Here's a petition from Fire Dog Lake, who've been doing a tremendous job of getting the message to Congress about the need for the Public Option. Please sign:

http://action.firedoglake.com/page/s/keepthepledge

They'll deliver it personally to the White House after 40,000 signatures. Call, write, email: the Public Option is not optional.

Let's face it, Michael Steele owes his job to one person only - Barack Obama. Does he honestly think he has any cred at all with his party, except as a propped-up response to our first African-American president? And does he think the students don't get that?

Hillary runs and breaks barriers, we suddenly get Palin on a ticket. Obama runs and wins, we get Steele. Talk about the party of no new ideas.

oh yeses!

Where did you hear this from Axelrod?

I hope you're right, although Democrats are so good at self-and-other-parsing - who knows? Diversity is our greatest strength, and our achilles heel. (It seems they're often the same thing.)

But the comment about Axelrod shot right through me and I made my fourth call to the White House. Certainly the 10 days is THE time to hit ALL our representatives, senators, Sebelius, Pelosi, Reid, Snowe and Axelrod too. The Public Option is not an option - it's essential.

And I'm going to plead with Joan to get Chris Matthews to shut his big mouth and let people speak for a change.

Speaking of media idiocy, could you please use your influence on Chris Matthews to get him to shut up about taking the Public Option off the table before it actually HAPPENS? Unchecked and unsolicited eructations like that are a large part of confusion, doubt, despair and liberal anger about a Plan that isn't even fully outlined yet.

Any effect on him and other pre-emptive naysayers would be greatly appreciated.

If Obama's address to Congress next week is the big push we're all looking for, we need to get on the stick till then to make it absolutely clear that the Public Option not only has backing, but is the centerpiece of a strong healthcare bill. Pedal to the metal.

I'm with you on the numbers - that's why the Public Option is the centerpiece of the bill. And I'm all for a reconciliation process, if that's what works. Would be nice to get some sense of that - getting kinda itchy with all the 360 degree negativity around here, like the weird gritty yellow air here in L.A. today.

The next 10 days are the most crucial for getting our voices out there - not just to influence a thoughtful president and his cautious staff, but to get the MSM talking about the positive affects of the Public Option - and its large number of enthusiastic, product-buying supporters.

Wish Dean was a bigger part of the team. But your confidence and good sense is right on.

"But do you want to win this fight or express your moral superiority? My state's two Democratic senators need reasons to support what many of their constituents fear, and the most persuasive voice many are hearing is Rush Limbaugh's. This is true across large parts of America where left-wing populism once held sway."

So what the hell are you doing bringing a pundit blame-Obama op-ed to a fight instead of a persuasive voice?

Healthcare reform has been on the table for 60 years and counting. It ain't about Obama. It's about why we should want it. Convincing people to act is harder than convincing them it's someone's fault. But it's the best kind of journalism.

Funny, and probably true! No wonder he's got that gleam in his eye when he busts in - he's copyrighted.

fits Steele just right. More like the human whoopie cusion that he seems truly to be.