Entering this long thread very late, but entering nonetheless (glutton for punishment am I?).

I wrote to the Obama campaign today with a serious “beg” not to choose Kaine as VP. Bayh either. Ridiculous. I don’t even need to cite the reasons because others have said it already, and very well. Thank you. I also offered (“for your consideration” a la Rod Serling) opinions such as: Clinton would be a disaster (and no, I am NOT NOT NOT a Hillary hater, nor a Bill hater). It has nothing to do with whether she is qualified. It has everything to do with whether she is a good fit with Obama (duh, NOT) (an aside: would SHE want that match-up? would she truly want to be the running mate? she could do great things in her Senate seat!!!) and with how both the press and the McCain camp would have a freakin’ field day. Let’s trot out the video/audio of Clinton saying the Democratic nominee is not experienced enough or ready to lead…i.e., her statements during the campaign…and watch the games begin. McCain’s already saying it. We need more ammo aimed against us?

I have been hesitant to post on Salon lately because personal attacks are on a rampage! (Though I did find out from the Broadsheet-referred “fun site” that I am 39% female and 61% male…I had to check my parts, but I was glad to find they were all in the right places and yes, in some strange way, it was fun!)

Anyway, I think there are many people posting posts (to various articles) that are worth attention and debate and/or support. Are there trolls? Oh yeah. But I thought the point was to ignore them, or at least heave a knowledgable shove-off, without collapsing into pages and pages of giving them even more page time! I’d rather listen to, and learn from, the commenters who have something to express and truly want to engage in these important topics (plural, meaning, not just this article thread).

So sue me---I want a Democrat for POTUS. So sue me---I am backing Obama wholeheartedly.

And now is the time for the requisite Salon.com caveats. First, I will repeat that I don’t hate Hillary at all. Second, I must recite the Greenwald creed that Obama’s vote on FISA was not good. (Necessary because Greenwald has assumed the mantle of “The One” every bit as much as Obama “presumptively” has…geez, talk about not being able to post without getting massacred!) Third, where is the editor of this site? I’m not saying that pejoratively speaking. I am saying---where’s the hall monitor? If I had to go Fourth, I guess I’m also saying that I’m apparently addicted to Salon.com, despite what I consider a decline since I began “using,” and now I’ve got a real “pusher”…is “egg ‘em on” and “let ‘em duke it out” the best editorial strategy? Oh, I think there's a Fifth, too--I am entirely insulted by the Obamaton or whatever label. I don't judge how other people vote. Just PUHLEEZ don't judge me if this is the candidate I have chosen; it doesn't mean I'm enamored of his work-out shots. Judge me for this instead: I actually LIKE having an intelligent candidate. I'll leave it at that, otherwise I'll be on defense.

Ok, I’ve vented. Have at it if you want, or not.

What I want is NOT the nightmare of 2000 and 2004. I bought a really cool “donkey” cookie-cutter (and I don’t even bake!) during the Kerry campaign. I actually had family members, Republicans to the nth degree, seriously very upset and mad at me when I served them sugar cookies from store-bought dough with some purple icing to make purple hearts on the cookies, anti-Swift-Boat. Well, Kerry didn’t win. Me eat crow. Even more important, Gore didn’t win. (Or, technically, he did…guess it depends on which side of the court you’re on.)

I can’t even imagine voting for McCain. And I now live in Arizona! HE is my senator? Egads. Napolitano governor? Not bad at all. I'm a Democrat. I'm a progressive. But I'm not opposed to being pragmatic when it comes to policy or politics. (See two paragraphs above re: respecting Greenwald.)

Don't worry about me, Klytus. I just had one of those really p**sed off days and I don't care what anybody else has to say.

Except you!

If you "stand corrected," then why did you continue your major error by using the subject line "Obama's Ad"? On what planet would the Obama camp have to be living on to have produced this ad????? Of course it's intended to be blasphemous. DUH! So, blame the source of the ad. Read today's Salon article by Conason + comments. I'm sure you'll find something useful there.

Why would anyone who is planning to vote for the "presumptive" Democratic nominee bother to even attempt seriously engaging in a debate with you? You have defined what, from your POV, is a "typical Obama supporter" and what Obama "Supporters Say" and those pat characterizations are narrow at best. Sorry, but I don't fit your stereotype (neither do many people I know, who aren't here commenting on Salon.com, just making up their minds and going about their daily lives). Certainly I'm not going to try to change your mind. Last I checked, it's still a free country and all citizens registered to vote have the right to cast their votes however they choose. Your posts today have had every bit as much of a vitriolic tone as those of any poster you have criticized. I happen to like hearing various perspectives. I consider and learn from them. But once pidgeon-holing and personal attacks enter the scene, there's no learning--or sincere debate--to be had.