to remain relevant.

If some of Salon's regulars are frightened by Obama's dedicated supporter today, they would have absolutely shit their pants at the torchlight rallies of the 1800-1900's that were popular in US political campaigns.

Imagine, Mile High Stadium filled with torch carrying Obama supporters!! OOOOOOH, Scary....

At least the Obama supporters aren't dancing to the F'n MACARENA!

After 9/11, "the people" wanted tough talk like "dead or alive", "coalition of the willing", "bring it on" and "freedom fries". Now after 7 years of having those phrases pounded back up their asses, they want something different.

So the msm will oblige them with Barak Obama, shining in the night sky with the brilliance of 1 billion "Branjolina's" (and their twins). Meanwhile, Senator McSleepy is chasing ducks off his lawn with a broom.

Floor fight at the Republican convention - Yeah, I've been wondering about that myself for the past 2 weeks. McCain better watch his back with his own kind or some mysterious "accident" could easily take him out of the race...

"Is there any way to meaningfully predict what the results might look like?"

Yes. Look at the tattered remains of the Illinois Republican Party post-George Ryan. (It's pretty awesome).

a giant welfare state.

against Obama in the 2006 senatorial race. That worked out just great.

spiffy up his image with the young people by making some college appearances. Should be very entertaining.

prevent him from making an important address.

where McCain could draw a crowd of 200,000. Not even Arizona.

No problemo. Obama will win without your vote. Have a nice day.

"paean of praise to the fortitude and moral courage that has been shown by George W. Bush in this time of terror and war."

This exists only in the funny pages.

and self-contradiction are symptoms of his contempt for the public.

You should really sign up for one of those English As A Second Language classes. It would make your time in my country more enjoyable for us both.

that Paris and Brittany are what passes for Royalty in this country.

that this contest is looking less like a presidential election and more like a referendum on whether or not America will tolerate an African-American President.

"Same" and "Old"

Ok, B-list celebrity. How about Arnold Schwartzenfucker? Sonny Bono, he was a Republican too, no?

never heard of a candidate being criticized for acting "presidential" until a black man ran for the office.

We're talking about the first amendment right to peaceably assemble. And that's what it is; a restriction on where peaceful, law abiding taxpayers can assemble and make their grievences heard.

how did the US manage to survive without them for over 200 years?

if the "other wise" posesses a shred of credibility.

"No one can make start decisions if they do not also consider and listen seriously to the other wise."

Thanks for pointing that out. I forgot the JFK was assassinated by a protester at a political convention. After all, a protest zone would have prevented Lee Harvey Oswald from getting that job at the book repository.

It's spelled elitist, not "ellitist", fucktard.

I agree, the property on which the convention is held is private property and subject to the same restrictions I enjoy in protecting my own property.

But the streets surrounding the convention are public property and should remain open and available to a lawful protest march. I'm not claiming that protesters should be allowed to storm the convention, or even enter private property. But they have the right to assemble peaceably at the closest public space to the convention, not in a fenced-in parking lot on the other side of town.

BTW, the first use of protest zones in the US were at the 1988 Democratic convention and used to keep the Operation Rescue people at bay. The purpose was to prevent disruption of the convention but it had nothing to do with the personal security of a candidate.

not because it directly affects a change, but because it keeps the issue in the news and the public's awareness.

As far as street theater goes, well that depends on where you're from. Here in Chicago, we're downright serious.

a voice of reason.

the cover-up is worse than the original offense. Bad timing all around.

the excuse they've been looking for to put Michelle Obama in play. Not that they wouldn't have done it eventually but Barak is giving them a gift-wrapped opportunity.

saved from the Georgians and taken under the benevolent wing of Russia. I'll be interested in seeing how well that works out for them in the long run.

if she had shown her tits at the biker party like her husband wanted.

of governing by crisis. Between now and, say, Nov 4. it would be clearly to the benefit of the Republican party to play a high-stakes game of brinksmanship with Russia in order to keep Mr. & Mrs. Flyoverstate terrified. It's a proven formula.

Everybody wants to go to Tehran, real men want to go to Moscow.

comment about West Virginians for a closer.

French? Freedom Fries, Coalition of the Willing? etc, etc?

Which is only 1 more jet than a homeless person has. So there!

just sewed up all of Puerto Rico's Electoral votes!

Elephantman!

McCain will be nailed down to the Official Republican Platform. A platform that will not be in the best interest of women, the poor, the middle class and those close to immigrants. Once that becomes clear it will become easier for the undecideds and independent moderates to make their choice.

Ignoring historical fact is a cornerstone of neo-conservative "thinking".

buying big red foam #1 fingers for the convention. Reporters hounding Palin about her qualifications. She is answering over her shoulder and clearly **cannot get away from the reporters fast enough**. Deer caught in the headlights. No experience with this kind of scrutiny.

has knocked-up teenage daughter. Big surprise.

would nominate a sucessionist.

is 16.

http://www.avert.org/aofconsent.htm

"why isn't it more?"

Because Barack Obama is a black man in America.