“That much of today’s conversation online is unconstructive only heightens the need for a leader who can help to create effective online spaces, not one who will pretend it doesn’t exist.”

What medium’s conversation is mostly constructive? I’m not sure what you’re contrasting against. And if the there is no contrast, does the conclusion still follow?

“McCain is like Windows, and Obama is like Linux.”

I believe you mean McCain is like the command line, Obama is like Vista. There is no politician, at least that I’m aware of, that remotely reflects Linux and the values that make Linux possible. Sorry I’m a bit of an open sourcer, but you are correct that Linux is cool.

No one is arguing that Internet/digital savviness is sufficient for a political leader, but it should be seen as increasingly necessary. This leaves aside the very sophisticated and broad use of the evolving Internet by the Obama campaign to run a modern campaign in all its complexity. Nor is anyone denying the gold standard of actual person-to-person involvement in dealing with the issue Mr. Rutledge raises. However, familiarity with the global nature of the Internet and its relation to global financial events would seem to be in order. The Golden Ear crowd aside, pure analog simply does not cut it anymore.

As for John McCain, he’s clearly a representative of the analog generation – good, reliable, but very old, and with limited features. Obama is an upgrade, digital one, with cool features. McCain is like Windows, and Obama is like Linux.

However the responsibilities attached to leading the “free world” require more than firing off emails to Scarlet Johansson, “googling” military capacity & political nuances before responding to threats from a rogue government, or diplomatic familiarity with the real world versus a virtual world,etc. I submit that tactical knowledge and experience far outweigh dexterity with a keyboard and a mouse.

The past 4 weeks in financial markets around the world might offer an example of the need for experience, reason and the ability to perform under extreme conditions versus the less experienced operators of high speed algorithmic responses. I believe It would be difficult to argue as the world was on the precipice of a “global market meltdown” and the schizophrenic downward spiral was exacerbated by a programed response, only avoided or by the experienced intervention. Humans,
not desk tops help dampen the tsunami of panic and introduced some semblance of calm, albeit for an unknown length of time.

Lastly, perhaps it easier to indict by association rather than by service to one’s country, however during these extremely challenging times, I for one feel more confident with a pilot of proven character, experience and love for his country, (however old fashioned that may sound). And this does not even address the perils of governance without “checks and balance”.