First, this is a blog about life on the campaign trail -- not a serious analytical political column. Second, why is everyone so quick to take offense? It was a cute blog about how a story gets repeated over and over at various campaign stops (which is true). It was not some sort of secret pro-Clinton hit piece against Obama. It was told with affection, I think -- or at least with a wink about some of the perils of political reporting.

Was it a bit "insider?" Maybe. It is a POLITICAL BLOG, people. I think Mr. Shapiro assumes that interested political wonks are reading this blog. Not a bunch of prissy political wannabes who only seem interested in guarding the interests of their own particular candidate choice.

Loosen up.

Whatever it takes! With some men I know, I wouldn't care if it took a "Happy Ending" to get them to starting paying to get properly groomed! I had one -- very quickly EX-boyfriend -- ask me to pluck something and I told him to go "Pluck himself!"

Sorry guys, pay to make yourself as delectable as possible! If it takes a sexy female salon professional to get you to get rid of those tufts of hair growing out of places we have to look at, nibble and kiss -- then that is "piggy" behavior many of us will be willing to put up with. Just come home all sleek and lovely and we'll help you deal with all the pent up arousal you may have after your "procedures."

I would suggest, gentlemen, that any upscale salon will have attractive workers who will get your blood flowing just as well in a much more elegant setting, who will do a better job and make your partner even more happy when you arrive home. Just tell'n ya.

Lest I be accused of "piling on," I will admit I am an Obama supporter right off the bat. But I am also a Conason fan. And a loyal Dem and liberal. Which is why I am a bit surprised by this column which comes out of "left field." I don't see any purpose to it. As someone who has hosted Congressional Delegations -- "Codels" -- overseas -- I can assure you Mr. Conason, that Senator Obama's dearth of visits to the capitals of Europe is no great loss to the American people. Believe ME!

Also the Republicans controlled the Senate until last January. Are you telling me that Obama should have been working hard at SUBCOMMITTEE work instead of running for president in the 11 months since then? Are you kidding me?

I hope this is the last time you (or Mr. Clemons) will write such an unhelpful column -- without coming out and announcing whether or not you are supporting a particular candidate.

Those of us who are not happy about the article are not "upset" that Obama's "shortcomings" have been pointed out. We already know most of the shortcomings of our chosen candidate and of the other Dem candidates -- and if we did not, we would only have to read Walter Shapiro's piece on the subject in today's Salon to be reminded.

But we believe that Obama's shortcomings are minimal and that he is the BEST candidate to lead the country and win the general election next November.

Why does all of this have to be a "zero sum gain?" I took out mean stuff about Hillary from my earlier comment before I posted it because I decided it wasn't relevant. I decided I didn't need to put Hillary down to make a point about a bad column about Obama.

The anti-Obama posters might want to think about that. Come February, we Dems are going to have to pull together to fight off the GOP. I will work hard for my Party and my Democratic candidate. I hope all of you will too -- no matter how disappointed each of us may be for a little while this February.

THINK ABOUT THE ALTERNATIVE!!!!

I told them they had just gotten me back after their stupid "Times Select" experiment but that I would go back to reading my favorite NY Times columns posted on outside web sites if they hire Kristol, whom I consider a cretinous, partisan hack and who is already on the Murdoch payroll.

I will NOT go to the NY Times site or look at any of their advertisers if they bring Kristol on board. He is toooo much. There are too many other news sites to turn to these days to support a newspaper that insults me time after time!

If others want to do the same, be my guest!

All the "non-Obama" folks seem to be running scared and getting meaner and meaner. Well, I support Obama now but I will support the Dem candidate no matter who he or she is later. And I trust all of you will too.

The point is to keep a Repub from choosing the next Supreme and starting the next preemptive war. Just for starters...

So, don't get too bent out of shape folks, cause we will probably have a nominee by the middle of February by the latest and everybody will need to kiss and make up then.

So let's not get too toxic. KK? (As my 16 year old daughter would say.)

"Tomorrow Belongs To Me" is a song from the movie Cabaret -- sung by Nazis. Are you really saying that the Obama movement is like the Nazi Movement?

You really don't mean to say that, do you?

That would be so OTT, it is beyond rational thought.

Shame on you Jim H, if that is what you mean. That is waaaayyy beyond the pale.