You made an excellent point: "White America is not binary racist/non-racist. There is a broad spectrum ranging from white supremacists on the far right to the truly colorblind. But in the middle of this spectrum are large numbers of people who WANT to be non-racist but can't help viewing things through long-ingrained stereotypes."

I have always thought the "race" problem Obama would face would be the people in the "middle of the spectrum." Many of those people don't want to be racist and may not be ready to see a black man as capable of being President. But over the next two months this will change as more and more people see Obama and see that he is capable, competent, wise, intelligent, etc. And I agree that Biden is a superb pick. He will help the ticket in many ways but also by moving many people to the point where they can accept Obama as President.

Now, everyone needs to get out there - get on the phone banks, get on your walking shoes and go door-to-door. I have arthritis (oh, I hope Phil Gramm doesn't accuse me of whining) in both knees and one ankle but, hey, lots of Advil keep me going! There is an 80something women who comes to the office near my home with her caregiver - she is in a wheelchair but she and her caregiver come in a couple of times a week to phone bank. That is pretty inspirational.

If you live in a solid blue state and can afford to, consider spending some time in a swing state. I'm in Virginia and you would not believe the energy here.

As usual you do not bother to do any research to support your claims. (You can test my evidence by doing your own Google search on Ms. Bartoshevich - got 648 hits.)

A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article dated June 14th states that Ms. Bartoshevich told the nespaper that she would vote for John McCain in November. Apparently Ms. Bartoshevich is also active in Citizens for McCain - a branch of the McCain campaign created to recruit Democrats and independents.

She was not removed from the Wisconsin delegation not because she refused to sign what you call a "loyalty oath." No, she was removed because she refused to honor a pledge of intent signed by all delegates.

According to a June 27th story on the MSNBC website: "Joe Wineke, [Chairman of the Wisconsin Democratic party], said it's clear Bartoshevich violated party rules by failing to honor a pledge of intent to vote for the party's presidential ticket in the fall. Wineke added that Bartoshevich would not have been chosen to be a delegate if people had known beforehand that she would vote for McCain if Obama were nominated."

This is the pledge that all delegates make (long before the convention):

"The specific articles he referred to state that delegates 'will not publicly support or campaign for any candidate for President or Vice President other than the nominees of the Democratic National Convention, and that delegates are presumed to be “bona fide Democrats who are faithful to the interests, welfare, and success of the Democratic Party of the United States.”

(Source: July 28 article in Journal Times - Racine, WI)

You are 100% correct when you say that it is Republicans and the media that are fanning the flames of this non-issue. As you note, there may be a few Clinton supporters who will vote for McCain. But my experience "in the field" as an Obama volunteer in Virginia tells me that they are very few indeed. And my experience tells me that the number of Republicans who will crossover to vote for Obama will be large. I've talked to lots and lots of Republicans who are disgusted with their party and have decided to vote for Obama or are leaning that way.

So, no worries Dems!! The party is united and former Clinton supporters are working just as hard to elect Obama as are his original supporters.

Obama will win in November. And, for the first time since 1964, the Democratic presidential candidate will take Virginia. Wa-hoo-wa!!

The reason why so many posters may try to "bait you" is because your definition of "respect" is: you respect me if you agree with me. I have noticed that when a letter writer uses facts to challenge you (I include myself) you rarely respond with facts that support your arguments. And I find this true of many anti-Obama letter writers. So, if you want respect give those on the opposite side of the argument the courtesy of responding to their arguments with fact-based counter arguments of your own. And be open to the idea that you might be wrong on your facts. I try to do that.

I once included McCain in a list of right-wing war supporters who would never dream of letting their kids go to Iraq in a post. Another letter writer told me that McCain's son was serving in Iraq. I admitted I was wrong. And it was certainly unfair of me to include McCain in that list.

It is clear that jebldmm has no interest in engaging in respectful and dispassionate discourse. It is clear that she has no respect for anyone with opposing views. It is clear that she has no interest in dealing with facts.

I googled "Debra Bartoshevich" and posted a letter on this thread based on the news reports that I found. The news reports contradicted a post by jebldmm. Of course, my interpretation of news reports is influenced by my opinions and biases. So, I am willing to entertain other interpretatons of the evidence as long as they actually engage with the evidence. jebldmm how about it?