I just said it in the headline! Either Biden or Webb would be good choices for Obama's VP. Lots of foreign policy experience. Webb has outstanding military experience and is unafraid. Biden has loads of savvy. Both have kids in the military. Neither is perfect, but--oh well. I think they are the best of who is out there and so far superior to anybody McCain can recruit as VP!!!! (Now if you want to get depressed, think of who would agree to run with him? Joe Lieberman, perhaps? Eeeek!)

And John Edwards for AG! He will get things shaking at Justice! And get Obama off of his "don't rock the boat" ass! Obama desperately needs that at Justice. That whole department is a despairing mess!!!

P.S. I am very upset that Obama has thrown Wesley Clark under the bus! That was a cowardly move. I expect better from him!

I think you have nailed it, Joan! It is FEAR! McCain and Co. are deeply committed to fearmongering, and Americans are a very frightened people! And, no, I don't think it all started with 9/11!

Most Americans have not been taught to value differences, and are, therefore, intolerant and frightened by different skin color, different language, different sexual orientation--etc. etc. We are a YOUNG nation in every way, quite immature, really. This does not bode well. Interestingly.....If Obama wins, it will be the YOUTH vote that elects him. Our young people are much less frightened, prejudiced and intolerant that are we--the older generation! They really do believe in HOPE and the possiblity of CHANGE, and see possibilities in a country led by Barack Obama. McCain--eeek! He is so old (my age), fearful and grumpy! He believes that change is bad and being young is being ignorant! I feel for him, but if he had gone into some kind of recovery program after returning from Vietnam, he might have a different perspective today!

Those are my thoughts of the moment.

I think this is more properly called "THE SURGE!" And what a "successful" stategy it has been, has it not? Another example of American hubris! And the instigators, Cheney/Bush will not even be around when the shit hits the fan! It will be up to President Obama to deal with the mess they made!

I am sad that the only way to win a campaign in America seems to be by becoming ruthlessly slimy! And, even sadder that I think this reflects the low IQ and lack of intellectual curiousity of our voting citizenry! They are mush brained and easily manipulated thanks to our 24/7 media--which endlessly repeats banal sound bites! Most of our candidates are vapid and shallow, and resort to blaming the other rather than defining self! Barack Obama is the exception--an intellectual and thoughtful man with the ability to (yes!) listen carefully and think through decisions! But, he is not given to trite soundbite or venal accusations, nor is he nasty or hot-headed. So our silly, shallow country will probably not have the sense to elect him! If, by some quirk of fate, Obama manages to squeak out a victory, there will be celebrations on the streets of America and Europe not seen since 1960!

Yeah---Barack America and Joey Biden made a coupla mistakes in their first time out. But--SO WHAT!!!! These are thoughtful, erudite, decent men who are not out to make big money from lobbyists and oil companies! Those are the real stories--not innocent slip-ups that happen to everyone occasionally, or if you are George W. Bush--constantly!

Get with it, Alex. There are more important things to cover!!!!

Good column, Joan! I may be worrying needlessly, but I cannot help but be concerned about Bill Clinton, his bitterness and his narcissism! A terrible combination! I think Hillary has been a real trooper, and have no problem with what she is doing. But Bill is another story! He can, in so many subtle ways, undermine Barack! (He already has!) What do you think?

Well.............maybe it was the permission from Ms. Hillary! But, whatever it was, Joan--you have made the transition, girl! I think of you now as an "Obama Mama!" Not so bad once you get used to it. And look at all the latitude you have now to be snarky about Sarah Barracuda????!!!

Seriously, I do think you have begun to acknowledge the brains,idealism and pragmatism of Barack Obama--and his passion to make this a better country. I truly believe he does! It will make the rest of the campaign alot easier for you, I know! And bless Hillary--she made a wonderful, toned down speech at the Convention--and showed alot of class!

Kate Madison

Depoe Bay, Oregon

Hearing Sarah Palin's speech tonight was oddly like watching (for the second time) Reese Witherspoon play the overly ambitious, psychologically naive and meanspirited schoolgirl, Tracy Flick, in "Election"!

Except that Sarah Barracuda is no schoolgirl. Nor is she a librarian--except that she is inordinately interested in "bad" language in some books in the Wasilla library, reportedly trying to get them banned. So....she is against improper language in books, but sees shooting wolves from small planes and helicopters akin to going on a "safari"? Excuse me, I need to put on my lipstick and take my pitbull out to walk this off!!!!