I just watched the two candidates’ speeches at the Al Smith dinner (they were rebroadcast on Rachel Maddow), and I think they were both terrific. If NRO readers have a few minutes, the speeches are well worth watching–especially McCain’s. I’m a longtime McCain supporter, and even I was surprised at how hilarious he was. Obama was less stellar, but turned in a solid performance. (It was inspiring to see the candidates do well, especially after a debate in which–in my view–they both underwhelmed. Maybe the whole debate format needs a rethink; the late Glenn Gould may have had a point about the artificiality of the high-wire-act aspect of public performance.)