What I find appalling with all of the sensational news coverage about this pathetic person, who unfortunately is/was the Governor of Illinois, is that he is very obviously a mentally ill person. Probably suffering from bi-polar disorder and in an acute manic episode! I don't care how narcissistic politicians can get (and so many are), this guy is over the proverbial edge. His behavior is so similar to the out-of-control bi-polar patients I have treated in my therapy practice for 30 years! He is absolutely clueless and crass--and the more he is confronted, the crazier he gets! Com'on folks, this is not your usual greedy psychopath! This guy belongs in a hospital, or at the very least, on medication! Cannot you tell the difference??? He makes no sense in his grandiose ramblings, and seems to have no idea who he is talking to, or the meaning of what he is saying! Give him (and us) a break, and get a competetent psychiatrist involved who can evaluate him and find help for him--probably without much cooperation!(His family can be a big help here; they have undoubtedly seen it all!) I think this is irresponsible journalism--to make such a pariah of an obviously impaired person! Do your homework, please. Read the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistics Manual) under Bi-Polar disorder-manic phase. I think you will see Gov. Blagojevich described quite accurately! It is important to make the distinction! And necessary for our reading public to realize that we really do have mentally ill people in the public sector--elected to high office. About the same percentage as in the general population! Let's grow up and get adult about this!!!! And let go of the sensationalism!!!!! It really sucks!!!

Oh, Joan, I could not agree with you more! Barack is most definitely readier now than he was last February! Same person, same voice--but pared down to the essentials and almost devoid of ego!

I just read on Crooks and Liars an article about the world appeal Obama has:

If the Whole World Could Vote

http://crooksandliars.com/nonny-mouse/if-whole-world-could-vote

Imagine: 8 Australians have flown to New Hampshire to volunteer in the Obama campaign! And people in India, New Zealand, France, Africa and, of course, Canada, are just as excited and nervous as we are!!!! This is truly an historic election!!!!! GO OBAMA!!!

I do so hope that you are right! My gut tells me that Obama will win in a landslide (or a near-landslide), but I (and so many others) have been traumatized by the 2000 and 2004 elections, which I still think were "stolen." So....I will not rest easy until I hear Obama declared the winner!

In all due respect, Ms. Didion, I think it makes a huge difference who becomes our next president! I earnestly hope that person will Barack Obama--for many, many reasons! And I do not think this campaign is a replay of Dukkais at all. Are you aware of the incredible grassroots organization Obama and his campaign have done all over the U.S.? I just read that they have 23 field offices throughout West Virginia!!! Who would ever think that? They are taking nothing for granted, and they are smart, hardworking, non-grandstanding people--including Obama himself!!!! We have not seen a campaign like this ever, and I (a cranky 69 year old) am more than delighted to be "passing the torch" to the next generation! It is time! We have made such a mess of things, it will take another generation to sort it out! But Obama will make a good beginning. And, happily, he does not talk in soundbites--actually detests them!!!!!

In all due respect, Ms. Lamott, I do not think that "having faith" is enough in these frightening times! I believe that "taking action" is what we, who are afraid and also hopeful, must do! Therefore, I am spending my days campaigning and canvassing for Barack Obama--though I know he has my state (Oregon) locked up. It is not enough to have Obama as President! We must have progressive congresspeople and senators in place to help END THIS MADNESS!!!!!

Please, people of conscience, get off your duffs and start doing phone banks and canvassing for Obama and the progressive candidates in YOUR state. It really does make a difference!!!

Many thanks-

Kate Madison

Depoe Bay, Oregon

Obama Mama

I guess most people at the Republican McCain/Palin rallies are there to "get their anger out!" What they need, rather than a rally, is some good cognitive therapy to find out why they are displacing their anger (and fear) so inappropriately on Barack Obama. My guess is that these are mainly disenfranchised people, many of whom were probably abused as children--and have "identified with the aggressor!" My goodness, they are such a collection of rude, nasty and threatening people--who can tolerate no differences! Nor can they seem to see shades of gray, or recognize innuendo and manipulation! Yes, this speaks of people who have learned not to think their own thoughts or to recognize how they really feel! Fodder for another Hitler!

As you said, Joan, she should, but she won't! And not because she is too stubborn. He is! I think McCain is one of those guys who cannot admit error. He would rather lose--and blame someone else!!! For example, you liberal media types for beating up on "poor Sarah," or Barack for being brilliant and calm. The possibilities are endless! What a train wreck this Republican campaign has turned into, but it is not without its moments. Tina Fey has become a national treasure, and (as she said), she didn't even have to work very hard to be the garrulous and irrational Sarah Palin! Katie Couric has now got some credibility, and George Will is daintily eating crow! I'm lovin' it!!!!!!