The ad begins, "It's 3 a.m. and your children are safe and asleep. But there's a phone ringing in the White House. Something's happening in the world."

In politics, fear is known to be effective, which is why it's been called into play. But with the two democratic candidates, my fears may not be those they'd intended. I visualize Hillary waking up, discovering Bill is not in the bed, looking at the caller I.D. and knowing who's on the line. She's admitted she's a fighter and this aspect of her life likely is a factor.

And since we're familiar with Obama's bedroom habits from Michelle's interviews, his snoring may drown out the sound of a ringing phone and when he finally hears it, he'd have to rinse his mouth out first to get rid of the morning breath she described. Time would not be on their side.

Moreover, those of us whose kids are in their 20's are all too aware that they're not asleep. Forget the White House, that's when we most fear our phones ringing.