What happened to the good old days when a lie about blow jobs was diligently ferreted out by our great Fifth Estate and a special prosecutor was assigned to scrutinize every Presidential poop flushed down a White House toilet?

There are few in the media who actually dig, make calls to contacts and hit the pavement these days. Most just regurgitate AP stories or parrot White House press releases. I don't blame them, there is so much out there it has become overwhelming.

I appreciate this story. It was well-researched, well written and put things into perspective. Unfortunately, I can't see the big picture. My head is spinning. The truth about the war and all that the current Administration is and does cannot possibly as incestuous and conspiratorial as it seems; can it?

Every time I read something from what I believe is a thorough, independent source I start feeling like one of those conspiracy-theory nuts who wear aluminum foil hats.

I know the Congress is a little busy right now, but there needs to be a serious independent investigation into what appears to be the most corrupt Administration and Congresses in history.

I was unable to watch the debate so I have been reading about it this morning. Am I missing something or were there only 3 people who participated in this debate?

I understand that the media reports on the three at the top of the polls. Those three are at the top of the polls; however, because they have paid to be there. If the media just follows those with the most money we will never be able to elect a candidate or President who is the most qualified.

In reading this article one would think there were only three people present at the debate. It is bad enough that money keeps the others out of sight, but I expected more from Salon.

The "Bottom Tier" as the media has dubbed it includes far more qualified candidates. Just by branding the others the "Bottom Tier" you have relegated them to obscurity. We have heard the milquetoast three speak the same rehearsed drabble ad nauseam. They pay to get their messages communicated, but America needs to hear about ALL of those vying for the candidacy. I am disappointed that I have to search many news sources to hear anything said by any of the other candidates. From Salon, I expect much more than a he-said she-said of the playground fighting between the most popular kids.

I can't believe my weary eyes. An article about a candidate other that the Milquetoast 3! I appreciate the opportunity to learn anything about any of these candidates, but I am hoping to learn more facts than opinion when I read your editorials. Unfortunately, it felt as though you had it in for the Governor -- a few lines almost dismissing his impressive experience then criticism and gloom and doom about his recent personal appearances throughout the rest. If you were to list the waffling or gaffe's by Clinton, Obama or Edwards, the list would be much longer, even though the Governor's experience in politics exceeds any of the three.

It is fair and I think important to point out the problems with his campaign and his bumbled appearances. In fact, I appreciate learning as much as possible about ALL of the candidates. Perhaps you could have balanced your article with more information so that we can make our own decisions, e.g. what did he accomplish in some of those impressive positions in which he served? I wouldn't say this article attacked him, but the focus was anything but unbiased and fair.

Chicago Todd hit the nail on the head. If Obama was Bob Williams, a white guy from Chicago he would have it all but wrapped up.

Maybe 20% of the white voters are overt racists, but a significant number have racial biases of some sort or another. McCain's campaign and the GOP has hit on those fears as far as they can by using images and words that trigger those subconscious fears. They jump at Obama every time he even dares to imply that he is a black man (the race card charge) which only stirs up more racial fears.

The corporate media hops aboard the bandwagon and repeats those words, replays the images of a younger Obama with a little bit of a 'fro. On cue, they collectively jump on Obama for "playing the race card" when all he did was point out the obvious (not even in so many words) that he is a black man. The corporate media has fortified these latent and not so latent fears by repeating ad nauseam these words and phrases

McCain's ads say nothing and they would not work on a white male opponent. Obama is the essence of what almost all dissatisfied voters want and need so McCain is doing the only thing he can do which is stir the pot and hit at the core of racial fear.

Sadly, it is working.