p.s.

I think Obama is a regular person. Not "normal" because, hey, he is in a position to be president of the country. But "regular" in the sense that he has basic strengths and basic weaknesses. If I thought he was psychopathic and somehow tricking us into thinking he was a regular human, I'd be worried. But I don't think he is crazy. Therefore, I don't expect him to change all that much. I think he may make the kinds of strategic correction you are hoping for, but I don't expect it. I think he may very well win the general, but I'm not sure that I expect it.

This may be our main difference, Joan. I think you are still powerfully passionate with an idealism about this election, knowing how HUGE it is that we start to get things right as a country. I agree with you, but my emphasis keeps shifting further away from the personalities "in charge". I think you probably need Obama to be much better than he really is and it's gotta be disappointing to see this regular Joe being held up, by some, as the solution to all problems. This makes Clinton almost feel safer and more appropriate; she certainly doesn't generate, on the whole, this type of "fresh and new" inspiration, therefore we can project the "smart and steady" stuff onto her. But they both will make big and little mistakes as president. They both will makes some things better (and these will be different based on their different strengths).

But I'm less prone to believe that either of them is what we critically need to turn things around. That is not a passive stance. I'm voting; and I'm excited to do so. I just don't see Obama as a solution; he's more of an indication (a maybe step) of a potential in each of us that a savior to me. Ok, time for me to get off the couch, Joan. Thanks for listening. To sum up: I'm probably about to stop projecting so much on you now. But I needed to really look at why your Obama-Fan fixation was so convenient for me to obsessively focus on.

If you find that i come back and bring up this point again, feel free to block my posts!