THE MESSIAH HAS COME

Although conventional wisdom sees Barack Obama as the future, I think he represents the past, even if he becomes President. He'll take the Fifth on every one of the key controversies the world struggles with today. Not because he's stupid but because his constituency won't let him face the issues.

They've elected him to make it all go away. Wave the wand. Show his face and work his magic. That's why most of his speeches are conjure. He'll try manfully to do it. And if anyone can work roll back history with spells, he's the man. But the last phrase Barack Obama will ever utter is the only phrase that matters: "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat."

That's precisely what he's being elected to avoid. And good luck to him. It's the time for hard decisions. A time to choose.

What we are more likely to hear from Barack -- because that's what his constituency wants to hear -- are words along the lines of "we are resolved that the method of consultation shall be the method adopted to deal with any other questions that may concern our two countries, and we are determined to continue our efforts to remove possible sources of difference, and thus to contribute to assure the peace of Europe. My good friends, for the second time in our history, a British Prime Minister has returned from Germany bringing peace with honour. I believe it is peace for our time. Go home and get a nice quiet sleep." Sleep they did. But they woke to a nightmare.

I don't think we'll have a world war, but neither do I believe we will have a "nice quiet sleep."

WRETCHARD