I have not been a Matthews fan...have always felt that his comments were made to ingratiate himself with the right wing. On the other hand, I was enchanted with Olbermann until he began to systematically denigrate Hillary. I haven't watched him since. I personally believe that Olbermann was allowed to be so derisive of Hillary because it played into the conservative agenda to defeat her...she was viewed as the stronger candidate by the right wing. They knew that Obama's race would not be a positive factor for the Democrats and would give McCain his best shot at winning. I believe this because I have since heard Bob Schieffer of CBS state that Obama would be McCain's easiest opponent to defeat. Schieffer, a Republican, made this statement after Hillary withdrew. Also, Dick Meyer, now at NPR, wrote an article on CBS.com in the last week or so which stated that Obama was not running away with the election because he was black. These statements from news people are telling.

There is racial bigotry in this country and the right wing wants to exploit it. That has been their plan all along. Of course, they have to make sure that Olbermann is demoted now that the race is truly on.

The right wing has been manipulating this election from the beginning by implementing Obama's nomination and attacking Hillary. Even McCain managed to divide the Democrats before their convention with ads about Obama not picking her for his running mate and this had an effect. I personally think it was a mistake for Obama not to select her; however, I am for Obama now and want to see him win. But I am discouraged that McCain has now surpassed Obama in the polls. This is terribly worrisome. I hope Obama will begin to advertise more and take off his gloves. It is time!!!

All these polls have upset our family and friends, and I can't say that this article soothes me. The American people have already shown just how stupid they can be by electing Bush twice. A third time is certainly possible.

Obama does appear dazed and without sparkle. This is worrisome. Also, I still haven't seen any advertising for Obama in days. I have seen McCain's and it is compelling, even if misleading. However, the American people are not very discerning...I can't believe how gullible they are. I thought Obama had a large treasure chest. Why isn't he using it?

Never underestimate the gullibility, inane judgment, and stupidity of the American voter.

I don't know about this. I doubt I will change my mind about Sarah Palin or McCain...however, I do hold my position based on the last eight years and the years of Republican leadership leading up to Clinton. I believe that Obama is is our best hope for rational and sensible leadership, and neither McCain nor Palin will convince me otherwise. I admit to being totally unwilling to believe that McCain is a better choice. I am guilty!

Never underestimate the simple-mindedness of the American voter. The Republicans are masters at keying into the ignorant aspects of the American psyche. It is horribly frustrating to watch this country be lead astray by the Palin choice. It is so obvious that McCain and Palin hold the same old views, the same old myopic ideas that have taken this country to the brink of disaster! Rather than being mavericks, both McCain and Palin are loose cannons, very unpredictable making them dangerous. When will Americans see through the ruse! I guess never.

McCain is an absolutely scary loose cannon! Other adjectives come to mind...Unpredictable, sleazy, and hypocritical. McCain believes he is a very principled man but he is sadly mistaken. His rich wife bought him a senate seat and his father insured him a place at the Naval Academy where he frittered away his legacy graduating very low on the totem pole. McCain has squandered his name and his ethics in the pursuit of power and I don't buy for a minute that he is some kind of a hero.

McCain did better than I thought he would do, but that still doesn't make me agree with his politics nor do I think he bested Obama in this debate. Obama held his own very well and I am impressed with his ability to stand up to the ugliness McCain dished his way. Yes, McCain appeared condescending at times and I think he holds little respect for Obama...that came across with the unwillingness to look at Obama or to meet him halfway at the end of the debate.

I was disgusted when McCain got that sickenly patriotic tone he adopts on talking about the troops, his past experiences with troops, blah, blah, blah...that is when he came off as insincere and stiff, even blinded by the one issue. All he could talk about was how well the surge has worked and victory, as if there is such a thing in Iraq. McCain stepped over the line into lunacy when he got on the subject of Iran, plus he was mistaken about Kissinger and negotiations with rogue states; Kissinger does advocate meeting with rogue states, not that I care what Kissinger thinks. Also, I believe McCain was trying to scare the American people into believing that Iran is going to attack Israel. I don't appreciate this kind of fear mongering. On the subject of nuclear proliferation, I thought Obama's arguments that nuclear proliferation had increased because of the way Bush has tried to ostricize North Korea was a very salient point.

I think we got some insight into McCain when he suggested we stop spending money on all programs except the military, or did I hear that right? That convinced me that McCain is going to try to stop government initiatives which people need. He is scary. I'll give to the Obama campaign even more now that I know this fact which I suspected all along anyway.