The McCain-Obama Buddy Flick

For too many men, the 2008 election is a McCain-Obama buddy flick, writes Edward McClelland for Salon. The candidates may be ideological opponents, but the grizzled veteran and hip black guy share qualities men admire in other men, like independence, charisma, and toughness. Many guys are backing both, ideology be damned—and revealing a subconscious male preference.

McClelland understands the thinking of these hybrids—he used to be one. “I never said to myself, ‘I want a man for president,’” he writes. “I said to myself, ‘I want a leader.’” But he realizes that he, like many, views leadership as a masculine quality. In the end, he recommends Obama backers suck it up and vote for Hillary Clinton if she wins the nomination. (More Superwoman stories.)