I try to be realistic, but I was fooled too by the polls (I probably should have looked more specifically at them, but even if I did, I'm not sure I would have understood the significance of a substantial number of undecideds), and yes, maybe fooled by some of the media hype.

I'm glad for the wake-up call. Unfortunately, I doubt the media will learn anything from this at all. They've shown themselves impervious to outside influence. I wonder who will come up with the new meme the entire MSM can use to excuse themselves for this massive blunder of prognostication?

As a voter in California, I was expecting my vote not to count. Well, maybe now it will. That will nearly mean I live in a democracy, won't it?

--Ron Robertson

I mean Clinton, Edwards and Obama, I don't care about the republicans, except that they lose.

Even though I wasn't necessarily going to vote for Clinton, it really was bothering me that it seemed it was already over for her after Iowa. I'm glad it's not. I hope it's not over for Edwards. While losing sucks for anyone, I'm sure, these primary losses are only skirmish losses, and all of them have a chance to learn and to make themselves the best candidate possible. Strangely, when it seemed that Obama was going to be the democratic candidate, I was not happy with that, because despite some impassioned support from people here and elsewhere, I don't quite trust him, reading his positions and hearing his speeches weren't enough. Now, however, he'll have to be much more solid, and if he wins, I know that I'll be able to completely enthusiastic in voting for him in the general election, as I will be for either Edwards or Clinton. They'll have really earned their place.

I'm hoping that all 3 candidates will focus on substance and fight the real enemies we have to face at home, the neocon kooks running on the republican side, and not each other. Then, someday, I hope the republicans come to their senses and bring rationality back into their lives, but I fear, that will happen no time soon.

So, if you're an Edwards supporter, a Clinton supporter or an Obama supporter, make your case without trashing the other candidates. That won't make the case for you, it'll just piss off someone for no good reason. It's OK to point out what's true or not true, but I'm tired of stupid projection like "Clinton is a cold blah-blah-blah" or "Obama is a slick blah blah blah" or "Edwards is_____" (you get the picture). Debate and point out actual facts, not feelings, it's too important to get bogged down in claptrap.

--Ron Robertson

You have no way of knowing whether it was a trick or not. It'd be one thing if you said you have your doubts, but being so definite about it brings out the contrarian in me, since you're being definite about something you have no way of knowing.

Even if you're right, I don't think it's terribly important, do you?

--Ron Robertson

""Unfortunately for her, there are many people who feel as I do, and who will not vote for Hillary under any circumstances. When will Democrats wake up and realize that we have an amazing proclivity for nominating people who are destined to lose the general election?""

Perhaps you've just answered your own question?

--Ron Robertson

That's my impression of many of my fellow democrats (not all of you, but far too many), based upon reading threads here and in other blogs/websites.

All the candidates are forced to deal with lots of stupid media-created storms. I defy any of you to run a perfect campaign where nothing can be misconstrued.

Focus!

The problem isn't Obama being slick, or Clinton acting like Karl Rove, or Edwards' haircut (as none of these matter, whether or not they are true), it's the media making fools of nearly everyone, including themselves. If the media did their job, people wouldn't be personalizing so much of the campaign rhetoric and focus more on policy, and whether that policy can or should be implemented or improved. If that were done, all the republicans of today would be laughed out of existence, and we would argue merits (or lack thereof) of actual policies. Not personal projection of what Clinton, Obama, or Edwards are doing. It's all stupid horse-race shit, and no substance.

STOP hating the candidates you don't want to win, that's foolish and stupid, and is more likely to get us another republican nightmare for president. And anyone who really thinks that having a republican would be the same as or better than any of the democratic candidates they do not support should check themselves into an asylum and get help ASAP. None of these candidates deserve your hate, and if they are doing something you don't like, hate is not the appropriate response. Sure, it makes sense to be damned annoyed and disappointed, but if you think you're going to get anyone that won't annoy or disappoint you once they're elected president, then you're even more naive and foolish.

I've made my choice in this campaign, and it's going to be the DEMOCRAT. I think that logically that's the most important choice. The 3 candidates' positions are not that different overall and are a dramatic improvement over what's happening now. I wish all you haters would get that through your enormously thick skulls.

--Ron Robertson