The two major parties have concluded their respective conventions. There was the usual hyperbole, bloviating, some memorable soaring oratory and some halting speeches from both factions of our political scene. The Democrats effected some kind of unity, and went home feeling good about their nominees Obama and Biden. The Denver atmosphere was apparently that of a hospitable western host -- denizens of a "red state" catering to blue-state party. Equally gracious were the folks in Minnesota to the Republicans, who were enchanted by the short week they spent in welcoming McCain's pick as his running mate -- Sarah Palin, lady governor of Alaska and a mother of five children. Now the long and arduous primaries are finally at an end, and we now look, ahead to the shorter but more intense two months of campaigning. The home stretch looks as if it is muddy, and we can anticipate a lot of that stuff will be thrown every day until November 4.

Initially, the race will involve a clash of the four personalities of the main contestants. Already, Ms. Palin is busy elevating the status of McCain from hero to a special kind of sainthood, dwelling to an irritating degree upon his wartime hell. There is no doubt he has displayed a rare kind of heroism in dealing with the stress of savage captivity. This alone marks his character, but is not a qualification for the presidency. As for her, there is some uncomfortable baggage now clouding her bright start, having to do with alleged misuse of gubernatorial power in a matter concerning an in-law. As to Senator McCain, he has pledged to conduct a campaign above the mudslinging and stick to the issues -- the wars, the economy, the energy crisis, the domestic matters of health care and unemployment. (We would hope he tells his staff to comply when they buy attack ads.)

Obama and Biden have starting hitting hard, countering the sometimes vicious allegations by their opponents. They expect to carry the good fight above the negative lows that were so irritating during the primary season. Their presentation of how they will manage the issues if they are elected promises to be above-board and consonant with their thought-out promises. This seminal period will be a historical battle between worthy opponents, who are starting off neck-and-neck.

And old toast offers the wish: "may you live in interesting times." To which we respond: "CHEERS!"