Thank you Joan for condemning the lack of civility on the part of so many who would call themselves "progressive". After many years of being frustrated by the repugnantly derogatory remarks coming from the Republicans it is a sad disappointment to hear such vile sexist language from those who claim to be in favor of a society based on equal opportunity. Senator Clinton is a very small percentage behind Obama and if the race were winner take all as is the Republican primary she would be well ahead. I support Barrack Obama and do wish the contest was over but Senator Clinton has evey right to make her best case and should be respected. Obama supporters who vent their frustration with such pathetic language because they cannot easily getting their way do not speak well for our favored candidate. Barrack makes his arguments in a far better manor then by personal vilification. We should follow his example.

I suspect the question most media figures are burning to ask of McCain goes something like this, "Dear friend, maverick and war hero Sen. McCain, once you've finished your doughnut perhaps you'd be kind enough to tell me whether you prefer to be kissed on the right or the left buttock? Bush and Cheney both prefered the right but I don't want to make assumptions."

Will they ask him about his adulterous affair with his current wife? Will they ask his children how he handled that? Will they press him about his wife's fortune as they did Sen. Kerry? Will they question his bravery and honor as they did Sen. Kerry? The list could go on but what's the use. Media figures will present McCain with doughnuts, cross themselves, kiss his ring - or his butt, whichever he presents and then ask him why he thinks Obama doesn't wear a flag pin.

The American press makes me sick.

Before last night the idea that a black woman could be the First Lady of the United States, a strong and credible representative of this country, might have been a dream or even a hope of many people but Michelle Obama has made that hope a reality.

I'm 61 years old and still well remember the lines of angry whites spitting and screaming at young black students as they integrated our schools in the fifties. I remember well the sight of police meeting protesters with dogs and firehoses as Martin Luther King lead the march for civil rights. The sight sound of Michelle Obama speaking so brilliantly and being so obviously credible as a prospective First Lady brought me to tears.

Talking heads on PBS doubted that she had familiarized Barack to the "average American" and worried themselves about campaign trivialities. I feel sorry for them for they are missing the forest by focusing on the trees.

The sun rose on a new country this morning, a country wherein a person of any race really can rise to the highest office in the land.

Joan,

I watched you and Buchanan Sunday and was surprised when Pat went on about Gen. Powell deserting his party when they are down. Did he expected Gen. Powell to support the Republican candidate even if the Gen. thought it wasn't the best thing for the country? This mindset springs from the Reagan commandment, "Never speak ill of a fellow Republican." and is definately not in the best interests of the country.

Barack Obama's main message is that we should change that mindset and simply vote for the best qualified candidate. It shouldn't be a horse race or a team sporting event. Rather it should be about us Americans doing the best we can to govern ourselves.

Joan,

I'm a 62 year old comfortably retired white guy. Though we aren't really wealthy we certainly are secure and comfortable. Although we gained a bit from the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy the added money had no impact on our lifestyle. We, just like most folks in our situation neither needed nor wanted to have our taxes cut. I will be pleased when soon to be (hopefully) President Obama lets them expire and applies the money gained to the lower economic strata of our society. If some of that money helps a young person get an education that leads them to a successful life that will be great. If some of that money helps to pay for the care that an elderly and less fortunate person needs that will be great. We are all Americans and deserve equal opportunity to succeed and some reasonable degree of comfort and security at the end of our lives. This is still the richest country in the world and the fact that we have become so stingy is an embarrassment.

I campaigned and voted for Obama because he listens, thinks and finds the middle ground. In other words process over policy. The past few elections have been about ideology and policy - wave the flag, be pro life and anti gay, etc. Obama seems to want to use the process of open discussion, studying what has worked in the past and careful asssessment of the current situation before deciding on a policy. He seems to put the good of the country before the good of his party or his political fortunes. (hmmm, that has a familiar ring to it)

It is his committment to a rational process that convinced me to back him and that's why I think he will be a successful president.

Oh, he also is very bright, has great communication skills, has proven to be an excellent manager and is obviously an inspirational leader.