CIVIL LIBERTIES AND STAR POWER

This week’s CNN-Politico Democratic Presidential debate reflected an air of civility, unlike previous sparring matches. Everyone is busy brokering deals in preparation for Super Tuesday, with 22 states in play.

On stage at the Kodak Theater: Barak Obama and Hillary Clinton, weaving between roles as political thespians, each auditioning for the role of a lifetime … Commander in Chief. Quite a change from what’s been going on in the press (and the last Democratic debate).

Good to see we all can get along.

The Kodak Theater flickered with stars who took supporting audience roles. They listened intently to what could be the nation’s first woman or African American president—indeed a Lifetime Achievement worthy of an Oscar.

This year, the star-studded debate audience may be the closest thing we get to the Academy Awards, due to the writer’s strike. Row upon row of stars, including Carl Reiner, America Ferrara, Lou Gossett and Diane Keaton to name a few, listened intently, temporarily relinquishing the stage to politicians.

The Republicans had their turn last night. It was interesting to see John McCain, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul and Mike Huckabee pay homage to actress/politico Nancy Reagan, reigning queen bee of the GOP. The Ronald Reagan Library hosted “four genteel men” during a tepid, yet sometimes testy verbal jousting match.

Nancy seemed frail, leaning on the sure, calm arm of Huckabee, who patiently escorted Mrs. Reagan to her seat. There was something about the entire scene that said this was a party that had seen better days. It was eerily similar. New characters, same plot … staid delivery.

The Kodak Theatre was just more colorful and picturesque.