Come on! Obviously we know where it comes from for you to talk about how socialism is going to ruin America via the Dems. But let me make 2 points:

1) Yes, dems are "socialists"...ONLY RELATIVE TO REPUBS! By any objective measure, most of us would could only be claimed as socialist by baseline principle of not saying "I've got mine now you get yours". I've lived in Europe for many many years, and you will be hard pressed to find a run-of-the-mill Dem who would even be claimed by a European socialist. THAT "left" hardly even exists in the US (much has OUR "right" hardly exists in Europe). Stop screeching hysterically.

2) You point to Europe's troubles blamed on its socialist policies. I don't disagree, but there's a LOOOOONG way to go between where America's policies are and Europe. Our government policies are so far to the right they are almost falling off the cliff.

Besides, if you love and believe in America so much, how is it you can't see that America is intelligent enough to find a better middleground than the particular policies that have = trouble for parts of Europe?

Us "dirty socialists" want healthcare. How is it you equate the mere suggestion of looking out for each other in this country as "Communist loving socialist"? Even though I have had the privilege of benefiting from Europe's heath care system, which took care of me instead of letting me DIE or else GO BANKRUPT getting treatment, I still realize that running an identical program in a country the size of the US poses many strategic challenges (Repub. and anti-tax opposition aside). However, the US could go a long way from where we are without even encroaching on the kind of socialist program that Europe has. I'm not asking for everything to be covered. I'm asking for everyone to (for example) have the right to 1 dentist cleaning and, say, 2 GP visits per year, plus coverage for certain life-threatening diseases.

As one of those what-YOU-would-call "socialists", let me assure you that I would never argue for America to fall off the OTHER side of the cliff. I just want us on the landmass of moderation. But the Repub's don't understand any measure of subtlety.

Joe Biden was my first choice for President - so I am delighted with the vice president position: he is intelligent, independent thinker (most important!)has sense of humour, broad minded, knows his business, takes his work seriously, but with all of the above - does not take himself seriously: Best combination for a President or for a vice president!

Brilliant choice!

Congratulations and good luck to you Joe Biden!

In spite of the fact that Obama's 3:00am VP announcement was a direct, and not-so-subtle, slap at Hillary and her supporters for her Primary criticism of his notorious and painfully evident inexperience, the Clintons are ecstatic over Obama's pick of "Jawbone" Biden as his VP. A man who can speak eloquently ad-nauseam while saying absolutely nothing of substance. The McCain camp will certainly exploit Biden's former prolific praise of McCain; his multiple assertions that Obama was not sufficiently experienced to assume the Presidency; and, who correctly noted that the White House was not the proper venue for Obama's: "On-The-Job-Training". Obviously Obama was smart enough to recognize that he needed a "Handler" close-by 24/7; and, no-doubt has scheduled Biden for remedial training in diaper changing. It's a good time to invest in "Pampers". It's become apparent that Obama has some insidious need to constantly poke the Clintons in the eyes. One has to wonder if an "angry" Michelle Obama is prompting such responses! However, the Clinton's, astute in the way of politics, will simply re-enforce their base of supporters in preparation for a now certain 2012 bid. Greg Neubeck

Hillary and company can lay plans for 2012, but if Obama's followers get let down in 2008, Hillary might as well run as dogcatcher general in the lone star state.

If the children of Hill don't scratch the backs of the children of Obama, there will be no third act at all in Hillary's bid for Hill for president drama.

As an "Irish Catholic" (omG) Biden will be familiar with the words and music of "Lanigan's Ball" where the party went wild and ructions broke out among some of the incensed, and inebriated, party-goers. Biden has spent 35 years at "Brooks' Academy learning to dance for Lanigan's Ball" but then, in a moment of inspiration, he's "learning new steps for Lanigan's Ball".

Well, howdy-doody, here's the broth-of-a-boy Joseph Robinette Biden playing the part of Ned Morgan when Miss Kerrigan (this is gender-neutral) fainted. Like Ned, Joe is "so powerful and able... and "tore the leg from under the table" smashing all the china at Lanigan's Ball. For Lanigan's Ball, you can read the Denver Convention where Biden can throw shapes to his heart's content, where the PUMAS will melt into total submission at the sight of a real man with that hard-to-describe presidential look. The flowing silver locks will gleam under the lights as if he's an Arctic fox and, I can see it all now; Harriet Christian will get a tingle up/down her leg, blissfully faint, while whispering "Oh, please tell me where does this hunky guy get his hair done? I can't wait to find out his stylist....oooh, aaah. I've seen heaven in his eyes".

It's just as well that Denver has prepared extra police cells, that 40-person "whip" teams will be roving the complex for signs of unseemly emotional outbursts, because this Ball is destined to be even better than Lanigan's. You've read it here first, free, gratis and for nothing, but for a more detailed account you will have to contain yourselves until the DRUDGE REPORT supplies you with the very latest next weekend. Deferred gratification is what it's called, I think.

What's cookin' cat lady?

You made an excellent point: "White America is not binary racist/non-racist. There is a broad spectrum ranging from white supremacists on the far right to the truly colorblind. But in the middle of this spectrum are large numbers of people who WANT to be non-racist but can't help viewing things through long-ingrained stereotypes."

I have always thought the "race" problem Obama would face would be the people in the "middle of the spectrum." Many of those people don't want to be racist and may not be ready to see a black man as capable of being President. But over the next two months this will change as more and more people see Obama and see that he is capable, competent, wise, intelligent, etc. And I agree that Biden is a superb pick. He will help the ticket in many ways but also by moving many people to the point where they can accept Obama as President.

Now, everyone needs to get out there - get on the phone banks, get on your walking shoes and go door-to-door. I have arthritis (oh, I hope Phil Gramm doesn't accuse me of whining) in both knees and one ankle but, hey, lots of Advil keep me going! There is an 80something women who comes to the office near my home with her caregiver - she is in a wheelchair but she and her caregiver come in a couple of times a week to phone bank. That is pretty inspirational.

If you live in a solid blue state and can afford to, consider spending some time in a swing state. I'm in Virginia and you would not believe the energy here.