I would, if he'd do two things: stop with the attacks on Hillary -- but that's his supporters, of course, who have more half-baked, right-wing smears of Hill than Rush Limbaugh -- and if I knew who the hell he was. Really. Read his position papers. Almost all of them are to the right of Hillary's and Edwards'. He may rope in some independents that way, the sort who are fretting over whether to vote for McCain or Obama (what world do they live in?), but he's leaving a lot of Democrats behind. Okay, so part of my support for Hillary is because I know her -- not personally, but I can follow her moves. Thing is, in the Reagan era, the DLC approach worked, eventually, to get Bill in the White House. What did they try to do? Get the budget in order. Get the rich to pay their share. Get universal health passed. How did the right punish him? By defaming him and Hillary, obstructing the health care plan, and electing the Republican Congress. That's when the triangulation began, and you know what? It worked. He couldn't stop the Republican onslaught, but he blunted its impact. Many's the day in 1995 that I welcomed that veto pen.

Now, the era of the DLC is over. Remember the Yearly Kos? The DLC meeting was at the same time. Which did Hillary attend? Yearly Kos. I understand their moves.

But who is Obama? Seriously. What kind of guy says he's for universal health care, but whose plan doesn't take the steps necessary to get it? What kind of guy proposes a tax cut, until the other candidates, seeing the economy crumble, offer real stimulus plans, and meanwhile, Obama follows up the rear with a more timid plan? Is he just trolling for Independents? Does HE have principles? If so, what are they? I'm not trying to be obtuse. I just don't get the appeal. You know, like the kid who says, "But... you're not wearing any clothes!"

I've got to say, I see a very smart, very tough pol, of the Chicago ward boss type, who just doesn't want to spell out what he'll do because it might risk either party regulars or the indpendents. The guy's got a mystique, sure. I don't want no mystique, I want to know what he'll do.

At this point, it will make a difference to me.

but the problem seems not to come from the top of either campaign. I know, I know, Hilary = Bush, and Obama luvs Reagan, and there's a bunch of silly slogans making the rounds. I'll support either, though I have a preference for Hillary, because I do this foolish thing and read the position papers, and I'm discovering that Hillary's announced policies aren't quite as far to the left as Edwards, but Obama is vague about how much further to the right he is. Obama's rhetoric is great, but I keep on wondering "Where's the beef?" I can even understand if a politician leaves some of the details off of their plan, because they don't want to be accused of being a wonk, or an inflexible woman (thanks, Chris!), nor accused of selling out if they drop something to get the bill through the Senate. But Obama's positions are vague enough that I need to trust him, to know "what he means." And the truth is, I don't know what he means.

I sure would love it if the Democratic Party dropped these ridiculous caucus systems and went to straight, one-man one-vote primaries.

Clinton has a lot of impressive Latino leaders working for her. Obama has made some inroads into the Latino voters, like the Culinary Workers and the Los Angeles unions run by Maria Elena Durazo -- potentially a bigger catch. The old civil rights establishment endorsed Clinton before they were sure that Obama was running, and they see no reason to back out, but their influence is waning. Nobody should be surprised if the black population votes for Obama. Why wouldn't they? He's a great candidate. However, nobody should be surprised by the Latino vote or by women. Women are responding to the "first female president" promise. Latinos love the Clintons. Obama is still a mystery to them.

But this could only become a race 'war' if the commentariat fans the flames. I'm sorry the sights and sounds of full-on politics distresses you, Joan. But it's not bigotry or bad emotions. It's Democratic tribalism. A big Mardi Gras parade. Don't let it worry you. We'll all unite come November.