In this article, the author provides the contentions of intellectual historian John Patrick Diggins on the November 2008 elections and the presidential leadership. Diggins observed that "all people spoke about was winning the elections, and no one seemed to be concerned with the problems of the future." Diggins also expressed how he was skeptical of the view that more troops should be added to the fight in Afghanistan. He marveled at how divisive social issues--gay marriage, abortion, race--have taken a back seat to economic concerns. Lastly, he talked about the distinctions between John McCain's and Barack Obama's beliefs on certain issues.