I've commented several times here on Salon that I miss Molly Ivins and her commentary this year. She would have eaten Sarah Palin alive, spit her out and devoured her again and again. Nobody could have done it like Molly.

Oh, how I miss her tart wit! I'm sure she's comparing notes with Paul Newman somewhere right now, getting an update from him on everything that's happened so far in this election season.

I've been thinking of Molly Ivins myself through this election season, especially after the Couric interviews. She is sorely missed. Thanks for reminding us about her wonderful life.

I hadn't thought about what Molly would have made of this mess before reading your story; thanks for the reminder and boy would I have loved to have her here commenting.

All I needed in the middle of the most depressing election cycle I can remember. A depressing reminder of how much the world (and I) misses a bright, funny, insightful light.....

Thanks, I really miss Molly Ivens, in fact I still have the link to her column in my 'favorites' - I guess I think if I just wait long enough one of those brilliant, side-splittingly funny, enlightening columns will just show up. I also look everyday for another Anne column in Salon. I need an infusion of hope these days. Please keep writing, your insight is appreciated. As the mother of a son named 'Sam', I quite agree it is challenging and tons of fun.

Thank you so much, for reminding me of Molly. I miss her so much during this election. Its been really hard to find the laughs.I am glad that you were with her, in her last days. She couldn't have had better company.

Just wanted to say that the last paragraph of this piece was one of the best things I have ever read on Salon. Brought a tear to my eye. A wonderful thought, gracefully expressed. Thank you.

While I believe she'd have thundered in grand style against greed corruption, gross incompetence, FISA and Palin, I also believe she'd have brought out the comedy, also. I can almost hear her voice saying "it's funny, honest it is!"

I can see Paul Newman and Molly and hear Paul Newman say: "You know what really makes me mad, Molly? I died before I could cast my vote!"

No matter what their age at the time of death, they BOTH died too young. As did Ann Richards. I can hear her say "Stick a fork in Palin, I think she's done."

I'm sorry, I can't stand the way Anne Lamott writes, but I did say to my husband a few days ago that I really wished Molly Ivins was still around to write about Sarah Palin. There is no substitute.

that she didn't get a shot at these idiots.

It's like you were reading my mind since I've thought of her so many times through this process. No matter how grim the circumstance, she always made me laugh.

Several years ago I was a student teacher in a college-level Sociology course, and Molly Ivins was coming to town. As an extra credit assignment, my students could come to her lecture. I was sooo inexperienced, and working hard to gain the trust of my (non-traditional) students, and I brought my then 11-year-old son to the lecture. Although much of it went over his head, he was the center of attention with my students who suddenly thought of me as an adult because even though I looked 18, I MUST be older to have a child of that age. It was a magical evening -- my students looking up to me; my child looking up to me; Molly giving a lecture that could entertain even an 11-year-old kid. Fast forward a decade. My son is now a senior in college with a live-in girlfriend. He still remembers hearing Molly talk and her calling George W. Bush "Shrub." He's looking forward to voting for Obama in this election and I can credit his enthusiasm for politics, in part, to Molly Ivins and her skill as a lecturer!

Except that she wrote it 10 years ago.

(Click on my name, and then scroll down to the bottom, where it says "quote of the week")

Molly Ivins was the closest thing we had to Mark Twain, and the loss of her has left a gaping hole in both the heart and brain of this country that has yet to be filled. I'm happy there are others that recognize and appreciate what a giant she was.

This is such a beautiful article . This is the way I will think of Molly Ivins even though I have only known her through her writings. She must have been bigger than life.

not liking 'spooky' in reference to obama's name.....

Dear Anne,

I'll add my profound thanks for ...

Bringing beloved Molly alive as I read your words.

The best commentary I've read during the scary political circus.

-- a great fan of Molly and Anne

I have thought the same thing so many times in this election year, we truly lost a great voice of reason when we lost Molly Ivins. And so rarely is it that the voice of reason could make us all howl with laughter while she spoke truth to nonsensical power.

I would say we'll never see her like again. I think Molly would laugh and tell me, "darlin' look harder". Would someone please pick up that mantle and pen ASAP? Please?

Do it for Molly and for us all.

This has probably been the most touching story I've read in a while on any website. Molly was one of the lone progressive voices in Texas that can still remember that glorious time when this great state produced towering political figures like:

Attny. General Jim Mattox, a tireless advocate for divorced parents needing child-support in this state, and the last Democrat to hold the attorney general's office...until that party hack John Cornyn beat him in the 90s. My favorite story (from my dad) about him was how Jim came to one Democratic rally and literally played the part of a "yellow dog Democrat" by bring a yellow dog with him.

Senator Ralph Yarborough, probably the last truely liberal Democratic Senator to come from Texas, a major supporter of LBJ's "Great Society.

President Lyndon Johnson, the last New Deal "warrior," and despite being a hard-ass SOB, he accomplished so much more in the name of civil rights than any of the Kennedy's ever did.

Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, the 1st. black woman to be elected to Congress in the South, a true pioneer for civil rights for women, African-Ams., and the GLBT community.

Gov. Ann Richards, probably one of our greatest governors, who was as much of a thorn in the Republican's side as Molly was.

GODDAMNIT, this used to be a great state of Democrats, folks. And now, they are no where to be found...most have passed on to the ages (except for Mattox). And instead, we have idiots like Cornyn, Bush, Perry, Dewhurst (or as I call him, Screwhurst). I always thought that folks like former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk and District Attorney Craig Watkins, or even Mayor Mike Moncrief would pick up this mantel for Democrats. But until the demographics change in this state after the next census, we are still a long way from seeing Texas turning Blue.

I guess this post doesn't have much of a point, other than to say that Texas used to produce a better crop of politicians than what we have seen in the last 20-30 years...and to say that I really miss Molly at times like this. I'm sure she would have plenty to say about our state politics.