I see very few people defending Obama. But what I do have is a very real fear of people who speak of voting third party and people, like you, who seam to WANT him to be some sort of superman who can put an end to this magically.

I just don't 1. how he can stop this right now. 2. How is this constructive in any way.

How often do I have to remind people on the left about how we got into this position to begin with? Obama has his flaws. Hell yeah. But allowing the meme to spread that it makes no difference whether he or MCain win is the worst thing we can do, and its exactly how Gore lost. Yes, a repeat of that scared the living Jesus out me.

Isn't it rather unfair to mention your view in your post as to Obama, then get all huffy when others point out there point of view? And more importantly, how constructive is it?

I want him to speak out too, but do I think he can stop this by himself? NO. Nobody can. Why? Because the American people don't give a shit. I'll say that again, they don't care. I'll rephrase it. They couldn't care less. Another way: they are ignorant as to the issue. Can I say it any more ways?

Can you deny that truth?

If you don't understand that Obama is a Chicago pol from the Daley Machine then you understand nothing about Obama.

I got tired of repeating this a while ago so I stopped. It's still true, however. Please note the mention of the Daley Machine. It's the key to Obama who, IMHO, is not a deep nor an original political thinker.

The only political model Obama knows is the Chicago Machine. The Daley Machine is a very effective political entity, and, for its own survival, quite good at basic governing. Obama is recreating this very successful and familiar model on a national scale.

What people do not understand is that the Daley Machine is first and foremost a tool for consolidating and keeping political (and personal) power. If it is necessary to woo certain constituencies in order to keep and expand that power, then those constituencies will be wooed. They will be wooed passionately and relentlessly until they are won over.*

They will be given as much as is necessary to win their loyalty and to preserve the Machine’s power - but they will be given no more than is necessary and no longer than needed. The wooing is only the means to the political end.**

I watched in amazement the adulation given Obama as a "new" politician. He is nothing of the sort. Why should he be? The old machine ways, with the help of the DNC, are working very well. Won't the DNC and other current Democratic leaders be surprised when, having served the machine's purpose, they are relegated to irrelevancy?

As far as the FISA sellout. It may very well be that Obama is behind it. Politicians whose guiding principle is staying in power, and Mr. Hoyer is certainly one, know far in advance where the power is and implement currently favored policies to stay in power themselves. If Obama and his advisors feel that FISA might be a difficulty for them during the campaign they will get it off the table now.

I am not the first to point out that the fix has been in or Obama for a long time. FISA and the Constitution are just minor details. This makes Obama sound like every other national politician whose politics is that of expediency in the service of self-aggrandizement.

Exactly.

* This indicates the the anti-FISA, pro-Constitution faction is not worthy of wooing. If it can raise enough money and make enough noise that may change. The machine and its politicians are not for or against civil liberties. Their only goal is gaining and maintaining their power. If defeating the FISA bill will help them do that then they will turn on a dime and do that. So far, however, it's clear that they believe destroying the Constitution is more helpful to them.

** To understand about wooing the constituencies that must be wooed in order to maintain power read Boss by Mike Royko (still available on Amazon). The events are dated. The Daley Machine's methods of gaining and retaining power are not.

hahahahahahahah

keep rehashing that post.

Whoa re you trying to convince gop? yourself. keep thinking you have a hcnag ethis election. Dylusional.

This is a sad day, made sadder by watching my American friends floundering around in shock and confusion (and, in some instances, denial).

This is just a quick note to pay my respects and wish you all the very best. If I have understood the, well, live-blogging that pow wow has been integrating into this comments thread, there may still be a window of opportunity and I hope someone is clever enough to figure out how best to take advantage.

I'll close by suggesting that Glenn's recent comments are anything but over the top. It's a bitter pill, to be sure, but as clear-eyed as ever. You're lucky to have him.

I'm not a prayin' man, but my thoughts are with you at this critical and painful time.

If only Obama would place a hold when it comes up in the Senate. I'd like to see Reid ignore that.

Then again, I'd also like a pony.

Keep up the great work Glenn- even if it means I have to keep a bottle of tums next to the keyboard.

I see very few people defending Obama. But what I do have is a very real fear of people who speak of voting third party and people, like you, who seam to WANT him to be some sort of superman who can put an end to this magically.

Can you deny that truth?

-- 6Stringer

Your comment was a non-resonsive non-sequitur, Stringer. We're not asking for Obama the magic dragon. We're only asking that he not be Obama the magic disappearing act.