I think a number of Americans think offshore drilling will keep oil prices relatively in place or at least slow the rate of increase.

Without a radical downward shift in U.S. and world consumption, no amount of U.S. drilling will noticeably impact rising oil prices.

People need to start listening to Al Gore. We need a 10-year plan and its going to involve some sacrifice by everyone.

Being a symbol of something and actually being it are two completely different propositions. No further context is needed as anyone who understands the english language knows that the focus of the sentence is not on himself, but "the possibility of returning to our best traditions."

From Dictionary.com:

sym·bol /ˈsɪmbəl/ Pronunciation Key - Spelled Pronunciation[sim-buhl] –noun

1. something used for or regarded as representing something else; a material object representing something, often something immaterial; emblem, token, or sign.

2. a letter, figure, or other character or mark or a combination of letters or the like used to designate something: the algebraic symbol x; the chemical symbol Au.

3. a word, phrase, image, or the like having a complex of associated meanings and perceived as having inherent value separable from that which is symbolized, as being part of that which is symbolized, and as performing its normal function of standing for or representing that which is symbolized: usually conceived as deriving its meaning chiefly from the structure in which it appears, and generally distinguished from a sign.

If claiming to represent an idea or ideas is considered arrogant, then every person who has ever run for president exemplifies such arrogance since the election process requires (theoretically) the candidate to stand for something.

"Merciless logic" is not the same as political reality. All you bloggers go ahead and luxuriate in your opportunity to feel "right." It may cost us a 60-seat majority. You are the reason I no longer call myself a liberal even though, in the true sense of the word, I am. Mr. Kilgore called it correctly as far as I am concerned.

-- SherwoodB

What good is a 60-seat majority when the votes aren't there when it really counts? What makes you think the blue dogs will suddenly tow the party line in 2009?

I hear all this talk about the Democratic party "controlling" congress. What exactly have the Democrats "controlled" during the last two years? As Glenn pointed out, the Bush Administration has gotten more out of congress than when the republicans had control. If this is "control," I'de rather be in the minority and filibuster.

What good legislation has passed that wouldn't have otherwise without votes from the blue dogs? I'de really like to know. When has having the blue dogs in the Democratic Party resulted in positive legislative action benefitting this country?

Being a Democrat has to mean something more than having a "(D)" after your name.

is to refer the questioner back to the speech and then move on to what he wants to talk about. If they persist, tell them politely to read the speech or to visit his website.

It's time for him to exert some control in these areas.

The last two presidential campaigns have gone all in betting on the ignorance and/or stupidity of your average murkan. Each time they've come away with a big pile of chips.

As they say, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

This time, let's hope the murkans are feeling too much pain to listen to this crap.

Ellsberg personifies political courage and his story and perspective provides and excellent reference point for how far this country has fallen in the past 30 years.

Hopefully, this broadcast (plus those of Amy Goodman, Jane Hamsher and others) will develop and expand into the mainstream consciousness so that a real debate can begin among a large segment of Americans.

Keep it up and let us know if you need support.

The fact that he's leading the McCain Campaign speaks volumes. I'm very much looking forward to the debates, but the Obama campaign needs to continue aggressively responding to this bullshit in no uncertain terms. The republican will always use their favorite strategy: "tell a lie enough times and it becomes the truth."

is a recent example of how far the media establishment has fallen. Couric herself is the poster child for today's media. No formal journalistic background. No real experience in the field. She's selected purely using Madison Avenue metrics and then compliantly does whatever the producers tell her to do.

You can apply that storyline to about 90% of TV "journalists" currently on the air. And they wonder why their ratings are plummeting.

is a favor by journalists, given the string of stupid gaffes that have been coming out his mouth lately. Iraq/Pakistan border, anyone?

Grampa's goint to have to pull out the stops and serve filet mignon at the next party he hosts for those hateful liberal journalists. Clearly, the F&B at the last one didn't take.

"The poor don't vote. The young don't vote."

Not until they hit a pain threshold, which has already passed. Middle class voters are finding that they are now poor in our broken, obsolete economy. Young voters are starting to realize that they're going to be left holding the HUGE check (again) after the massive GOP tax cut/military expansion party of the past 8 years. That combined with an economy on the brink, will be enough to drive a lot of voters to the polls in November.

You're holding on to that thought as your last hope against the coming tsunami. Just dig a nice hole and stick your head in it.