My most sage observation about the grandmothers is that it boils down to two camps, either you identify with the grandmother, in which case you are appalled at the breach of confidence, or you know someone like her, and you understand the point that you can love someone with attitude problems.

I think this article came too soon, while the media is still a giant echo chamber, and we are still digesting events. When Chris Wallace at FOX rebukes his coworkers and another walks off the set of show due to "Obama bashing" then we might have a case of media over saturation. Its too soon to really know what effects this speech will have, pro or con. How much more ill-informed speculation can we take? CBS has a poll out already, but that doesn't mean much long term. And a lot of your readers are concerned about bias and a suspected undertow against Obama. Sharing any legitimate fear, uncertainty or doubt is not likely to be well received at this time.

There is a lot of other stuff cooking, particularly the Republicans. How is that awesome RW noise machine of fearful symmetry holding up? Possibilty it may be showing a few cracks. McCain is acting like Mr. Magoo on his trip to foreign lands. Chuck Hagel may not endorse McCain. It looks like there is still residual rebellion simmering in the party sects. There's a big embezzelment scandal at the NRCC that I haven't seen Salon mention. NRC Fund raising is anemic. Plus 29 incumbent Republicans are retiring. How's that likely to effect the general election? I keep waiting for Salon to do some badass analysis.

Just ask yourself, What would Jimi do?

And all due respect to the "numbers": this race is essentially tied; Obama has a slight lead in delegates and holds a modest lead in the popular vote. It is by far not a done deal, regardless of the math geeks and their incessant whining about the "numbers."

Your not going to tell me that we have our Math, but you have the Math? I've heard that before.

It's numerically a fact that Hillary has to win better than 60/40ish to overtake the delegates, maybe slightly less so to get the popular vote.

This should be reported accurately, so that Hillary supporters who want her to win can get off their butts and make it happen. Something big has to happen to cause that split in the results. If Hillary supporters think they are close to even, then maybe they won't put in the effort required to get it done. Saying it's a close race isn't that helpful, IM!HO. Just a thought from your ever helpful Fester.

McCain seems to have gotten away with alleged trysts with lobyyist chick more than half his age.

He's getting his Ben Franklin mojo going. Keep an eye out for kites and keys.

But we must have a conversation about race. The media declared it so and Obama wants us to.

You could turn off your TV and disconnect the internets. I've thought about it.

Fester

And a lot of your readers are concerned about bias and a suspected undertow against Obama. Sharing any legitimate fear, uncertainty or doubt is not likely to be well received at this time.

Reality

So are you suggesting that Joan just shut up about Obama? No questioning allowed, no analysis, if it isn't gushing praise then it doesn't belong in the pages of Salon! Are Obama supporters in such a fragile psychological state that the mere hint of uncertainty is likely to push them over the edge? Maybe you're right..

Don't be silly. I've defended Joan's right to say what she wants, bias or no. People can say whatever they want. But if you want to be effective, timing is important. And my honest opinion is that little was added to the conversation, because it is (what for it) too soon. We don't know how the Rev Wright and Obama's speech will be reflected in PA, NC, and IN, and we have only one poll so far. We really don't know how important the Obama speech is either. It will take years before we know if that speech has staying power or not. And Joan basically repeated what she has already said. And I don't think Obama supporters are fragile creatures. They'll just write off Joan. That's the real point, to be blunt. There are too many people here making emotional plees for one candidate or the other. They are all getting written off. I'd rather Joan wasn't written off.

I'm looking for thoughtful analysis ("The kinds of news you can't get anywhere else..."). For me, that means I have to disengage from the media echo chamber and meditate on the issue for a bit. They's still plenty of time to talk about Obama and Rev Wright and the dem nominee race. Doesn't look like it's going away any time soon. So why not refocus and come back with a fresh perspective?

I think the Repubican party is in deep Kimchee right now, so I'm very interested in analysis on them, and how they'll try to pull it together. Just describing them as the boogeyman lurking on the shadows of stories isn't enough.