I couldn't do your job Joan. Not because I couldn't work for Salon. That's a great gig. But because you get lambasted for stating the obvious.

First off, and I've said this on other posts. Hillary would have to be INSANE to have meant that she was hanging in waiting for Obama to get assassinated. Of course she meant that Bobby was still in until June. The criticism should be only for the insensitivity of the remarks and the convenient leaving out of when the '68 primary began.

Secondly. McClellan's reason for telling his story seems very plausible to me. He had time to reflect. Why is this so hard for people to accept? Who hasn't been in a situation where they couldn't see the forest through the trees? I for one am in the 'better late than never' camp. As for media complicity. Those who are not admitting it are continuing to be complicit. Talk about not seeing the forest through the trees. To me, they are the miserable creatures.

Keep up the good work Joan. I'm glad you are thick skinned.

I love Bateman, but if this is all Kucinich's four hour speech gets on Salon, then I couldn't be more disappointed. NPR gave it about a minute. Nothing in the Times.

Makes me sick. Just because there isn't a snowball's chance in hell that the son of a bitch will get impeached, doesn't mean that he hasn't committed impeachable offenses.

The media, which is supposed to be the be the watch-dog of democracy has become a lap-dog.

It's a good idea because it aggressively attacks the rumors. Misremembering the truth? Come on. This strategy is geared toward opened minded people who just don't read a whole. It's unfortunate that they vote, but hey, that's democracy.

The old democratic strategy of ignoring the illogical rants that no one with half a brain could possibly believe has been ineffective (see Gore 2000, Kerry 2004).

Proactive is the key.

First of all when was the last time any of you who are saying Michelle is not off limits heard what her policy arguments were? When were any of these arguments reported? Personally all I've seen her do is support her husband.

Secondly, and herein lies the major flaw. If it's policy arguments that you disagree with, then attack those. Calling her a 'baby mama', 'un-American', racist or elitist takes the dialogue into the gutter.

If Michelle wants to talk politics, then she is open for criticishm, NOT personal slime attacks.

I used to love when Al Franken, on his radio show would play the following quote from Kristol regarding pre-invasion Iraq, in a loop.

It's a beaut!

"There's been a certain amount of pop sociology in America ... that the Shia can't get along with the Sunni and the Shia in Iraq just want to establish some kind of Islamic fundamentalist regime. There's almost no evidence of that at all. Iraq's always been very secular."

George Carlin had a profound influence on stand up comedy. He also was incredibly original and funny .. when he was younger.

Not meaning to offend, and maybe it's too early to say this, but in his later years, Carlin was just not funny at all. I saw him live in Vegas 5 years ago, and it was a sad, sad show.

Anyway. I choose to remember his younger days.

"Even if you never met him, you know this guy. He's the guy who can't get into the country club, he's without a date, holding a diet coke and a cheap cigar that stands against the wall head down hiding his pimples and thinks up rumors he can spread about everyone who passes by."

Karl, Karl, Karl, the boy genius, our own turd-blossom who masterminded the worst presidency in the history of the USA. Keep 'em Komin' Karl. The more you're in the spotlight, the better for us liberal/progressives.

Iran is no superpower. With a GPD comparable to the state of Alabame, it knows that it would be suicide to even remotely threaten Israel.

On top of that, the news coming out that Iran faked it's missile tests (http://www.drudgereport.com/flashim.htm), will make the neo-cons push for war even more remote.

The chicken hawks are looking more ridiculous every day.

I know it's not as concerted, or Rovian an effort, but more and more we are hearing that McCain is cranky, has a short fuse, and is old. This is not coming directly from Obama ads, but it certainly is the buzz with the beltway boneheads.

Just don't think it's gonna fly this time around.

Just what we need, another idiot in the whitehouse who doesn't give any thought before he speaks.

McCain's answers were quick. He hit all his talking points. He mercilessly pandered (to Clintonistas with the Ebay hero, to Warren, quoting his book, to prolifers with his supreme court answer .. even though he voted for all of them).

Like many on this forum I hate the fact that in order for a candidate to win they have to 'prove' their spirituality. I long for the day a candidate tells the world it's none of your damn business. But for now, one step at a time.

A black president, and Republicans out.

Also, it was clear that Obama treated this forum as an interview. Answering Warren directly, looking at his questioner. McCain however turned to the audience on most questions, treating the forum as a town hall meeting.

Finally, is anyone sick of this 'my friends' crap. It's so disingenuous. I first heard heard back when he was 'spanking' Romney at the debated.

How anyone can be impressed with Mr. My-Friends is beyond me. The man can't think on his feet. He is one pandering sound bite after another.

The quick responses, and talking to the audience instead of the moderator show what a robot this man is.

I wish Obama didn't do this. I wish he didn't have to. I am glad he did, and know he had to.