The American Spectator

“And just what direction would that be?” I wondered

“North by Northeast. We need to be headed South by Southwest.”

“Interesting. Tell me, Mr. Arbuthnot, is there a way out of this —”

“Quagmire?”

“Very nicely said,” I told him.

“It requires a new resolve in Washington to pass any legislation,” he continued, “but it’s going to get worse before it gets better, which I should add is also true of the economy, Afghanistan, climate change and, well, just about everything.”

“What is your take on Obama?”

“Obama is doing his best but nothing seems to work,” Mr. Arbuthnot noted. “People like him personally but he’s lost his mojo. His campaign needs to fire up the base.”

“Boy, you said an empty mouthful there,” I smiled.

“Even many of his most diehard supporters are disenchanted,” noted Mr. A, adding, “Obama seems to be drifting, but Romney hasn’t really caught fire either.”

“Mitt’s record with Bain Capital was impressive,” I reminded him.

“And let’s not forget he saved the Olympic Games,” added Mr. Arbuthnot. “He has good management skills, but will that translate to government?”

“Running a company is not the same as running a country…” I cut in.

“Hey, that was my line! You’re stepping on my clichés.”

“My apologies,” I said. “So how about the debt crisis?”