Can voters see through the fluff and flash?

Some saw the selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as an act of desperation by a candidate in trouble, while others saw it as a breath of fresh air.

The first release from the Democrats pointed out that only a short time ago, she was just the mayor of a town of 9,000 -- a slap in the face for small towns everywhere, like McCook, where we we can only dream about having that many people.

One knowledgeable observer, however, noted that it should be easy to balance the budget of a state like oil-rich Alaska, which has a population about the same size of the Omaha metro area.

Republican faithful got excited about a woman who knew how to properly "field dress a moose," is a pro-life member of the NRA, and even has a pregnant teenage daughter and a special-needs child, offering hope a conservative administration might still be sympathetic to those who may need help.

Yes, she's young, they say, but her opponent's experience is primarily as a "community organizer," and, although he's hanging his candidacy on "change," he chose one of the ultimate Washington insiders as a running mate.

Sen. John McCain's acceptance speech Thursday night cemented his place as a pedestrian speaker, but it's hard to ignore his years in a North Vietnamese prison cell and his well-deserved reputation as a pain in his colleague's backsides.

Besides the usual tip of the hat to family and country, the GOP candidate touted his against-the-grain support of the Iraqi "surge," a strong defense, smaller government and lower taxes.

He didn't note that he belonged to the party in power for the last eight years, nor explain how he might address the national debt, other than saying he would eliminate federal programs that don't work.

McCain called for use of community colleges to train workers for new jobs, more domestic energy including offshore drilling and nuclear energy, and a doubling of the child tax exemption.

On either side of the ballot, Americans have a choice between a bright, articulate newcomer coupled with a longtime member of the Washington establishment.

Let's hope the voters see through the flash and fluff to the substance of the future each ticket offers to America.