"Obama is feeling like the right person for the job right now, right on time." - Joan Walsh [2008-10-14]

Indeed. And, for some of us, Barack Obama has felt like the right person for the job since February 10th, 2007. November 4th, 2008 is the day that matters most. Let's finish strong and take nothing for granted!

After all, they only booed instead of screaming out "Kill her!"

It's probably best to play as if the score is tied up to and through November 4th. If you're convinced Obama is going to win, then strive to help him win by a larger margin. Stay hungry!

In Palin's "worldview" you're either pro-McCain Palin or anti-American. They will be shocked to learn on November 4th just how much of the nation is both patriotic and for Obama-Biden. Let the awakening begin!

Agreed, kicking someone in the back of the leg is a fairly passive "attack" - sounds like a young child throwing a tantrum. The conservative base has thrived for years on ignorance, fear, and hatred. As things continue to look bad for them, they will continue to act out in the only way they know. These are simply the death throes of a dying beast and we should all hope that we make it to election day (and beyond) without anyone getting seriously hurt. On November 5th, diehard conservatives will probably be very disappointed and/or looking to pick a fight. We should be prepared for both and do everything we can to ensure a smooth transition.

Ron Livingston was great in HBO's "Band of Brothers" mini-series. He may have just swung the "Office Space/Band of Brothers" undecided voter in Obama's direction. Of course, some will argue that Colin Powell's was a more significant endorsement...

"Obama will lose and it will be interesting to watch how America handles it". -- daddo3 Tuesday, October 21, 2008 04:05 AM

People have been predicting that "Obama will lose" since February 10th, 2007. Then he won, and won, and won, and won, and won again, and won some more... Is it possible that Barack Obama, with the help of his many millions of supporters, will prove the "naysayers" wrong once again? I certainly wouldn't bet against us. How will YOU handle it, Daddo3?

When will politicians learn that, in this technological age, they can't say outrageous things to "fire up the base" without EVERYONE finding out about it? They cannot continue to make inflammatory remarks to "safe" audiences and expect the broader public to remain unaware. Already today, Rep. Hayes and Sarah Palin have apologized for their previous statements. The strategy seems to be: First, send whatever hateful, coded message they want to the diehards. Then, apologize to a general audience because their comments were taken out of context, or apologize "in the event that anyone was offended". This works because the people who seek hate and division hear their message and reasonable people hear the apology. Don't buy it. Palin and Hayes meant what they initially said and seem genuinely surprised that anyone could think differently.

For the most part, mainsteam media are attempting to portray events factually. Unfortunately for McCain suporters right now, reality favors Barack Obama by a large margin. The narrative that exists in their heads (i.e., that Obama is a Muslim terrorist who built bombs with Bill Ayers when he was 8 years old) will not be appearing in reputable newspapers, magazines, TV news reports, or web sites. It's not a conspiracy to conceal "THE TRUTH" about Barack Obama - it's just that McCain supporters' perception of Obama is inaccurate, and their hatred is misdirected. Reporters, like scientists and intellectuals threaten this element of society because they provide information that is not always favorable to our preconceived beliefs and ideas.

I can imagine Ms. Todd's thought process: The mainstream press isn't reporting the truth about Barack Obama and his anti-American/terrorist/mugger "associates". I'll give them a reminder of what "those people" are like and then they'll believe me!

I expect that we'll see more of this behavior as the far-right worldview unravels. The racism will get less and less subtle.

"Enthusiasm" at McCain-Palin rallies? Recently, someone shouted out "Hussein socialist!" at a Palin rally. I suppose that's enthusiasm, but not the constructive or inspiring kind.

If only evidence and reason played the same fundamental role in politics that they play in scientific research.

I hate to pick on politicians' names, especially since conservatives have spent an inordinate amount of time shouting "Barack Hussein Obama", as if that had some deep meaning. Still, I can't help but giggle every time I hear "Saxby Chambliss". It just sounds like a fictional name for a wealthy, white male. Sort of like "Thurston Howell III" on Gilligan's Island. The ultimate irony is that Saxby Chambliss and his party accuse everyone else of being "elites". Of course, to be fair, Chambliss' name has about as much relevance as Obama's - none.

I don't think seven-year-olds should get married, same-sex or otherwise. Just kidding, of course. These kids have a suspicious interest in the legality of same-sex marriage for their age. Maybe they should just go outside and play.

"Proclaiming the fact that marriage is - and has always been - a union between man and woman is NOT hate."

Perhaps not hate, but definitely not fact either. Please read any introductory Anthropology textbook on the various forms and evolution of marriage. It may not change your opinion about same-sex marriage, but at least your argument will have a basis in fact.

My fundamental disagreement with conservatism and the Republican Party has always been their denigration of scientific approaches to problem-solving. Their presentation of scientific issues like biological evolution and climate change as if they were simply matters of differing "opinion" is particularly offensive. Over the years it has become increasingly clearer that conservatives are primarily concerned with enjoying the benefits of science while conserving (and encouraging) a pre-scientific worldview that helps keep them in power.