I am truly disappointed in Barack Obama's decision to vote for the FISA bill as well as what appears to be a drift to the "center," as part of his campaign strategy.

Also, being an atheist, I am not interested in seeing any faith-based initiatives as part of government. In my mind it is important to keep religion and government separate.

That said, I still believe he will be a positive influence in causing "change" from the way things have been done over the last 7 years.

I am not giving up on Salon because I enjoy Glenn Greenwald.

But Joan Walsh's writing has reached the apex of absurdity. Twenty years from now she will still be defending HRC's massive incompetence and denigrating Obama's obvious talents.

"Also, being an atheist, I am not interested in seeing any faith-based initiatives as part of government. In my mind it is important to keep religion and government separate."

I'll give you that. That is true. But a personal chocie he made. Nobody's perfect. :)

john mccain? Better?

I don't get the myth that being strong on protecting the Constitution and citizen rights is "weak" while espousing authoritarian policies like warrantless spying on American citizens and ditching the Bill of Rights is "strong" and indicative of firm moral character.

Firm like Mussolini, methinks.

If, as some here argue, Obama should get a free pass for voting with the crowd because his vote wasn't a swing vote, then he's no more than a political lemming. That's an excuse to fold whenever the math doesn't go your way.

Obama had the chance to offer genuine leadership on FISA. He didn't. The luster has come off for me.

Joan, of course, there are places to go on Nov. 4. You can write Hillary in or go shopping. You don't have to vote for McCain.

I knew there'd be buyers remorse about Obama, but not so soon. I can't wait of the humongous outdoorsy Yes We Can Pachanga in Denver. After that I'm tuning out and concentrate on writing my memoirs.

A man is only as good as his word, and Barack

Obama betrayed his promise to vote against

the FISA bill. I cannot vote for nor support

a man who does not keep his word on this and

other issues......I cannot trust a man such

as this. You lost my vote, Senator Obama.

Salon readers who participated in our last poll were able to quite amazingly predict what Joan Walsh would say next! Now, it's your chance to do it again!!

She's back from vacation, she's given Obama her de rigeur blasting re: FISA. But what's next?

Vote in our poll now!

http://salonparody.blogspot.com

I really am deeply disappointed in Obama for this vote. I'm disgusted with the culture of corruption in Washington over the past 7+ years and felt that holding telecomms accountable for their law-breaking, even if it's done at the behest of government, would send an important message. On top of that, I don't think telecomm immunity is a winning issue, so not only did Obama vote the wrong way but he probably won't benefit from it politically. It was just stupid all around.

HOWever, when I see people suggest that Obama is just as wrong in this as Bush I've got to roll my eyes. Let's keep it in perspective here. Obama cast a really bad vote out of political expedience and it reflects poorly on his character, but Bush deliberately and knowingly violated the Constitution and the 4th amendment for years. Granting retroactive immunity for criminal actions is wrong, but it is not the equivolent of committing the crime in the first place.

That's not to defend Obama. I just think some folks need to keep this in perspective.

Joan has every right to rip Obama for this terrible vote. He deserves it.

What irks me is that Joan conflates this obvious flip-flop with positions where she simply disagrees with Obama, even though he's been consistent. Anyone who's followed politics over the past year knows Obama is moderate on abortion and gun control and his healthcare approach is more market-driven and less progressive than Hillary Clinton's. This isn't news. So ripping Obama for FISA is fair game but this other stuff just comes off as piling on.

What also irks me is that every one of these criticisms of Obama circle back to Hillary Clinton, who despite Joan's fever dreams, is not and will not be the candidate.

Get over it already.

i remember when he named the race. he was at some event and said italian-americans get a double name as do irish-americans and jewish-americans. we black americans want a double name too. We are African-Americans. and then he folded his arms like IL Duce glared all around at the audience daring any to say nay. what a horse's ass! now, when someone says that black men ought to take care of their children - and that's not a Black Thing, that's a Man Thing, he says he is talking down? that "i'm going to cut his nuts off"? what's his Problem? senility? early onset Alsheimer's? his own father left without so much as a good-bye maybe he still has a problem with that, unlike Obama who has transcended it.

While I disagree with Obama's FISA bill vote, I think I can find it in my heart to forgive him. It's curious that you, Joan, found a way to forgive Hillary's vote authorizing the War in Iraq... which has resulted in death and destruction. Despite her hideously wrongheaded vote, for which she never apologized, you still found it in your heart to hail Clinton's courage and strength fighting against sexism in her campaign. Obama's vote on VISA was egregious, but it's no worse -- in fact, far from it -- than Clinton's vote on Iraq. Joan, you're a good Catholic... please find it in your heart to forgive Obama. Barack may be able to survive without it, but I know I can't go on if you don't.

The delegates should get up and vote for Al Gore!