How does one accurately distinguish between personal animus and sexist or misogynist comments? From the outset, everyone has known that Hillary Clinton, as a candidate, had one huge drawback: her negatives were extremely high and deeply entrenched. Is this because she is a female political leader or because she was a tremendously visible and divisive First lady?

When the attacks came, yes they were over the top. There were some clear excesses, such as Chris Matthews's statement about Hillary being a candidate due to her husband cheating on her. Frankly, I don't see that as sexist. Abusive? Maybe.

For those who would suggest that a woman cannot be a powerful leader and not be demonized as a She-Beast, I find the evidence lacking. Christie Todd Whitman was a forceful and popular governor for NJ. Kathleen Sebelius has proven to be both effective AND popular as a governor. The latter could be a presidential candidate herself in 2012. If being a woman and a powerful leader have not undermined these women, then why is this excuse legitimate for Hillary Clinton.

Nothing wrong with that. If you want your child to lead a particular kind of life, you have to be the role model for it. Goodness knows any teen will call you on your own hypocrisy to your face so you may as well walk the walk, so to speak.

Are you suggesting that every person who doesn't care for Hillary Clinton is being disingenuous about why they dislike her? I'm sorry, that's not sexism, it's distrust and dislike.

Hit out at McCain early & often, paint him as the ultimate Washington insider, owned by special interests and a Bush-clone, unwilling or unable to work for average Americans. This is the message that can bring down McCain. The entire Democratic Party just needs to hammer it home, as one voice, for the next 6 months. Obama needs more surrogates from the party to go on the attack.

In-fighting, contradictory messages, "fired" advisors resurfacing. Now that is sure sign of a great leader, right?

Yes, Hillary has faced some disrespectful comments, some with seixst overtones. I think that Hillary has played a false hand though. There have been no sexist comments that come close to Geraldine ferraro's heinous accusation that Obama has only gotten to his position because he is a black man. Totally outrageous, and unlike the comments thrown by people like Chris Matthews, blatantly a racial remark.

Hopefully, this union has some clout with its members. They need to be selling the Democratic nominee, almost certainly Obama, to the coal mining masses.

I think it's high time for serious jail time, not restraining orders, for those who attack animals. I really don't care about the circumstances, just let abusers know that they can go to jail for attacking both people and animals. It should come as no surprise that some abusive men harm animals in retaliation when we know all too well that they will harm or even kill their partner's children.

Many things go into leading a woman to tolerate abuse. Psycholgical or sexual trauma, mental illness or addiction, just plain poverty. We also unfortunately live in a country where we ask, as you did, why the WOMEN tolerate abuse. Why not ask why the MEN are abusive? Why don't their families step in? Well, it's just a whole lot easier to point fingers. Helping someone to leave a situation that is dangerous to their psychological and physical well-being is difficult and requires resources: legal, fincancial, medical, psychological and otherwise.

There is no decision that any person can make that ALLOWS a person to harm them. Period. Staying out of fear of further abuse is not the fault of the victim either. It is always, always the fault of the abuser. That's why domestic abuse is a crime.

OTOH, I have a personal problem with any woman who allows her children or her animals to be harmed. That's the one line that I draw as far as sympathy goes. You must fight for your children.

If you do basic research you know all costs that are associated with buying a house. My husband and I bought a home 2 yrs ago when the market was hot. We didn't buy a home in a neighborhood at the top of what we could afford, we bought a good house right in the mid-range. It's really not that hard.

I can't believe that Clinton's campaign hopes trundle on despite overwhelming evidence that she lost the primary. Like a child in the backseat of a car for a too long trip, I want to ask, "Is your campaign dead yet, Hillary?"

At this stage, it's difficult to know what would be more harmful, Clinton as VP, Clinton as supporter-who-gets-her-debts-paid or Clinton-out-in-the-cold. Mind you, I say harmful, because after the various antics during the campaign season by both Bill and Hill, I really don't see a way in which Hillary helps propel Obama without serious negatives as well.

I've reconciled myself (steeled myself really) to the possibiltiy that the prolonged tantrum that is now Hillary's once purposeful campaign, may mean that Obama will NEED Hillary just so that some of her more logic-challenged supporters won't run out and vote McCain. This is where we are. Last time I swear: I can't stand Hillary Clinton anymore. There, now it's out of my system.

Kathleen Sebelius might have been a great pick at one time. This election needs someone with more fight and frankly, presence. Personally, I'd go for a Jim Webb or a Nunn. However, Hillary has made it all about her. It's not about women, it's not about the party or our country. It's all about her. Unfortunately, many of her supporters have bought into that narrative and will undermine a Hillary-less candidacy. If she wants the job, it may have to be hers, much as I hate to say it.