Obama vs McCain - the great debate in soundbites

So, anyway after getting home from Starved Rock i went out for dinner with my host and her friend from chicago. we had a lovely meal - although i had dolphin apparently - and most importantly we had a great discussion. As you are all probably aware the american economy has experienced a few jolts in the last couple of days. There hasn't really been the opportunity to talk about it much, i haven't seen any TV news or read any papers. Our hosts during the day haven't mentioned it much but in their own words 'they're still pretty much in shock'.
It has been interesting arriving here from NZ where we are all consciously aware and watching our spending at the moment. Here, it is definitely the land of wide streets, big cars, big fridges, upsizing and convenience. And not in a greedy way but in a generous big portioned and comfort seeking way.Also, of course, the whole country is in a holding pattern waiting and watching and listening to the election noise.
So us three ladies had this big chat, and here are the sound bites....

Firstly about fundraising....
(My thoughts)...Its not that Americans are more comfortable talking about money but rather that the culture is that they expect to give philanthropically its just a matter of choosing the right project at the right time.
"People must be connected to the institution or project"
"They need to get something back"
" They need to feel important and needed"
'And need to feel that whatever they give has an inpact"

On 9-11
'Life hasn't changed but we're more fearful.'

On politics (and fundraising)....
'Obama asked everyone to give $5, now they've invested in him, therefore they want to vote. They're a part of it".

We don't research and fully read what politicians say, nor is the information available.'We don't have a long attention span, we making decisions based on sound bites'.

'Unemployment is at 6.1%, inflation is high, there is 0% gross domestic , an expensive war, the republican party is shrinking... so why isn't this a landslide victory to the democrats?'

On Politics and marketing....
Does Obama have consumer fatigue? Have we seen so much of him that we're tired and want a change?

And finally what my hosts didn't want me to write down, because that would mean its on record....
Why didn't Hillary win? It seems, and my hosts were uncomfortable to admit this, that USA was more ready to accept a black president than a female one.