Rick Perry has done enough damage to Texas and it is time for him to go. An unprecedented third term is ludicrous.

As one of the most economically viable states in the union, Texas needs a grown-up for governor. A state that gave us Molly Ivins, Michael Dell and in his later years, James Michener, deserves leadership and Kay Bailey Hutchison can provide it.

I think I counted one - possibly two - reasonable posts on this column. Ms. Fortini is absolutely correct in her assessment of Sarah Palin. She is here to stay.

No, I do not think she will be or should be president. I am not even sure she wants to be.

What really concerns me is all the hate spewed here. What on earth has Sarah Palin ever done to the 56 negative posters here (so far) DocinPA is one of the few intelligent, accurate posts.

Alaska is just different from the other states - very much a frontier land, isolated and self-sufficient. Sarah Palin is the real deal.

If she is really so bad, why does Salon write multiple stories about her? Could it be jealousy? Fear?

She was "managed" during the campaign and came across badly. She is on her own now and is sincere and authentic.

I know wonderful people in the Midwest who are very much like Sarah Palin - authentic. I find that refreshing.

Joan, an honest column by an honest journalist. It takes depth of character to agree with Sarah Palin on the Newsweek cover after criticizing her continuously.

You know how to sort the chaff from the wheat. Congratulations!

The Newsweek cover was a cheap shot and an unprofessional decision from Meacham.

He traded whatever integrity he had for a few more magazine sales.

This discombobulated column is beneath you and your talent. You don't like Sarah Palin? Ignore her. Worried about the democrats and Democrat in Chief? You should be. Sara is not the female politician we should be talking about. It is the one who got away (or was pushed away) that we wish were in the White House.

Every day I think of how much stronger Hillary Clinton is and what a mistake the electorate made.

"As I sat down at my desk at MSNBC..." says it all, Benjamin. This was an act of terror by a terrorist. Period.

I saw that exchange when it was happening.

At the time I thought Boxer should have let it go. She knows who she is. She showed her insecurities when she corrected the general.

We can depend on Krauthammer to repeat the same ole same ole.

I would not compare his one-way thinking to David Brooks who does his homework and his research. On this note - Afghanistan, he is probably correct.

Whatever Obama does he will be criticized. It appears he is waffling and why wouldn't he be. This is a very big, very hard decision as history tells us it has been a no win situation for many years. That said, he has to do something soon as he is beginning to look indecisive and not up to the job, which may very well be true. He has waited so long now that whatever he does will be criticized by many.

Finally, a voice of reason! Government does not do business well and government run healthcare would be a disaster. The nation cannot afford this massive disaster. We are now so far in debt that I don't even know if my grandchildren will see a balanced budget and we will still be beholden to China.

Yes, I think government should help those who need help until the economy improves and they can get on their feet. But shoving a disastrous bill down the throats of families who do not want it and do not need it is ludicrous.

This column is a sexist hit piece with more holes in it than Swiss cheese. Hill and Knowlton is not a lobbying firm. It is a highly respected public relations firm and has been for many years. The $77,000 that you say Mrs. Lieberman received from H&K is peanuts in the corporate public relations world and would be laughed at in the lobbying world.

You people that want to destroy the insurance and pharmaceutical industries would eliminate thousands of jobs at two crucial industries. Pharmaceutical industries continue to research and produce products which keep us alive and employ millions of dedicated, educated researchers. Insurance companies provide the method by which we can see doctors and buy needed prescriptions.

You, Joe, are throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Yes, there need to be some changes made in the way both industries do business but lambasting two women who work or have worked in the industry is shameful. And painting all the companies with one broad brush is typical of your ilk who seem to want their country and their lives controlled by government.

I congratulate the professors and students at Northwestern's school of journalism. These students and their professors are doing what journalists are meant to do. We have too few fact-digging working journalists and I for one will be happy when these young people graduate and join the working press.

The prosecutor sounds abusive and holier than thou. They need to drop this case and do some real clean-up work in Illinois which sorely needs it.

Joan:

You are so right. Often when I read posts, I wonder why I do, as so many, as you say, are ignorant. In Salon, I usually skim through to see what Joan has to add. At least I know it will be intelligent.