Judging by most of the media commentary, the presidential election is all but decided. Taking its cue from opinion surveys, the commentariat has decided that Barack Obama is the wave of the future. Slim and young, looking good in shirtsleeves as well as suits, with a beautiful family, along with a strong voice and well-turned speeches, he has the election wrapped up. Why even bother counting the votes?

John McCain, in his 70s, unable to raise his arms because of war wounds and looking awkward, tarred with being a Republican after a slew of GOP scandals and bad decisions in Congress and the White House — why is he even running? On the other hand, might he be an even better choice?

Unlike his opponent, he has pledged he will not ask Congress to increase taxes in the way Obama proposes, a way that could hurt many small businesses and sole proprietors, the segment of our economy that provides the most new jobs.

He’s the better choice for nominating justices for the Supreme Court. He pledged to name people who take the Constitution and our laws for what they mean, not for what they wish they meant. The court has affirmed our right to own firearms to defend ourselves at home. Justices named by Obama likely would have found the other way.

McCain is the better choice if you consider that the next Congress will have a bigger majority of Democrats in the Senate and the House. A counterweight in the White House would be handy.

McCain also looks like the stronger choice if you want someone who is willing to risk being unpopular if he’s right. Nobody knows what would have happened if Obama’s view had prevailed last year on Iraq, but McCain’s recommended strategy prevailed, and now Iraq has calmed down and may be on its way to becoming a functioning country.

Because of the war and many other reasons, federal spending has exploded and is practically running out of control. Obama has big plans for additional programs. McCain has been against spending excesses perpetrated even by his own party.

Among some on the right, Obama has been the target of wild, unjustified accusations concerning his name, religion and associations. Those things are out of line. He is an honorable man, and if he gets elected, the country will survive. But from the angles of the court, tax policy, federal spending and wartime strategy, among others, McCain is the better choice. (hh)