Obama has to take a break from the campaign. He hasn't spent time with his family in weeks. He and his wife decide to visit Rainbow Lake.
McCain has heard about this. He thinks it's a great idea. He and his family will also go to Rainbow Lake.
Obama is wise in the matters of traveling, he's done so much of it lately. "This is the route we'll take," he says to Michelle. "We'll take Route 21 to the Interstate, then the turnoff here, and then over the bridge to the lake. But road conditions will determine the route. If Route 21 is clogged with traffic, as it sometimes is this time of year, we'll take Route 23 to the Interstate. It's a little longer but we'll save time by missing the traffic."
McCain takes out a map. He draws his route with a big red marker. "This is a man's route, a hero's route, a patriot's route. We have to stick to this route!"
Obama packs his family in the car and they leave. Just as he thought, Route 21 is jammed with cars. He turns off on Route 23. When he gets to the bridge, well, lack of funding has lead to the bridge's collapse. So he goes by a longer side road. He and his family get to Rainbow Lake.
McCain does not deviate from his pre-programmed route. He and his family are stuck in traffic on Route 21 for hours. When they get to the collapsed bridge, he tells his family, "We must not deviate from the patriot's route!" He drives his family off a cliff.
Obama and his family are enjoying the wonderful sunset at Rainbow Lake. McCain and his family are inspecting their wrecked car, wondering how they'll ever get out of the bottom of the gorge they are stuck in.
A wise man takes account of the reality along his path.