One of the disadvantages of living in a confidently democratic state, is that the politicians don't come to your state, and when they do, they're not seeking your vote, but your money. If you're one with money that they seek, you probably get to ask more questions than just being one of the mass.

I hope that when Obama becomes president, he does better than his friend Deval Patrick is doing in Massachusetts. Not a lot is happening there, even with a democratic governor and a democratic state house and senate.

Precisely, given the attributes you admire in him, Phil, which I grant you his competition lacks utterly, even if he's more grand rhetoric than grand–as even Michelle points out. I'm leaning towards voting for him, since Ron Paul has no chance, but your echoes other stories I've read; they sounded exactly the same– about another knight who came to save the day: Adolph Hitler. It's a little creepy. All the ladies swooned then too. Goebbels in his diary did too. Who's going to pay Obama's piper if he takes the throne? Just all the people who deserved to?

Adolf was a failed artist. Obama is an overachiever. Now this is the first time I understood what these Messiah stories could possibly mean. Good atmospheric report. Hmmm? How will he deliver?

Hitler and women is a slightly more complex story. I think the swooning ladies are a bit of an exaggeration. Power/money and attractiveness are sometimes confused. First he looked for elder ladies who could support and clothe him, later the ladies were younger and stupid (a necessity) so they wouldn't interfere with the work on his ultimate bride: Germany.

But Goebbels adoration, especially his despair when he cannot deliver what the Fuehrer demands, no doubt is absolutely irritating, bordering on the grotesque.

http://tinyurl.com/6owy8p

Obama is just another slick pol who crafted his rise; community activist (what the hell is that?), joined a hate whitey church because of political expediency and a political base, worked a sweet real estate deal with a sketchy dude named Tony Rezko, cavorts with Weathermen, and trashed his grandmother for political points.

Obama's mother hated America, it's people, and all it stood for. Having her son as President should scare the shit out of everyone.

John McCain is tired, old, and wants to expand the war.

I'm sitting this election out.

I love your enthusiasm. The cynicism is getting tiresome and I know it well because that is me.

*** patrick,

What in the world makes you believe Obama's mother hated America? There is nothing to base that on. She was a single white mother with 2 children. It took Ann, his mother, two decades to get her Ph.D. or doctorate as an archaeologist. She died of breast cancer or ovarian cancer. Ann was from Kansas.

*** syvanen, I agree the cynicism is tiring.

Obama's supporters (or at least the majority of us) know Obama is not a saint; he is a politician. Obama is imperfect (like the rest of us). Even he admits that.

Is he an elitist? No! But Obama is part of the elite.

Obama's beginnings were humble and meager. He, his sister and mother had to resort to living off food stamps for awhile. He mostly grew up in a single family house. Furthermore Obama & Michelle just recently paid off their college tuition loans. They were able to do that due to his book royalties.

Although do note, too that Obama, having graduated Magna Cum Laud from law school had lucrative job offers, but instead chose to become a community organizer for an annual salary of $8,000.

Obama has spent his entire adult life working for social justice. He realized in order to get things done he needed power to do so. Thus he got involved in politics.

Additionally Obama was a Constitutional law professor, a civil rights attorney and a community organizer prior to being a state senator for Illinois and now a US Senator.

Obama believes in the people. Instead of governing from the top down he has promised to govern from the bottom up. That is why millions are donating to his campaign on line. That means Obama is beholding to us not the special interest groups.

He believes in ideas not power. Obama has our best interests at heart.

We know the old ways no longer works. Our government is broken. Obama offers a fresh approach to get things done.

One only needs to look at the way he built his campaign and the way he has operated since he began campaigning to know he is capable. Even though he lacked experience in running a presidential 50-state campaign, Obama has successfully organized and applied the necessary resources to execute a complicated campaign strategy. That in and of itself is quite a feat.

Equally important Obama articulates a compelling vision which we all share. He believes in American values and traditions our country was founded. He believes in us, we, the people.

A leader's oratory skills are necessary in order to motivate the people. Obama has demonstrated both leadership skills and oratory skills. Moreover his words are followed with actions.

This is the kind of person I believe, given the chance, will move America forward. While Obama may only be able to do so much, I have faith, that he will do what he can and as much as he is able to accomplish.

Pennsylvania Good luck Tuesday. I know y'all will make the choice that is best for America.

A vote for Hillary is a vote for Hillary and the status quo.

A vote for McCain is a vote for a third term Bush only on steroids.

A vote for Obama is a vote for America.

Vote McCain!

Obama usually parses things carefully, and I like what he says about the issues, incuding his take on how to implement Affirmative Action (real means testing), for example, and on Education, CEO pay, and a less unilteral approach to the Middle East, etc. Some say he reminds them of the OJ trial's Mark Fuhrman, every button, word, and gesture perfect–until he fell for the standard trial lawyer ploy, which, in his case, turned his perfect response into an absurdity, thus demolishing his earned character, hence credibility. In Fuhrman the question related to
perceived bigotry, and in Obama's case (so far) perceived bitter white workers. The Karl Roves will be watching him closely, stirring up character doubts. The general election is many months away.