Carol, I will give some thought to what I am projecting on the obnoxious Obama supporters who drive me crazy. I have suggested some ideas in other letters threads, but basically, I think it's because they are at once me, and not me. I have lived in Madison, Harold Washington's Chicago, Oakland and San Francisco. I am the editor of this Web site. I am probably part of Obama's "liberal cultural base," in Tom Davis's formulation. But I'm also a working class Irish Catholic from Long Island, whose extended family of cops and firefighters and steamfitters are the proverbial "Reagan Democrats." I believe that two factors have been key in preventing the establishment of a European-style social democracy/social support system in this country. No. 1 is race, and racism (as well as ethnic divisions that divided the working class apart from race). No. 2 (for me) is the tendency of many on the left to prefer ideological purity to building big-tent coalitions; to boast about their intellectual, moral and political superiority rather than make common cause with the poor slobs who disagree with them or in this case are more likely to support Clinton. I see far too much evidence of No. 2 in the statements and attitudes of Obama supporters here and elsewhere. I think some racist Clinton supporters have certainly limited her reach, and in the unlikely event she is the nominee, she will have to work hard to heal the rifts caused by some of her campaign statements and tactics. But on balance, I think I worry most about obnoxious Obama supporters limiting his reach because, as you've noted before, he's the front-runner and it looks like he's going to be the one charged with pulling together a national electoral coalition to beat John McCain.

Funny Salon-Obama story in the New York Times today: Apparently, we helped get "Dreams From My Father" back in print:

Then in March 2004, Mr. Obama’s political and literary fortunes abruptly shifted. His victory in a tightly contested United States Senate primary in Illinois made him an overnight Democratic Party sensation. In New York City, Rachel Klayman, an editor at Crown Books, read a Salon.com article on Mr. Obama by the author Scott Turow, an Obama friend, titled “The New Face of the Democratic Party — and America.”

Historical footnote: The Turow piece was commissioned by Sidney Blumenthal, to his credit.

Well, brewmn, I have to be happy you're not tossing around the C-word anymore. That's a step up. Who knows where you might get to if you keep up that steep ascent!?

blondeone, you're a font of wisdom, as always. Just FYI: I was Sidney's boss, as VP of news in 2004, and Sid brought in the Turow piece, but I edited it. I'm very proud of it. Not sure David knew about it until he saw it. He was busy back then. But I appreciate your passionate interest in the inner workings of Salon. Happy to answer questions so people don't embarrass themselves about things they might wonder about but couldn't be expected to know. I'm here for you, blondeone.

I wasn't bragging on this one. I thought it was fascinating. And as I've written here, I loved "Dreams." "Audacity," not so much, but worse books get bigger contracts, and all hail Obama for making money for writing about race relations and politics. It's awesome. The NYT piece actually had a strange undercurrent of "how dare he be so ambitious about his writing?" I don't feel that, at all.

Thank you, FaulknerJr, that was a great letter.

Carol Richards, you know how much I respect you, but I honestly have no idea what you're trying to say. I admit I don't keep up on the comments elsewhere; I have a real job, being editor here; I added a blog; I also participate in the letters thread of my blog more than any one in my position I'm aware of...so what is it you're asking of me? If you don't think the Obama supporters' comments in all of our threads about Appalachia -- oh, and John Edwards -- merit mention, well, we just disagree. It really sickens me. But I've got a chip on my shoulder about class, I suppose.

And Patricia, yeah, blast that trailer park crowd. That's the way to build a coalition. Sheesh.

Thanks Eric Berry, you make my point for me without intending to. Of course I won't dignify such a suggestion with a denial. Please. But I'm really glad even you recognize how toxic such views are to Obama and all Democrats.

Um, Eric, it was a direct quote from the original Appalachia thread. Please try again.

doloresflower, I understand your frustration, but he'll be expected to win quite a lot of demographics to beat John McCain. He might be able to do it without Appalachia, to be honest. But he won't be able to do it without people who think we ought to fight for Appalachia, and who are appalled by the bigotry and yes, elitism, of too many of his admirers.

Eric Berry, are you reading what I'm writing? Seriously. First you claim the ignoramus comment wasn't there. Now you admit it's there, but claim I claimed it was representative, when in fact, I said the Appalachia letters thread was a "great debate" where "most people are grappling with real issues."

XH, you're wearing me out. Go read my letters at the end of my signature. Even Eric Berry understands why I'm concerned about this. I've explained it a million times. Contempt for the white working class has been toxic to Democratic majorities as long as I've been conscious. You guys are free to disagree with me, but stop pretending I haven't answered your questions. I take it as affection -- you and Carol and doloresflower like me, and you want me totally on your side. Thank you! And I feel affection for you -- and therefore I am really exasperated why my answers aren't enough! So we're even!