you are spot on with this. i feel way too lazy to trudge up documentation of the hot air spin that's becoming dominant here at salon ... but it sad and distressing. glenn, i think you should move your shop to firedoglake. salon.com is nearly as sell-out as the pundits you often quote as full of sh!t.

i'd like to hear your comments on the possibly higher potential for hacking by sharing one's personal network, and the speed/effectiveness of this. i live in san fran, so i'm interested. it does seem like a feel-good thing.

One of Hillary's "mistakes" ... that you overlooked Joe ... is her seeming reliance on "progressive reporters" like you to put forth her talking points to the masses. Her great miscalculation is that you and those like you have shockingly? (nope) little influence with voters who are sick and tired of the same old bullshit. I thank the stars that your voice in this is small and insignificant.

That bullshit = politician wants to "seem" sweet and warm and welcoming, then enlists supporters in the media or tertiary campaign figures to float out misleading information about the opponent, then "apologize" for the "mistake."

You did this in your last article on Obama, citing neocon "endorsements." You do that again today by referencing the fallacy that to address the /real concern/ of social security solvency is a neocon talking point and false ... and by claiming obama doesn't care about millions of uninsured "children." Both of these are spins on the truth, and people see right through them.

The /fact/ is Obama has weathered direct smears, and indirect smears ... and is coming out /way/ on top. You are right that HRC will likely step things up in spreading concern to the masses even more ... and this is exactly why she will lose. The Obama ticket will easily take 60% or more in a general election.

You also hit on a good point: HRC is also losing because she does try to be all things to all people. Sometimes she is strong and tough ... a capable leader ready to go on day one. Other times ... oddly when it serves her ... she (through Bill) complains of "mistreatment" ... or can't seem to control her subordinates to do what she "wants" them to (like to not send e-mails that lie about Obama's religion), or she complains that she was mislead by the biggest buffon in American politcs: GWB. Millions of us were not so mislead, why was she ... if she is so smart and capable. Maybe the answer is because she can't admit that she was voting then based on the political climate, and unwilling to take a stand for what is "right." She will lose because people are sick of this ... misleading politicians and their minions.

Of course, Obama is likely not a saint ... but he is the embodiment of real hop. At least you can acknowledge this.

alex ... your post here is worthwhile. you are right to scrutinize a reporters choice of words and how those words may mislead people ... or unfairly shape a perception through using choice words. perhaps this is done with malicious intent, perhaps not. i'm not a mind reader, so i can't tell.

you ought to read conason's a joan walsh's articles and blogs here at salon to make a more robust case of this misleading nature. it's truly repugnant ... mainly because, i thought, salon was one of the "good-guys."

Joan ...

i think obama was decisive, clear, steady, calm and competent. edwards' fiery passion is like a laser set to destroy corporate interests. hillary was strong, intelligent. they all sounded incredible in many ways. i hope sen. clinton doesn't get too killed by the press when they certainly write about a few moments where her anger got the better of her. she was quite graceful, though, in rallying support for the whole of the party ... make multiple points that democrats united to fight the republican machine is best for all. her amazing run to be president ... whatever happens ... is a true ground-breaker. i think the crowds really, really felt the earth move when presented with the dazzling and mobilizing inspiration of obama, and the fight-savvy brawn of edwards. i can't see any chance that the republicans can a chance for this one. go dems!

joan, for the first time in a number of weeks ... or maybe months ... i saw very clearly why you are a successful journalist and writer. your ability to synthesize events and movements can be very exciting to read ... and hopefully to write. the key is being aligned with what is happening ... out in the world ... seeing it. letting go of what isn't, or at least what isn't in the fore-front. i appreciate you doing all this and writing with inspiration.