"So does a widespread lack of respect for government itself, and ignorance about what it is and what it requires. "

Oh please. It requires ignorance to be disrespectful about government? The fact is that the more closely you follow politics, the worse our politicians look.

And as far as this issue of qualifications, wasn't it some cynical politican who recently observed that the only qualifications for president are to be over 35 and a natural born citizen? Oh right, that was Bill Clinton.

Gary,

I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your Olympic coverage. I hadn't fixed your name in my memory before, but some of the posts you wrote toward the end of the Olympics astonished me with their passion and understanding. Made my day! Thanks. I'll be reading you.

In case anyone was still wondering whether John McCain is running the sleaziest, most dishonest campaign in history, today Karl Rove -- the man who held the previous record -- said McCain's ads have gone too far.

Here is an opinion you can print out and put it on the bumper of your car because it is 100% true:

PALIN IS BUSH!

If you think Bush has done a great job as president, put my bumper sticker on your car.

If you think Bush is the worst president we ever had, put my bumper sticker on your car.

In either case, you'll be making a political statement that is 100% true.

(If you can define at least three puns in my slogan, put my bumper sticker on your car!)

Polling data shows that Palin's draw was almost entirely in the South, among people who were never going to vote for Obama anyway. And no, getting his far right base fired up isn't enough to give McCain a win.

The hysteria of the news media, egged on by the far right, is now echoed by oblivious panic like this on the Democratic side.

This buying every simple minded hysterical issue of the moment is not helping anyone except McCain.

We're coming off a convention bounce. It's ending, and it hasn't been as long as Obama's was. When it's over, things end up back to where they were before both conventions and yes, before Palin.

I swear this magazine is written by people who just read the worst most sensationalist nonsense and regurgitate it whole. It's amazing.

This may end up being a tight race but there's no telling until both convention bounces fade, and they always do, and these are. To spread all this nonsense based on inflated figures in the meantime is just idiotic. Keep it up Salon. Heckava job.

"Oceana has always been at war with Eastasia."

It is disheartening how quickly people are willing to toss aside what they know to be true in favor of what they'd rather have be true.

It is clear that the writer of this article has gained most of his information concerning conservative voters from watching Michael Moore movies and listening to NPR. The reason the "culture wars" are back is because a great number of Americans actually believe that abortion is immoral. The writer's belief that cultural conservatives don't like liberals because they are just so smart and hip and not because they actually disagree on fundamental issues demonstrates just how out of touch he is and gives a great example as to why so many conservatives rightly resent his type. The beliefs of conservatives are not caused by liberals' hipness! What is really frightening is the writer's inability to understand that people can actually believe things other than what he believes without being either evil or suckers. It is attitudes like that which make a meaningful conversation impossible.

if only that had been the worst quote you could attribute to that moron GWB. Still holding a grudge against Clinton who was a master of diplomacy, balanced the budget, and gave us eight years of peace and prosperity until it all came to a screeching halt because of a blowjob. If only that were the worst thing GWB had done to this country. Look around you at the failing banks, the widespread corruption, the crumbling infrasctructure, even good jobs going overseas, and let's not forget the thousands dead and maimed for a reason GWB cannot name. This is what your tiny brain prefers. And here McCain cannot stop harping about what a war hero he is while showing little or no compassion for the veterans who have served in Iraq. You must be brainless. These republicans come to you and say we are the way, we love God and then they take all your money and you say good show. I don't mind if you're brainless, but you're dragging every thing that was ever good and noble about this country into the sewer with you and McCain and Bush and Cheney and those horrid people whose behavior could not be more un-Christian. Wise up, asshole.

and my blood pressure that I would not pay any more attention to Sarah Palin. Well, here she is again, and I can't just go watch "Project Runway" re-runs, although I really, really want to. I had a respite with Fashion Week (you might think that I cared about fashion -- and I do in a kind of "dear God, isn't she thin and isn't that ugly!" kind of way.)

I've read a lot of history over the course of this summer and it came to me in a blinding flash in the supermarket yesterday that the world is in the state it's in due to stupidity and cupidity. That's ignorance and greed/self-interest. And McCain's insane choice is just another instance: it was stupid and greedy. He wants to be President (although God knows why) and he will do anything, including imperil the country with his VP choice, to do it. It is terrifying indeed, and I just want to go see who wins Project Runway, over and over.

Empty and vacant are your words Kamiya.

You must hate your job.

Have a snort of the "Obama Effect" - BeLIEve we can CHANGE in!

Swap the variables and it parses the same.