PRESIDENTIAL CHOICES should be made with one eye on the present and one on the future.

The fact is, for all the rhetoric, debates, campaign appearances and coverage of the campaigns of John McCain and Barack Obama, no one really knows how either will act once they are in the White House.

It's also clear that the present day issues - the war in Iraq, terrorism and the big gorilla, the economy - will change during the four years after Inauguration Day. So, while it's helpful to spend some time looking at the current issues, it's also smart to look at which candidate might ultimately be the better leader.

As the campaign has progressed, we have been disappointed in both candidates.

Each of them started by promising to bring change to Washington and to America. They both talked about change during the primaries and the early days of the general election.

But to a large degree, both campaigns have retreated back to the standard party lines. McCain, who likes the maverick tag, hasn't veered very far from Republican candidates in the past. Obama, who likes to talk about changing Washington, hasn't sounded too different from Democratic candidates.

Both candidates still talk about change, but the details are scarce.

The campaign has also been noteworthy - in a negative way - for a lack of substance on the issues. Even through three debates and one vice presidential debate, it's been hard for the candidates to get past the rhetoric and talk realistically about the issues.

So, what separates the two candidates?

For folks in Central Illinois, two key issues.

The most significant is the vice presidential choice made by each candidate. Obama selected Joe Biden as his running mate, while McCain picked Sarah Palin.

Biden, while not the most exciting candidate, does bring a wealth of experience to the race. Palin, on the other hand, has proven she's not ready for leadership on a national stage. She struggles to answer policy questions and reverts too often to pithy quotes that are entertaining but really don't say anything.

It's a scenario no one wants to consider, but it's a lot easier to be comfortable with President Biden than President Palin.

The other issue is admittedly parochial. Obama is from Illinois and if elected would be the fourth president with ties to the state. Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant were long-time residents of the state, and Ronald Reagan was born in Dixon.

Having a president from the state - along with Dick Durbin, who is expected to be the No. 2 leader in the U.S. Senate - would have to be good for the state. That would be especially true if the leaders in Springfield could get their act together.

McCain has served his country well, both as a soldier and a senator. His career has been an outstanding one. No one should doubt his patriotism or his love of country.

But looking to the future, it's clear that the country needs a new kind of leader. Barack Obama has the best chance to be that kind of leader.