I felt the exact same way watching that show. It made me uneasy. She took it too far and it wasn't appropriate for that show.

I agree w/ you, Joan. Obama can't change what he said. He may've just admired Reagan's political skills but he's implicitly and clearly comparing himself to Reagan who really hurt the middle-class. As you pointed out, we can't get past the battles when we're still trying to keep whatever victories we got. Hillary & Bill should've been more artful in their arguments so as not to give their opponents ammunition against them, but Obama's inaccurately glossing over history and rewriting it to some extent and I'm glad someone's paying attention.

eve

Maybe it shouldn't matter, but one of the things which bothers me most about Obama is the way he's being treated by his supporters and the media (same thing?), like he's some new kind of political animal which can't be criticized. All criticism of him is considered "racial" when it clearly has nothing to do with race.

Why can't he be criticized? Is he perfect? What do they think the Republicans are going to do if he's the nominee?

It's like his supporters are so in love with him or what he's saying that they can't think straight.

Joe, your column was completely fair as were the others you cited.

eve

For making Michelle Bernard look ridiculous and, as usual, making more sense than anyone else on the panel

Maybe the reason why some of us, who came to support Obama later in the season, are more trusting of this selection than the true-believers is that we came to him on rational grounds, which include trusting his judgement, whereas the earlier supports came to him on emotional grounds.

Joan,

You said it better than I could, but I did want you to know you have a fan out here who reads your posts and watches your tv appearances and pretty much agrees w/ everything you say. I've made the same evolution about Obama and think I see him more maturely than the love at first sight fans who projected whatever they needed from him on his candidacy and, by being so idealistic, are of course now disappointed.

Please keep it up.