Obama lost my vote with his FISA flip-flop; I could have taken a lot from him, but not a flat-out screwing of the Constitution.

His VP pick merely confirms my belief that Obama is just more of the same, another calculating and sleazy liar (like McCain himself, come to think of it). This pick certainly does not bode well for the future of the Democratic Party. Say Obama wins and gets two terms: Biden will be 70 when he runs for President!

I see no hope for this country. We've let our future be sold to China and Russia, and face an increasingly bleak and hopeless 21st (and 22nd) century. We needed an FDR; instead we're stuck with a pack of sleazy opportunists.

It's a sad day for America.

"Obama did go back on his pledge to filibuster, which was a tactical decision."

A "tactical" decision? Let's see...he pledged to uphold a filibuster, and then not only failed to do so, he clearly telegraphed that he'd support the bill even if telecom immunity was included. You're free to call that what you want, but a broken promise by any other name still stinks.

And in my book, giving up the principle of equal justice under the law is anything but "tactical".

"Obama can much more effectively direct a reform of the FISA laws as president."

You're free to believe that your magical prince Obama will make everything all better. Just try not to cry too hard when it turns out that he's no better at standing up for Democratic principles after he's elected (if he's elected) than before. Get ready to be disappointed...

"I will bet good money that you would have had this response had Obama picked any other VP running mate, other than Clinton. Am I right?"

No, not at all. I've been an outspoken opponent of Hillary from day one. Feel free to look through my history here. Then send me the money you would have bet. Tens and twenties would be fine.

"Please, tell us all who it is Obama should have picked and why."

He should have chosen to keep his word. His VP selection doesn't matter to me; he'd already lost my vote.

"You're all opinion, no substance."

Just when did I run over your baby, Xrandadu? Why take it so personally? Are you Obama's mother? My posting history here is open for all to see. I supported Obama over Hillary, although even if I HAD supported Hillary, that wouldn't justify your attempts to make this personal. As for "substance", please tell us all about YOUR substantive contributions to the process. Sorry, online flames don't count!

"How does Obama's choice of running mate make him a "liar"? What's sleazy about it?"

Straw man. He's a liar because he pledge to uphold a FISA filibuster, and didn't. And that's pretty damned sleazy...as well as stupid, in my book. He told us he was a different kind of leader. Instead he's just a whore like most of the others.

"Why do I get the feeling you don't care about the Democratic Party to begin with?"

Because you're living in a fantasy world. I would refer you to my posting history here - or hell, do a Google search - but it seems very unlikely that you'll look it up. That would burst your cozy little bubble.

"....which is younger than McCain is right now! Um, earth to Peter -- the VP slot doesn't automatically ensure a future presidential run. That's not what it's all about."

Oooh, "earth to Peter"? Really? You aren't going to trot out "I'm rubber and you're glue"? Grow up. If you want to pretend that the VP isn't almost always the front-runner in the next contested Presidential race, there really isn't much I can do to help you recognize reality. But if you ever bother to open a history book, check it out. Dick Cheney is the exception, not the rule. And if Obama wins two terms, Biden is virtually certain to be the front-runner at the end of the Obama Presidency.

"Awww, snookums."

You really are desperate to make this personal, aren't you? I have to wonder why. Maybe because you know that you don't have a leg to stand on?

"Who was the FDR you wanted? Hillary Clinton? Or some mythical super-candidate?"

I supported Obama and hoped that he would provide the leadership our country needs. He's made it abundantly clear that he isn't that leader. We don't need another opportunists and liar in the White House. We may not survive it.

As for Hillary Clinton, I'll say it again: I despised her policies from day one. That's a matter of public record, right here on Salon, just one click away - don't be shy! But somehow I think that you'll manage to ignore that point.

Mythical super-candidate? As I said, Obama was acceptable to me - until he went back on his pledge. Triangulating is a stupid and self-defeating approach for the Democratic Party, but Obama seems to keep triangulating.

"You know, FDR didn't really prove himself until long after he had been president. So how do you know Obama won't be an FDR? You don't. You don't know jack."

No? But you seem to know that he'll be your savior. Let me get this straight: Obama lied, so you redefine lying as a "tactical" decision, which you apparently feel makes it perfectly okay. Do you have any standards at all? Is there anything that you won't excuse if Obama does it? From where I'm sitting, you sure sound like a dead-end Bush supporter. Close your eyes to the real world and your candidate's faults, and hope that somehow he'll make everything better.

And when he doesn't, and the Democratic Party and our country are in a state of total collapse, what then? Will you say "Oops!"? Do you think that will make everything better?

Oh, I know. Go ahead and call me some names. That way you won't have to actually address the issues.