decency.

This has never happened to me before, this passionate interest in a political contest. Joe has been following it with a greater intensity than ever, too. There's always been a decided preference for one candidate over the other, but nothing like this. The other night, as we sat out on the deck after dinner, we tried to analyze what was at the root.

As I try -- admittedly awkwardly (how I wish I had Chez's confidence of phrasology!) -- to unpack this, I must begin by stating that I am not attempting to reiterate any Great Truths, to produce a Profound Analysis, or anything like that. I'm just wanting to sort and pinpoint my own impressions and feelings. Certainly there are other valid viewpoints. Supporters of other candidates could argue from their own positions, and their impressions, thoughts, and feelings would be just as true for them. Mrs. Clinton's and Mr. McCain's supporters surely recognize attributes in them that don't resonate for me.

It has to do with two keywords from Barack Obama's campaign: Change and hope.

It has been so long since I have felt respect for the individual holding the highest office in our land.

A few weeks ago we watched the movie "Bobby," and we remembered anew the excitement and hope we had felt about his candidacy. Bobby represented change and hope. We felt we could see a basic, underlying decency in this man. And we wanted that in the White House. We were denied that opportunity.

Over the many subsequent years, we began to believe that we'd not have another. We'd come to think it was a once in a lifetime phenomenon. We endured wars, recessions, inequitable taxation, and philandering at the hands of our elected leaders. We believed another Bobby would never come along.

But he did, and we really believe this is our last opportunity. Twice in a lifetime was unlikely. Thrice is unimaginable.

Change and hope. Decency. A possibility that through this leader, our country could once again earn the respect of other nations.

In a way, it is sad that this is what it comes down to: Decency. It should be a given that anyone who would aspire to the presidency and did not have the right character would be eliminated early on; that both of the final candidates would be decent, honorable people.

A colleague who is a Hillary supporter said to me sadly yesterday, "She's a good woman." Another friend believes to his very core that John McCain has the qualities that we need now. I am glad that they feel that way; there remains the possibility that come next November I might have to ask one of them to help me understand these admirable traits that they perceive in their candidates. And, if it comes to that, I will ask them. I so need to feel good about our leader.

But right now I'm feeling very, very good about my candidate. The one who -- to me -- represents consistency and trustworthiness. Opportunity. Hope and change. And decency.