I've been a fan of THE VIEW since Whoopi replaced Rosie O'Donnell last season. And, thanks to the magic box I call the DVR, I'm able to watch it when I want and how I want - fast-forwarding through boring guests or other uninteresting features. Because, let's face it - the best part about THE VIEW is the "Hot Topics" feature - and let me tell you, the closer we get to Election Day, the hotter the topics seem to get.

I used to feel kind of bad for Elisabeth Hasselbeck, the staunchy conservative thirtysomething who landed this plum gig after sweating out a few seasons on THE LOOK FOR LESS. I mean, she's adorable, she's got a supersmart brain under that lovely blond hair of hers, and hers is the lone Republican voice at a table full of liberals. Even Sherri Shephard, who recently confirmed that she believes every word of the Bible is 100% true and happened exactly as it is written in both Testaments - even Sherri is Pro'bama. So, you know, it's hard out there for a Rightie.

But.

Over the last several weeks, Elisabeth has been harping on and on about how Obama is tied to terrorists and Other Very Bad People. She sings Sarah Palin's praises every second she gets, going so far as to defend Palin's lack of response when Katie Couric asked her which publications she reads. Lizzie's take? That Palin didn't name any papers or magazines so as not to endorse one over the other. Come on, Elisabeth - do you actually believe that? I mean, really.

Today, though. I swear, I'm not a violent person, but if I could've reached through my television and socked Mrs. Hasselbeck in her pious little mouth? Whoo boy.

Here's a taste:



I think Elisabeth Hasselbeck is officially bad for my blood pressure. (On the flip side: nice job, Miss Sherri!)

There was an Op/Ed piece in a recent Time magazine about how mainstream journalism can take a page from THE VIEW's book. The writer was saying how while no one could confuse THE VIEW with a hard news program, there's something refreshing about how they dissect the election and actually call the candidates on their B.S. One specific example was how Joy Behar asked McCain point blank about the commercial claiming that Obama wanted to start sex ed in kindergarten. Obama's plan calls for age-appropriate education - meaning, that in kindergarten, kids would be taught how to recognize dangerous situations and what to do if someone tries to touch your no-no spots. But the commercial implies that Obama's pushing full-on birds-and-bees instructions to six year olds. Joy asked McCain outright why he lied in this add - and it was the word "lie" that the Time piece praised, since most mainstream outlets would've gone with something softer, like "misleading."

I'd be misleading people if I acted like I had finished licking my Hillary for President wounds, because I haven't. They're still there, and they're still deep. But I do feel like we've watched Obama mature on the campaign trail, and while I'm not entirely convinced he's the absolute best person for the job, he will be getting my vote on November 4th.

And while I respect Elizabeth Hasselbeck's right to support the McCain/Palin ticket, I do not respect the ways in which she's tried to push that ticket from her VIEW pulpit. I also do not respect certain members of my best friend's church who send daily e-mail blasts telling the congregation that if they don't vote for McCain/Palin, they are being bad Christians and will burn in hell.

What I do respect is Barbara Walters' reasonable request for both sides to stop slinging mud and start seriously focusing on the issues. I'm hoping tonight's town hall style matchup will throw both Obama and McCain off their respective games, because I'm tired of soundbite-y answers that have been crafted by teams of people during Debate Camp. Is it too much to hope for candid answers to questions relevant to domestic policy? I want to hear about education. I want to hear about health care. I want to hear real answers coming from real people's mouths, and not the plasticine puppets we've been seeing mouthing passionless phrases they hope will be replayed on the six o'clock news.

In the meantime, I'll settle for a little silence from Elisabeth.