Ah, Readerreader, I don't think XH was disrespecting you on Good Friday/Easter weekend, he's just energetic. But he will weigh in for himself. Meanwhile, Happy Easter, a belated Happy Pesach, and thanks to everyone who's genuinely trying to engage with the other side.

Readerreader, I think that's a good question that I can't answer. I don't engage well with everyone I disagree with but I do, mostly, try to honestly engage with you. Your Sarah Palin respect I don't understand, but the fact that you periodically admit the faults of Republicans and the draw of Obama makes me think you're someone I should welcome here, and read when I see your name (quite honestly, I'm crazy busy, and there are other Republicans in our threads I mostly don't read.)

And there are also, honestly, times when I think you're a provocateur who none of us could ever convince of our POV.

But...the truth is, I enjoy mixing it up with people -- here or on Hardball -- who argue intelligently, treat me with respect, pronounce my name correctly, don't use nicknames, don't gratuitously insult me or other (non-asshole) Salon letter writers. And you usually rise to the occasion; it's shocking how rare that is, while you are shocked that you are sometimes/often treated poorly.

We all might need each other someday; I think you know that; I think a lot of other right wing folks in this letters thread have never had that occur to them. Interesting distinction.

I have to admit, I thought of that too -- why was he booked on "This Week" on Easter, anyway?

Yes, virt, awesome catch.

I believe it's a lie, but I can imagine a reason for it. It's insanely stupid of me to give a right-winger like Warren any benefit of the doubt, since your team never gives our team anything like that.

In the future, on Easter, in keeping with the virt POV, I will stomp on anybody who shows weakness the way Warren did and never allow that they might be confused. Because that's what your side does to my side.

Kidding. I will go on being who I am, because virt, you're irrelevant, changing nothing, having no impact. And I do feel like I'm making some progress in the world.

But belated Happy Easter and God Bless You...I really believe s/he sent you here to our site to turn your heart, but it's taking longer than anyone expected because you're a stubborn guy, huh? Good luck! Best to your lovely wife!

Thanks everyone, a lot to think about: But am I crazy to begin to wonder whether there are any Republicans who feel guilty about this and know it's over, and who might begin to move Coleman that way? Do any Republicans realize our economy could collapse, and between Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Somali pirates, Israel/Palestine...we really need a lot of help, and it might make sense to declare this conflict over? Democrats have done that before (in my opinion, Al Gore did, but that may be a little shrill on my part.) The complete hard line the GOP is taking on every single thing -- Coleman, stimulus, "Obama won't stop the Pirates!" TARP, budget -- is actually kind of alarming to someone who periodically gets jittery and centrist, when I think that might help.

Imagine if the Democrats had said, on Sept. 12, 2001: This president is weakened! He's to blame for what just happened; our comeback is all about painting him as responsible for this. We ain't backing him on anything; he's a one-term loser.

Can you imagine? That's what Republicans are doing on every front to Obama. They will be sorry, but they're not sorry yet. Let's work on that.

Melissabatman, I would like to hear more about your point of view. I appreciate being reminded it's not always about your tax bracket. But I'd like to hear more about what you think Obama should be doing with the mess he inherited.

bernbart, I don't think anyone needs to hear about your high tax bracket -- you sound like you're bragging about how much money you make and the taxes you pay; it's a parody of Democratic elitism. I'm sure you don't mean that.

kimbah, am I ugly? Really? My family doesn't think so! Have they been sheltering me? Please post your picture where we can see it and judge you. Also, your real name, which of course, I use here. So many anonymous cowards, so little time.

Judging from your letters over these last months, you're not a terribly beautiful influence in the world, never looking for ways to reconcile opposing points of view. But please, enjoy insulting me on my blog. Every time I fail to live up to my standards and take a cheap shot, you'll make me look good. I need you, kimbah. God bless you.

bernbart, I wasn't dismissing your opinions, I was reflecting back how you sounded. You might not care about that, I was just helping you think about how you might be more persuasive. You hang in here, bernbart, and you mean well, and yet you get a lot of guff. Rather than trash you, I was just trying to...observe. I didn't mean it to be as critical as it may have sounded.