Here in Marrakech, I’m supposed to be immersed in all things Middle Eastern, and North African — or Maghribian, or whatever we wish to say. And so I am. For Part III of my journal, go here. But I can’t help keeping an eye on U.S. politics, junkie that I am. And don’t we have an election coming up?

I see that Uncle Joe has done it again — I mean, the vice president. Over the last several months, I have been noting how Biden refers to the president, in public, as “Barack.” In fact, I wrote a piece on this, or based on this, for the August 30 National Review: “‘Barack & I’: What’s in a first name?” This is very, very unusual, ladies and gentlemen — this first-naming of the president. (As Rick Brookhiser commented, would Nixon have said “Dwight” — or “Ike”?)

Well, Biden was just at a fundraiser in New York, and said, “This is a real important election. It’s more important than the one that got Barack and me elected, it literally is.” “Literally” is a little weird there. But at least he used “me” correctly (unless the pool reporter has cleaned up his English). Good for Biden. May it spread throughout the country.

Also, I noticed that Obama (Barack?), out on the stump, said, “This election is not just about moving forward versus moving backward. It’s also a contest between our deepest hopes and our deepest fears. And the other side is playing on fear. That’s what they do.”

Oh, I see. Reminded me of the 1996 presidential campaign — in which Bob Dole said, as his closing mantra, I believe: “This election is about hope and fear. Hope or fear. Which will it be? Hope or fear, hope or fear . . .”

Well, I hope it works out for Obama just as well as it worked out for Dole — for Robert J., Bobby Joe, Dole (for whom I once interned, in the good ol’ U.S. Senate).

Okay, back to Marrakech-ing . . .