I've had this idea for a while, although I doubt they'd even consider it. They should go back to the pre-1994 rules: Two divisions in each league, east and west, with the first place team in each division playing each other in the LCS. Corrections would be made. Atlanta and Cincinnati would be in the NL East, etc. But, to make up for the lost revenue, teams as much as possible would only play the other teams in their division in September, and games between contending teams would be given a playoff-like status. Higher prices would be charged for those games and the TV contract would be worked out to nationally televise them. The excitement of the pennant race would be restored, the playoffs would truly feature the strongest teams, and best of all the World Series would end before the first snowfall.

I cannot believe you omitted the sexiest man alive--my husband!!! He's a teacher, smart, sensitive, has perfect pitch and flawless rhythm (he plays drums in his offtime) and drives me wild with desire. He is compact--no excessive musculature--with Lennon glasses, an adorable goatee and a biting sense of irony. I guess you left him out because he is neither rich nor famous, he's just perfect. Oh, well.

The Iowa register quotes a couple of voters who say that they were contacted by Obama supporters and at least one describes what sounds to me like push-pulling.

I also read the Times article and unless I read it incorrectly, they seem to quote only Republicans in support of the thesis of the article. The Democrats they quote disagree, so how is the Clinton campaign being sloppy?

I'm confused by your comments.

I'm from Chicago, and Axelrod is just another political machine hack. When Obama went on Cnn to defend the comment, he tried to cut Blitzer off when Blitzer attempted to read Axelrod's statement. Obama came across to me as nasty and petty. I know, I know, I'm supposed to suspend disbelief when it comes to Obama. I mean, he tells me he is against old-style politics, so I am supposed to believe him, no matter what facts I perceive.

Meanwhile, Edwards, a man with no actual standing in the US government, calls Musharraf and tells him what to do, then runs onto CNN to let us all know that Musharraf returns his calls!!!

Only Hillary, Biden, and yes, I'll say it, McCain, showed the gravitas called for by the situation. A great woman died, for God's sake.

This was in the Tampa paper (I live in Miami)

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/sep/30/obama-vows-do-whats-right/?news-breaking

By WILLIAM MARCH and ELAINE SILVESTRINI The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 30, 2007

Fundraising Totals | Primary States | Where They Stand

TAMPA - Barack Obama hinted during a Tampa fundraiser Sunday that if he's the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, he'll seat a Florida delegation at the party's national convention, despite national party sanctions prohibiting it.

Obama also appeared to violate a pledge he and the other leading candidates took by holding a brief news conference outside the fundraiser. That was less than a day after the pledge took effect Saturday, and Obama is the first Democratic presidential candidate to visit Florida since then.

Obama and others have pledged not to campaign in Florida until the Jan. 29 primary except for fundraising, which is what he was doing in Tampa.

But after the fundraiser at the Hyde Park home of Tom and Linda Scarritt, Obama crossed the street to take half a dozen questions from reporters waiting there.

The pledge covers anything referred to in Democratic National Committee rules as "campaigning," and those include "holding news conferences."

Obama seemed unaware the pledge he signed prohibits news conferences. Asked whether he was violating it, he said, "I was just doing you guys a favor. … If that's the case, then we won't do it again."

Frank Sanchez, a Tampa Obama supporter who helped organize the fundraiser, said the encounter illustrates the awkward situation the candidates have been put in by the controversy over the state's Jan. 29 presidential primary.

That date - earlier than allowed by rules of both major political parties - has led to a threat of sanctions against both Florida Republicans and Democrats, and to the Democrats' boycott pledge.

"This wasn't planned," Sanchez said of the brief press availability. "He was going to the car, and he just went across the street for a moment."

According to Sanchez and Tom Scarritt, Obama was asked during the event about making sure Floridians have a role in the nomination, despite the DNC sanctions and the pledge. Scarritt said Obama responded that he'll "do what's right by Florida voters."

The DNC has threatened to refuse to seat a Florida convention delegation because of the too-early primary, which the Florida Legislature decided on last spring. But if a candidate amasses enough delegates before the primary to ensure the nomination, that candidate would take control of the convention, including the power to seat a delegation.

State Democrats are considering asking all candidates to pledge they would seat the state's delegation.

The boycott pledge was demanded by the four states - Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina - which are allowed to hold primaries before Feb. 5.

Reporter William March can be reached at (813) 259-7761 or wmarch@tampatrib.com. Reporter Elaine Silvestrini can be reached at (813)259-7837or esilvestrini@tampatrib.com.

I loved this debate. I always find Hillary more substantive and clearer, a rare combination in the political world, but Obama uses wit well. The one question I still have for Obama is how, exactly, he intends to make healthcare more affordable if he isn't going to use caps.

Anyway, thanks.

Rezko was more than just a friendly donor, he was on Obama's finance committee for Obama's state senate run. Not that there's anything wrong with that.