I decided to sit down and watch the Democratic candidate debates last night on ABC. I think it's important for Canadians to be as knowledgeable about American politics as they are about Canadian politics, since what happens south of our border will inevitably affect us one way or another.

I have to say - and I'm definitely not alone in this - the ABC 'debate' was nothing short of a sham. There was nothing of substance in Charlie Gibson's questions, and for at least the first 20 minutes, it seemed like Gibson was Clinton's attack dog, spending much time attacking Obama for connections he has to some very outspoken individuals.

The height of ludicrousy was hit when Gibson - in all seriousness - lambasted Obama for not wearing a flag pin. Seriously, are US citizens really concerned about the candidate's loyalty to a piece of fabric? Wouldn't they be far more concerned about the things that piece of fabric represents, such as their country's place in world opinion and commerce, or the free economy that's currently falling to pieces?

Maybe it's because I'm a Canadian, and we don't have the same relationship to our national emblems as the US does, but it seems to be a distraction from the conversation American voters should be having to focus on things like a flag pin, or an acquaintance with outspoken people. The media is having a field day with all these distractions, and is avoiding the things that should be at the center of discussion - fiscal, domestic, and foreign policy. After all, this is where the nation's problems currently reside - in whether the candidate can pull the country out of an economic and diplomatic nosedive, not in who has the most American flags in their advertising or can pick up a phone at 3am.*

* (and is it just me, or will Clinton's constant nattering about all her experience come to bite her in the ass with her first failed policy attempt or domestic crisis?)