I think that, no matter how uncomfortable it is, Obama had to end up addressing "class." This issue dogged our Party and hurt Dean, Kerry and many other Dem candidates in the past.

Also, since Barack sticks to his guns (unintended -- but it works) and doesn't back down, he will, at the very least, earn respect that more pandering Dem candidates can't.

Obama has dealing with old Democratic "ghosts" head-on. Not flinching. Acting firm. Having integrity about his convictions. And he continues to treat Americans like grown-ups.

Strength is what the American people want. It's something that Republicans have known for a while. But, as Bill Clinton himself said: If you can't be right, at least be strong.

I believe Obama is correct but though some people may not think he is right, they can at least see that Obama is strong in his convictions and that he won't back down and pander.

And THAT is good for the Democratic Party.

I have been a feminist since I was 13 and wore my "A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle" t-shirt" to school.

But, I am SICK TO DEATH OF ALL THE WHINY, VICTIM CRAP!! Especially in Salon -- which is usually where I go for solace from the Mainstream Media.

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IS THERE HORRIBLE SEXISM IN THE WORLD?

Yes.

IS THERE HORRIBLE RACISM IN THE WORLD?

Yes.

But, there is no need to hold a freaking competition to see which is worse. BOTH ARE AWFUL.

Now, let's nominate a Democratic candidate.

Freedom of speech is one thing, but calling Obama a "pimp" and a "devil" is hate speech.

And unacceptable.

Mr. Lind spends a lot of time and space explaining the problem and what Obama did wrong. But, I didn't see much effort put into what he believed should be done about it or into scolding Hillary for how she made the situation worse!

In the end, I think dealing with the issue of class in the election was inevitable Though, I think it might have been better for Obama to be able to pick the time, place and words himself -- not have a faux journalist who went to school with Hillary and whose husband has given Hillary $25,000 -- reveal private conversations.

Eventually, it is the white males themselves who have to decide whether they are going to continue to be exploited by the GOP or whether they are going to start being more aware of the long-term consequences of their voting patterns.

Otherwise, we will have to build new coalitions of voters that will make them unimportant. Then, white males can find out what it is like to be a constituency that no one cares about!

Won't that be interesting?

I think the war will be one of the major reasons John McCain will lose -- no matter how dirty the election gets and no matter how many "culture war" distractions the GOP tries to get away with.

It will also show why McCain is not fit to be "Commander in Chief," even if he was a hero so many years ago. McCain cannot seem to remember basic facts: The Army Times caught McCain in another gaffe as he spoke as if General Petreaus was the overall CENTCOM Commander or the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff -- by saying that he would defer to Petraeus in making any decisions about shifting troops to Afghanistan. Petraeus is Commander of our forces in Iraq -- only -- a fact he reiterated at his testimony last week.

And now, I will show my "Obama bias." The war is also the reason we need Obama to be the Democratic candidate. I am sorry -- I know I risk a volley of Rezcko/elitist/inexperience/sexist/possibly Muslim/unpatriotic/Radical Black/Marxist/unknown quantity/just sort of icky -- comments, but the bottom line is this:

The Democratic Party needs a candidate who can say -- loudly and clearly that he or she did not support or vote for the war. Even if it was simply because he or she was not in office.

Period.

Obama can get all the economic advisers that Hillary could get, and have Bill help him and even get advice from the Clintons on his Cabinet choices (if they are all still speaking to each other after this primary) -- but Clinton cannot change the fact that she voted for the war. That makes her unable to be as effective as Obama in fighting McCain.

And, as the situation in Iraq gets worse, the war will be more and more important in the General Election.

The Democrats will need a candidate who can clearly separate himself/herself from that fateful decision in 2002 and take the country toward a better future.