Yes, Kodak Moment … But Can They Mine (Yes, Mine) Their Manners Come September?

It was so fitting that the debate last night was held at a theatre … (named for “Kodak,” no less) … in Hollywood …  teeming with actors.

In fact, it was this specific moment — when I saw it live, but even more so, after I saw the photo — that made me feel like I was watching theatre.  (Not to mention, potential victory in the Fall.)

If you recall, these two pounded each other silly the last time they met.  But here, just a week-and-a-half later, we had something beyond civil.  You could even call it: “Academy Award civil.”  The perfect gentleman holding the chair for a real lady.  But the formal display of such stereotypic roles was a give-away.  A give-away, in other words, that the scene — and, by extension, the evening itself — had less to do with good manners than a strategically mannered display.

Sure, it was one of those junctures in this bloody war where the perceived necessity, on both sides, was to make nice — like real nice.

But you know what?  I don’t care.  Because, however much it was feigned, what I got out of last night — and shots like this — was how powerful it can look and feel if these two want to play together like grown-ups.  And, if Obama and Hillary can reprise last night’s show after only one is left standing, just for the unifying purpose of destroying defeating McCain, then I’m willing to pay to see it.

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update 5:55 pm PST: I agree with the commenters regarding my choice of language.  “Defeat” McCain.

(image:  Kevork Djansezian/A.P.  Los Angeles.  January 31, 2008.  caption:  Democratic presidential hopefuls, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., helps Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., to her seat before the start of a Democratic debate at the Kodak Theater. Via YahooNews)