Back to the Golden Age of Politics

Sept. 15, 2008— -- There was a sort of golden age in American history not too long ago when presidential candidates would load up their staff and travel the country by train.

There's that classic black-and-white photo of the candidate, arms raised as he shouts out a speech to as many people as can hear him, projecting from the very back of a flag-draped train.

No sound bites. No stadium-size conventions. It was a genuine way to get to the people, and even if the candidates were less than genuine, the people could look them in the eye when they asked the candidates how they would help.

While town hall meetings still abound, the Whistle-Stop Tour is a rare occasion these days.