Sadly, I actually thought this would come sooner. I just didn't think that there was any way that Barack could win the nomination without the presidential election taking this turn. Mind you, I think if Hilary had won, it would have been dirty too, just in another way.

That's who the Republicans are right now. That's what you have to expect. And yeah, I think Obama is brave to run, and Michelle is gutsy to let him, especially since they have kids.

I just hope the lead in the polls goes up a lot higher. It's still easily close enough to steal.

I'm also glad you posted this. Unfortunately, not enough people are pointing out how empty and stupid their rhetoric is, it should be a major topic of conversation.

I expect McCain to say at least three completely asinine things tonight. In the opening segment, I mean.

There's almost a month left, after all. I've been waiting for this kind of attack from McCain and Palin. This is what these people do.

I thought the single funniest moment was when McCain said that "We're not getting back into a cold war with Russia", then said that he saw KGB in Putin's eyes. How exactly is that going to help relations? What the hell was he thinking? He said this in the last debate, so someone in his campaign must think it's a good line. I have no idea why they think that.

Who was McCain talking to when he kept saying "My friends?" And why didn't he want to talk to the rest of us?

That was the way I read it too. All in all, not McCain's finest moment. What kind of politician is he that he can't even make a moment of cordiality with an opponent? Does Obama, or this race, offend him so much? McCain really seemed like he was avoiding a lot of questions, pretty much what I expected.

After McCain's remark that he could "see KGB in Putin's eyes," I can't wait for his version of diplomacy. Fortunately, his performance tonight helped to make that something I don't have to worry about.

I'm pretty sure they were quiet and unresponsive, because they were told they couldn't make any noise, or cheer, or anything, until the end of the debate. Brokaw mentioned that twice.

Of the people trying to apologize for McCain's chose of words. he knew what he meant, and the people he was speaking to knew too.

We need better trolls around here. and good job Faulkner, saved me having to do it. I don't believe that mystery poll exists either.

Nothing else about it is shocking, sadly. It's too bad that the people who might actually be surprised by something like this aren't the people reading your blog Glenn. I hope this manages to spread.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that some people will try to be apologists for this, but then, that's really the only explanation for the way things have gone in the United States for the past oh, 8 years or so. It's obnoxious. It needs to change.

I figured competency should be a requirement before being allowed to vote, but that's apparently not the case. Learn something new every day.

I can't feel pity for people with attitudes like that, at least partially because they'd be among the lynch mob. I think they're dangerous. Too many people don't seem to take them seriously, which is too bad.

Whatever it is that most Salon readers find important and beautiful about the US, are the very things these people hate and want to get rid of. They consider most people here to be their enemies, and it's irrelevant to them how we consider them.

And not nearly as serious, but a good example of just how far down the rabbit hole some people are.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YInuTc3C3jM

Some people are inhabiting a different reality. I don't know any other way of putting it.

Balz is writing propaganda, and I'm very worried about what the end-result of the frenzy McCain and Palin are whipping up will be. It's not like prominent black men, or presidents, haven't been shot at before.

I bet that guy didn't care at all that the reporter was in the room. I don't think that they respect the press at all - they're certainly not scared of them.

Disgraceful is the word for how the Repubs are running their campaign. Dangerous is another good one. The country is going to have a rough time recovering from all the ill-feelings associated with this election, and that's the optimistic outlook.

And right on point.

But that's the thing, don't you see...these people don't have a press corps on their heels either. Instead, they've got a corps that basically only knows the tricks "heel" and "roll over".

Republicans lie. This is what they do. They repeat what they want until it doesn't matter anymore, they're forced to resign, or enough people believe it that it might as well be true. That's the only real trick they know.

They're gonna try to cheat. It's what they've got. I don't actually believe the vote is as close as the polls are saying right now.

And good luck getting more of a response on this. I doubt it'll happen though, because I think they do this a lot. I mean, a LOT.

Really, it has to be over 10 points. I'd prefer 15. Despite everything you're saying Joan, the thing to remember is, the Republicans will cheat. That's what they do. The only way to be sure is if the lead going into the election is so large that the public won't stand for the cheating...I'm not actually sure how large a lead that would have to be. I'm hoping 15 points is enough.

Good question. Sadly, these are exactly the people who won't tell you, certainly not truthfully. That's not what they do.