o doubt those who've watched both the Republican and Democratic conventions have heard enough about John McCain's war record, Sarah Palin's life as a hockey mom, Barack Obama's single-mother upbringing and Joe Biden's daily Amtrak commute.

Enough already. There are about 60 days left to make a decision. Bring on the issues.

The economy: Obama needs to make the case that his plans won't hamstring America's free-enterprise economy with burdensome tax increases and excessive government regulation, including his healthcare mandates. And McCain needs to explain how he expects to finance an open-ended war in Iraq, preserve President Bush's massive tax cuts and reduce the crippling budget deficit, all at the same time.

Foreign affairs: Both candidates need to provide cogent explanations on how they will raise America's standing and influence in the world.

National security/Iraq: Yes, the surge worked; that's old news. What's the next step in fighting the war on terror?

Sarah Palin: With a thin resume and — unlike Obama —no experience as a policy-maker on the national stage, she needs to make clear her own positions on all of the above.

Obama and McCain are both honorable men, chosen by millions of Americans to represent their parties. Their character and patriotism are beyond debate. But the real issues are not.

It's time to focus on them.