That's interesting: I also wasn't really in his corner until my highly scientific research led to believe that he is a highly pragmatic and skillful guy. I still don't find him to be a SUPER great speaker but I see why he can inspire. But I've read so many different descriptions of how he works that impress me. I'm NOT saying that I know he is a perfect politician with super powers; I just think he's got the best skills in that department in this race. I am certain that it is not difficult for Hillary supporters to see her advantage in this area.I found it interesting that you also moved towards Barack in the same direction as I did.

As to Clinton, if she displayed evidence of having gained some wisdom into things based upon her experience as a woman, I'd be sympathetic.

Could you elaborate more? Clinton has been working on behalf of women and children since her twenties. Surely you knew that. She made a bold speech years ago at I believe it was called "The International Conference on Women" in China in which she decried how women were treated. People who think Clinton has done nothing for women, for children, or for feminist issues just haven't been paying enough attention. When she talks about 35 years of experience, she is not just talking about the White House years. She has been an activist for liberal issues ever since she gave up her Daddy's influence and her support for the Republicans. Post-Goldwater, she has been doing what her Methodist faith tells her: Doing as much good as she can for as long as she can.

I do wish someone here at Salon would take an honest look at how Methodism has influenced Hillary Clinton. I believe that, aside from her marriage to Bill, it has been the biggest continuing influence upon her adult life. Hillary Clinton is ALL Methodist. Her cerebral approach and to some extent the fact that she seems not very exciting at times stems from the Methodist sensibility. They distrust emotionalism in faith and believe good works are as important as faith. However, it would not be Methodist to go on to much about that sort of thing. Bragging too much about one's desire to do good gains one no foothold in heaven.

IT WAS JUST A CHARADE

Either most of the “pundits” are stupid or they are in it. There are some prevailing questions in leading up to the "divorce" between the Rev and Sen Obama. After the painful PA loss, pundits have been saying that the Wright controversy is one of the reasons for the loss. That Sen Obama has to distance himself from the Rev to improve his poll rating among Democrats and Independents. But how??? So what happens is interesting. A week before the IN and NC primary, for UNEXPLAINED reason, the Rev resurfaces. For two days, he makes a string of appearances/speeches to defend himself and spew the same sermon he did in the pew.++++ This NOW gives Sen Obama a chance to condemn and “TOTALLY and “COMPLETELY” break his relationship from the Rev, something he failed to do in his first speech. Then Rev Wright now disappears and goes back in seclusion. Sen Obama now can put his controversial pastor behind him and have a clean break. This way, he can convince the electorate and more importantly the Superdelegates to throw their support to him. +++++++++The uneasiness in me keeps telling me that it wasn’t a real divorce but just a political charade???

As to the racism thing, I'll concede your basic point that "Obama started it," to which I can only say, two wrongs don't make a Wright. (God, shoot me now.) Whatever the state of Clinton's heart, her behavior of late has been undeniably racist.

When backed into a corner, who did she [Clinton}turn to for help?

"FarakkhanFarakkhanFarakkhan."

What she did is no worse than what Obama did. He painted her racist to get black votes and white liberal votes. It worked.

Why did she not confront "the black community" herself?

"Look, guys, I understand I may have offended you, I'm sorry. Do you want to talk about it?"

I don't think she realized at first what was happening. (Maybe Bill had a inkling.) When she did, I suspect she was furious. This isn't about the black community and how they feel. It is about Obama's campaign inciting how they feel.

Clinton knew her intent wasn't racist in her talk about MLK, LBJ, and JFK. What she said was historically accurate. Perhaps in her mind, she saw no reason to apologize for being truthful. This campaign ended up in the dirt because Obama wanted to make the Clinton's out as dirty while pretending to stay above the fray.

Instead, she threw her hands up in disgust and resorted to her comfort zone, what she's good at, which is combat.

If someone said I was racist and did it in a way that was a deliberate attempt to ruin my reputation, I would not only sue them; I would dine on their liver.

I think she is just doing tit for tat and I see nothing wrong with that. In fact, I (and I suspect many other Clinton supporters) take some satisfaction that she is giving as good as she got. What would be the lady-like response? Roll over and die? Curl up in a little ball and cry? Beg forgiveness when she had done nothing wrong? Bullshit!

Maybe she really was hurt by being accused of being a racist or whatever. That's fine, but how did she respond?

I think she was both hurt and furious. You are trying to hold her to a double standard here: A woman politician must never fight like a man. A woman politician must never seek payback.

I and many other women like the way she is fighting.

There is much that you don't understand about women, I think. We don't come in one type. Even feminists don't come in one type.

When Barack Obama said "the claws come out," he didn't know half of what he was in store for.

Barack Obama should have never played the race card. He should have never tried to use sexism against Clinton.

Isn't that the question that sheds light on what her presidency might look like?

Nope. Just like there is more than one Barack Obama, there is more than one Hillary Clinton.

I admire her. She is the toughest politician I have ever seen and one of the most versatile.

I used to do career development. My job was putting people in the right job for them.

I believe the presidency is the right job for Hillary Clinton.

Barack Obama? Maybe someday. Not now. He needs to do more career development.