Politics as Transcendence

Only once in a very long time does politics become more than politics, that is something more than partisan struggle, vote bartering, or arena of ambition. In ordinary times, ordinary political leaders suffice, more or less.

But on rare occasion, old arrangements and conventional wisdom come unstuck. This happens in periods of rapid if not revolutionary change. We find ourselves now in one of those periods. The forces of globalization, information, eroding sovereignties, and transformation of war ensure that traditional leaders and conventional politics can only muddle through at best and fail badly at worst.

But periods of upheaval also offer opportunities, opportunities to change our methods, our ideas, and our leaders. The rare leader capable of transforming threat to opportunity is one who welcomes transformation and sees it as a chance to abandon tradition and convention, to transcend that which is stale, unprofitable, and ineffective.

Periods of transformation require experimentation, innovation, and daring. America is a nation much more conservative than it thinks itself to be. Thus, its default position is to resist a forward leap even while applauding itself for its creativity. Al Capone said it best: "We don't want no trouble." But transformation is trouble in the best sense of the word, trouble that causes us to adapt to new conditions and circumstances and create new ways of governing.

Through some miracle of timing, luck, and good fortune Barack Obama has seized the moment. His mantra of "change" has been largely co-opted by lesser figures. He is in fact an agent of transformation. He is not operating on the same plane as ordinary politicians, and this makes him seem elusive to the conventional press and the traditional politicians. His instinct for the moment and the times is orders of magnitude more powerful than the experience claimed by others. Experience in the old ways is irrelevant experience.

In an age of great transformation, experience of the past is worthless because it is a barrier to the breakthrough gesture, the instant response in crisis, the instinctive bold decision in the face of totally new circumstances.

Some see Barack Obama as the long awaited champion finally come to slay the awful dragon of race. And they are right. Some see him as a new start for the Democratic Party and national politics. And they are right. Some see him as the walking embodiment of internationalism, ready to restore an honorable and respected place for America in the world. And they are right.

I see Barack Obama as a leader for this transcendent moment, the agent of transformation in an age of revolution, as a figure uniquely qualified to open the door to the 21st century and to convert threat to great new opportunity.

Comments

[neoprimordial]

When Bush took office, he had little foreign policy knowledge, and was by no means a standout leader although he had executive experience as Texas governor. Regardless, his lack of intellectual curiosity (i.e., stupidity) and his bankrupted morals make him horrible. At least if he weren't stupid he could have been effective like Nixon was before Watergate. Obama is clearly one of the smartest people to run for president and his heart appears to be in the right place, but I don't agree with Hart that we should sanctify Barack just yet. I do agree with Hart's analysis about instinct over old ways experience. What makes a great leader? What made George Washington great? John Adams? The Roosevelts? Political experience certainly helps, but in the end it doesn't make the difference. It comes down to wisdom and breath of vision and to integrity greater than average. Obama has the wisdom / vision thing, and likely has above-average integrity. Hillary is, unfortunately, not in the same league, and people recognize this. Obama's worth taking a chance on, in particular because he knows that, whatever happens, the first Black man to... has to represent. It's possible he could be sociopathic or something and not really care how history will view him, but this is unlikely.

"His instinct for the moment and the times is orders of magnitude more powerful than the experience claimed by others."
Beautifully succinct and precise; I had been grasping for a way to describe what it is about Obama. It is his "instinct for the moment" fully fleshed out and informed by his intelligence and seeming integrity that sets him apart from pretty much everyone in Washington, certainly everyone running for president. Well said.

"Experience in the old ways is irrelevant­...." I disagree. Experience is always useful, like history. And like history, those without it are doomed to repeat it, but with an instinct like Obama's, you're much more likely to choose the right paths. The three I's: intelligence, integrity, instinct. Nobody else running has it like Obama.

[ajm1]

With 80-90% African American voters opting for Obama, and the media are silent on the racist issue!!! If 80-90$ of female voters opted for Clinton, the press would go crazy on the gender issue. Is this a double standard? This should be pointed out to the media or better still to female voters.

[sugarmac]

There is also the fact that if someone called Obama a "nigger" or insinuated that he was using his blackness to gain their support, they would quite rightly be called racist. But pointing out Hillary's gender and expecting her to act (and react) like a man is perfectly okay and accepted. Calling her a "bitch" gets a giggle. For so long it has been so. The glass ceiling is real. The simmering hatred is real. I can only dream that "we shall overcome" or "Yes, we can!" Not in my lifetime, I'm afraid.

[Marlyn]

" he was using his blackness to gain their support" ???

Oh right, now you think being black is an advantage ???

[littleblackcat]

Either way, they will be laying the groundwork for future candidates. If Hillary wins, it will be said for years that she only won because women voted for her whether they believed in her ideas or not. If Obabma wins, it will be said for years that he only won because of black voters voting for him whether or not they believed in his ideas. The NAY-sayers are going to say NAY no matter what happens. We just happen to have the good fortune to be present when the ground was being broken. Providing the repus don't get back in and the natural progression takes place, in less than a quarter of a century (I might still be alive!) we will see angry blacks trash a black woman, angry women trash another woman, and men flocking toward a gay man with good ideas, all without getting anyone's knickers in a twist. Anyone else remember that less than 100 years ago, women were not allowed to vote at all?

[Marlyn]

"Obabma ????? If Obama wins, it will be said for years that he only won because of black voters" ???

What percent of voters are black?

[knerd]

Just look within and we'll find all the double standards we need.

Why not look for something else?

[Smarski]

I think your article was beautifully written, and really hits right on the mark. I have been a reluctant supporter of Obama, but I have also been a reluctant supporter of Hillary. I think he has shown that he has stepped ahead of what could have been the first woman president. Does race really have a place in defining who Obama is? Or is it more that because of the ineptitude of our current president, we are in dire need of a hero, a figure we can look to as someone with knowledge, conscience, and goodwill. It is very true that "experience of the past is worthless because it is a barrier to the breakthrough gesture, the instant response in crisis, the instinctive bold decision in the face of totally new circumstan­ces." That is why Obama offers so much to turning around what this country has become. We have stepped down from taking the high road, from doing what is right to set an example for the world to see. Obama can truly shine a new light on our country's future.
And as much as I like Bill, in spite of his infidelities, I never felt comfortable with the "HillandBill" show anyway. I don't want two bedfellows making decisions for America!

[sugarmac]

Knowledge, conscience and goodwill? Sounds like life experience to me. Smarski, you make some good points, but it is not just Bush who has lost so much for the country; it is the republican party. We are worlds apart in idealogy. It will take someone with knowledge of the past to have the experience needed to change our future.

[Marlyn]

"It will take someone with knowledge of the past" ???

BUT we all have that.

[go2jamesday]

...but will he be able to do two things... Make it through the election unscarred? (as opposed to being outted as a former druggie or dealer) and then... actually be able to effect the change we so desperately need? It wasn't so long ago that Bill & Hillary went to Washington with dreams, passion and energy. I saw what happens to youthful politicians who don't understand just how entrenched the special interest groups are and how far they will go and how much money they'll spend to protect their slice of either an industry or the government pie.

Fear is not a comfortable thing... but it is a God given instinct that was designed to protect the human animal at times of threat. Obama, as much as I love his words... frightens me - because I don't know what the right wing whackos have dug up against him... because I don't know about the mistakes he's made in his life... because we really need a change in party of the resident a the White House. We need a Democrat to be president.

[luckyt]

To put it mildly when the revolution comes black man will be partying, said a black rap group of the sixties called the Last Poets. And that is what the Black's and Latinos and the Democratic Party has been doing since the civil rights movement of the sixties. Hopefully Barack Obama understands the danger he places himself and family and that revolution is an absolute change from something that is old to something new. I hope that he has the courage and the fortitude of Frederick Douglas,Bobby Kennedy, J.F.K. and Martin Luther King Jr.I hope that this man is the messiah of true freedom from the grip of tyranny wrought upon the American people over the last fifty years by those of the conservative movement. I believe that this man can bring to fruition Martin Luther King Jr's. dream of a world were all man are created equal. Although I admire the Clinton's they are part of the old establishment that is willing to make concessions with those on the right and left that continue to betray us. Just look at what experience has given us in Nancy Pellosi and Harry Reed, cowardice in the face of the enemy.

[sugarmac]

Cowardice? Oh, my. Every time they try to respond to the people's clamor, there are just enough Congressmen to keep good things from passing. We desperately need to get full control of Congress before we can really accomplish much. That has to accompany the office of President! And that IS up to us.

[yannaview]

I am surprised at the blatant bandwagonnig by knowlegable and experienced politiciians, like Mt Hart and Senator Kennedy. They are choosing Barack over Hillary for reasons they are not telling. Could it be because Barack, is opposing Hillary and they cannot. You see at this time Barack is great as an Orator, but poor as politician to handle the USA today.
This world does not need ONLY the platitudes of MLK, or Nelson Mandela, or even the great motivator Fidel Castro.

The USA needs a redeemer , someone that is going to kick the ass of the folks who put our social development at risks. This leader must have excellent organisational and managable skills that is influenced by a pro people outlook. A pragmatic President.­Hillary is that person without a doubt.

When China nneded to correct themselves following the chaotic policies of Mao tze Tung. They were fortunate to have Mr. Pragmatist, Mr. Deng. He was named TIME magazine's man of the year the following year.


Barack Obama is not about revolutionary outlook, he is NOT revolutionary.
He developed a strategy to WIN the Presidency straight up nothing else. Who is he uniting , and who is he uniting against?
This is a class society, with each class having it's aspirations and limitations.

Which class is going to lead this revolution of Barack, according to Mr. Hart? There are no answers. Which class is going to reap the benefits..­...and realistically all the classes cannot get the same amount of benefits.
The neocons and republicans will laugh , again, at the liberal dreamers following a Pied Piper with no recognizable solutions, which Obama does not possess. We will be back to 2000 for years from today.

So Obama is an Orator, an activist, a community leader, nothing more . What a mess if we mistakenly give him the Presidency. He needs at least 4 four years apprenticeship , as Vice President before he fully understands the magnitude of the Presidential task .
So the Superdelegates may have to save the day, the DNC, and the USA in one vote.

[tommjk]

Well said.

[sugarmac]

Right on, go2jamesday. You get it.

[LarBear]

go2jamesda­y... You said:"Fear is not a comfortable thing... but it is a God given instinct that was designed to protect the human animal at times of threat."
I completely disagree! Startle is Natural... Startle triggers a natural Fight/ Flight reaction..­.
Fear is created... Fear is both taught and learned... Fear is taking a Natural startle and adding Fear thoughts and emotions..­..
Organized Religion may talk of Love, but teaches and practices Fear... Politicians, especially the Republicans, have learned to practice creating Fear in the Publics mind quite well...
"FEAR" was the "Bush Administration's" weapon of choice, used on the People of the USA, to Invade and Occupy Iraq... Fear works... Fear keeps the Military Industrial Complex bloated and wealthy...
Fear is a choice... Typically a reactive choice, NOT a response enabled choice...

[sugarmac]

LarBear, your distinction is well noted and correct. It's been a part of the republican arsenal for a long time, but Carl Rove took it to the max.

[amberglow]

His own policies and proposals won't effect that change--in most cases, they're just incremental and very status-quo--and in some they're far less progressive than Hillary's, which are also weak.

[daddysboy]

This is probably how most of the people that work in the various campaigns feel. It must be such a letdown at the end. I would dearly love to believe all of this about Obama, but the truth is that half of it is conjecture and the other half is fantasy. Your absolute certainty about Obama is the most frightening thing about this endorsement. The only thing Americans should be counting on is the force of their own will and their own convictions. Vote for Obama because he stands for something real that you believe in, not because he is shiny.

[kuulray]

You want something real? Obama supports rescinding tax breaks for companies that export jobs overseas and giving those breaks to companies that keep jobs here. He supports the redeployment of troops from Iraq and using our forces to catch and destroy those who actually did attack us on 9/11. He supports a health care plan that moves the country toward universal health care without forcing working people to buy insurance they can't afford. How's that for starters?

[Vinkaye]

Hillary Clinton was the first person, in this race, to support rescinding tax breaks for companies that export jobs overseas. Hillary Clinton also supports withdrawing troops from Iraq, and remembering the war in Afghanistan. Hillary Clinton actually supports getting everyone health insurance, Senator Obama's plan will not change the level of uninsured in this nation. It seems to me if those 3 things are truly important to you, you are supporting the wrong candidate.

[quantum9leap]

The problems facing this country are so great as to boggle the mind. It is going to take a person of great stature to not only take these problems on but to attempt to solve them. I do not recognize your candidate as a person even beginning to recognize the enormity of these problems and their variety. I listen but all I hear are nonsensical platitudes. I hear nothing of substance. I do recognize him as a bright person but it is the height of conceit to believe that he is schooled enough in the recognition of the immensity of these far reaching problems. One does not send a boy out to do a man's work! He must get some time and practice under his belt if he wishes to tackle such a rash of problems. Talk is cheap but actions prove the maturity of the person. There has been no action which might prove that he has the capacity at this time to take on the job.
I fear for the election and I fear for the understanding of the members of the Democratic party. This is not a silly moment and the voters must get serious about the outcome.

[luckyt]

Quantum in what world do you live in? The people that have been running this government for almost eight years would have run a Macdonald's into the ground in eight month's or less. And if it weren't for his daddy George W. would have never been given the opportunity to run any business based on his resume or ability.

[sugarmac]

No, no! Quantum is absolutely right. As obvious as his quick intelligence is, he is not prepared, and won't be for too long. WE DON'T HAVE THE TIME! Forget Bush; he is old news. His legacy is what we have to worry about.

[egc2]

I have seen the civil rights movement when it is at its best make life better for everyone. And I have seen the Black Community when it is at its best be the most effective champion of core American values of fairness, freedom, justice and humanity to the benefit of the whole American society. Obama comes from that redemptive tradition, transcending race and bringing to the American political scene empowerment of the electorate by committing himself to their support and their support only. As such, Obama represents the best chance for the American people to free themselves of ideologues and big money and to take back their government, heal the wounds inflicted by the divide and conquer politicians and move on to a more prosperous, inclusive, safe, civil and Constitutional future. Hope is the most powerful force in human experience. Marry hope to faith in the triumph of good over evil and a love for all mankind and you get the triumphal results predicted by every religion and humanistic organization. The attacks the Republicans will bring on Obama will be chickenfeed compared to the cultural biases and slanders he has had to maneuver through from childhood. In light of recent history we are well served to look at and listen to our politicians skeptically. If Obama has not completely covered all policy bases he has at least revealed where he is coming from and the principles on which he will build his decisions. Clinton's offering to the electorate is experience and the ability to vanquish her enemies. Let me remind you that she failed at health care (her great initiative) and that her husband's electoral and impeachment victories came at the expense of Democratic Congressional dominance and the loss of the Presidency to the most disastrous President to date. By contrast Obama's offering to the electorate is judgment and wisdom and a political ascendency against all odds that is coming on the wave of a reenergized and expanded political base that has left in its wake coalition instead of fallen and embittered enemies.

[OldladyUSA]

I support Barak Obama, not for the band wagon or other such fluff, but because he is the only one telling the SAME consistent TRUTH. The details of his plans will be parsed, and some may need it, but for me Obama has that ONE political skill of being able to instill a call to action for most of the people, on most of the issues, apparently most of the time.

It is, after all, the citizens job to move their politicians in the desired direction.

[daddysboy]

The details of any plans that candidates have are never parsed. Well, maybe late one night on PBS...

[loucheish]

I am skeptical about Obama becuase I am doubtful of his ability to "instill a call to action for most of the people, on most of the issues, apparently most of the time." Isn't he currently running just about neck and neck with Clinton? He can't even inspire an overwhelming majority of Democrats with his tepid rhetoric.

And I keep seeing references to his supposed ability to draw from across the political spectrum; beyond occasional anecdotal examples, are there any hard numbers available to back up this claim? Myself, I'm pretty liberal and desperately want "change" (Kucinich was my guy - but I recognize John Edwards as the strongest candidate of the bunch) and even I find Obama's rhetoric annoyingly hollow.

Of course, maybe shallow rhetoric is just what it takes to compete with the Republicans. Since their policies are flawed and built on shoddy ideology, it's pretty much all they have. Still, they seem to do pretty well with it (in terms of 'connecting' with voters, that is).

I find Obama's zealous support puzzling. The only way it makes sense to me is that he offers a blank screen on which these folks can project their hopes. I wish I had more to believe in. Short of that, I wish I could feel even a shred of Obama's hype.

Oh well... Maybe Martin O'Malley will be ready to run in 2012...

[sugarmac]

The same empty truth, yes. You don't need details? Oratory ability is enough?

[Vinkaye]

"A call to action for most of the people"? He's currently running just about dead even in the Democratic primary. This is a media generated myth, that Senator Obama is sweeping the nation. The truth is either candidate could still win, which means Senator Obama isn't even sweeping over the Democratic party.

[amberglow]

a call of action--for what? to do what? for him to do what? for us to do what?

all there is is a call of action to get him elected--that's it.

[RetMarineview]

i would hope that people would look before they leap into the pool witch could be empty. Obama is a very nice and has a lot of change but he has not said how he would make the changes? That has me worried. Please Remember when Bush said that he was a uniter and did he unite?? So I a very concerned that Obama says he will make changes but then has nothing tyo say on how he will make the changes. After Bush said trust me to unite I am not sure I want to take the chance that he will make changes. I hear yes we can but that is all I hear. I want to know how he make changes. Also why he will not do a debate in Wis? This has me also concered. Since he is the leader now he should want to debate her??

[april4president]

What? Why are you comparing Bush to Obama?? Please, don't be a fool. Don't become a victim of the ignorant nay-sayers who haven't even taken the time to evaluate Obama's considered approach. Do some research into his political stance and decide for yourself:

http://www.barackobama.com/

Courage.

[Vinkaye]

Isn't it possible that after researching his positions on his website, and other areas without as much spin, that we have decided that he is not the best candidate for President?

[anghiari]

Oh my gosh, are all of Hillary's people this constipated and unwilling to use intellectual rigor to think?

[koolwoman]

I will fight for Hillary as long as she is standing. I believe Texas will give her a good boost. We need Hillary. She has what it takes to win, to govern, and to fight against the wolf pack.. After all she already has done.that.

[daddysboy]

It isn't possible to be for BOTH Clinton and Obama at this point? The member's and the delegate's votes will decide who the Democrat party wants to nominate, then they will campaign (they may even decide to make their opponent their running mate at that point which might make many people feel really silly for being so divisive). Why put the cart before the horse? We've had the pre-primary debate already; let's keep the negative comments where they belong; squarely on mccain and his plans to bomb Iran.

[Davwbaird]

Gary, you have a great way with words and a mind that is able to see beyond the pale.

[Paladin2]

He has a 'great way with words?'. How do you figure? Sounds like a press release for head in the sand Americans who don't want to do much thinking, instead dreaming about 'revolutionary times' and all the assorted boiler plate cliches he could fit into such a short piece of nothingness. Who knows what this Obama guy will do...he certainly isn't saying, but the odds are strong that he'll do the same thing all the candidates from both wings of the one party U.S. system will do...try to hold together a dying empire with whatever gimmicks and tricks are in his bag of tricks. The truest thing I've heard about U.S. elections is that anyone capable of getting elected President isn't fit to hold the job. Going back just the last 6 or 7 'winners' I'd say it's proven itself. And Mr. Hart, why you command so much space here is beyond me, because I've yet to read any post of yours that indicates anything but just another sack of shit in a suit. "Lead" us into a new era in an 'age or revolution'? Are you actually serious? My dictionary must be different than yours because Americans don't have either the guts, integrity or interest to behave as the men who wrote the Constitution instructed. If they did it would have already have happened and most of our "leaders" in Washington would be in prison or executed, long ago. You politicians must get to the point where you actually start believing your own crap. American want the same thing they've always wanted...t­o 'police' the rest of the world so that they can as 4% of the planets population continue to 'consume' 40 some percent of its resources and think they are buying cheap gas based on the pump price. And people like you are a dime a dozen with all this talk of 'new world orders' and other assorted lies, couched in patriotic, inspired but pure lies. I'm not an Obama Hater by the way, just sick of all this shallow, meaningless babble.

[daddysboy]

Couldn't that have been said without being so insulting? Some of your points are excellent and I couldn't agree more, but American discourtesy has become an epidemic and I thought we were all on the same page that we were tired of it except in reference to our current federal government administrators.

[Davwbaird]

well interesting they approved your disgusting post paladin2. You I fear are projecting.

[tommjk]

Bravo!

[sugarmac]

Very astute. We are a lot to blame ourselves. After all, even after a firse term, we (not I) elected Bush to a second term. That's what amazed the Europeans so much; they never thought it would happen. So this time we need to be sure of what we're doing. How can we do that with Obama, when we really know so little about him? We KNOW Hillary, and no one has come up with any REAL problems with her. If you don't LIKE her for whatever reason, are you going to LIVE WITH HER? It's what she does that matters, and if we help her, she might even be able to do it.

[57basque]

Obama is the right man in the rght place at the right time. We had best figure out what should be changed. There is the Mondragon Cooperative of in the Basque region of Spain. IF Congress would only allow the Unions to work out the details, it would solve a lot of things. And another change would be cutting all military spending by 75%. Then use the trash/cash we save to develop electric cars into our solar powered roofs. That would put the next 2 generations to work on something useful.

[sugarmac]

If you think we need to "figure out" what needs to be changed, then how would you know that Obama is "the right man in the right place at the right time"?

[unionave]

At the start when she was ahead she was against negative campaigning now that she is behind negative campaigning is okay . If she has no charisma and nobody is buying what she is selling the only thing left is destruction of the competition . That leaves us not with the best candidate but a damaged candidate to compete with the opposition . She has MISMANAGED her funds and now needs free air time . DEBATES . Give me a break . She has had several years and opportunities to do the things she is promising now but spent that time playing the political cards . IRAQ and many other issues . How ever the wind blows . We all know she has a lot of baggage and that was her reason for asking her fellow Dems to join her in a clean campaign . After her promise not to go negative can we believe anything she says ?

[realitytrumpsbull]

Well, I'll tell you what, I wish that some of these candidate/pandidate people would cleave off from their apparent propensity to redistribute other peoples' material holdings.

At the end of the day, every square inch of the United States 'belongs' to the government. Oh, what fun you could have with that, were you inclined to be manipulative or biased or or or.
And, in recent years, it's become kind of apparent that there's been a fair amount of high-handed racketeering, everybody and their dog wants to come up with some sort of brilliant plan, and profit by it. Is that patriotism, or is it larceny? I'd like Barack and other candidates to take 10 minutes to discuss the function of incompetence and organized crime and its' impact on government and hence society. We still appear to be at psuedo-war, which is technically illegal, and occupying other countries, which is also technically illegal, and Congresser and hangers-on are kind of sitting there, drinking beer and not doing much about it. Since the power of the purse is theirs, and war declaration and hence administrative control of the military is theirs, in theory at least there should be some type of movement or response. In theory. In practice, this administrationerer seems to have Congresser in a headlock and mugging it for control of the national purse. Makes ya wonder.
The 'government', AKA 'the People', referenced in 'we, the People', are ill-served when other peoples' high-dollar agendas start interfering with the proper process and function of representative government, to include the voting process. Government is a system, kind of like a robot, and the old T-101 seems to be experiencing a lot of confusion.­..hmmm...

[Davwbaird]

organized crimes include skimming republican business men.How do I know about the vast underground? Grew up in the home of one.

I sense a lot of anger, much of it misplaced. This country is always late in waking up and so easily manipulated by fear and threats.

Now WE, millions of Americans have what we have been complaining about not having, a true inspiring leader, and the trashing begins. Go figure, thinks this 65 year old white single male.

[GreyHairandGreyMatter]

Hello Gary,

Your entitled to your own opinion, but not to your own facts. I believe that John McCain should be able to make mince meat out of Obama's inexperience and flawed political policies and principles. But if the youth actually get out and vote for the "full of hot air" Obama, he could very possibly win, and even win very big in November to our nation's detriment.

Basically, "Barack Obama's" well-intentioned, but unfortunately he's a "skimmer." He talks a good game similar to Condoleeza Rice our Secretary of State, but similar to "Condi" there is very little substantive accomplishment behind Barack's engaging but vacuous facade once you constructively dig beneath his appealing veneer.

[april4president]

Why on earth would anyone compare Condoleezza to Barack? Clearly we can add *racism* to your obvious ignorance about Obama's nuanced domestic policies. I shudder to think what you might mean by "skimmer."

BTW, it's your own fault if you choose to drown yourself in ridiculous cliches ("full of hot air"??) rather than dig deeper. Don't generalize about Barack's purported "lack of experience­." He's a professor of CONSTITUTIONAL LAW (which might come in handy considering how the Bush Admin has chewed holes through it); he spent years struggling through the ranks of grassroots organizing­... and most importantly he speaks the *language of idealism* without losing an ounce of substance. Or can't you be bothered to actually investigate? Have you even been to his website??

[sugarmac]

April, how's this for a cliche? "professor of Constitutional Law" - Hoop-de-doo! That has to be the easiest part of Law to teach - it's all right there in writing. What's to teach? Understanding it?
And also, he went to school for at least 7 years between 1979-1991. He worked for a short time in 1985 with a group helping poor neighborhoods. After he graduated from law school he taught and got involved in politics. He went to work for a high-powered law firm and ran for office. But they don't talk much about that law firm, do they?

[Davwbaird]

McCain, nothing but an old flip flopping fart,and easy to0 nail.

[juangault]

hit the nail on the head, but watch for the sympathy support. He sat in hell for five years. He may not tear up like Hillary, but a few percent are always affected by a sad song.

[Silknspark]

How will Limbaugh's endorsement impact Obama's run? Won't this confuse the far left socialists who "HATE" Rush?

[riverhouse]

There are none so blind as they who will not see. Barack Obama is the hope of America. Only a total doofus would let this opportunity to change the direction of America pass for the likes of the sleazebag Clintons. It is absolute insanity for people to think that Hillary Clinton could be a fit president in these perilous times. More than half the country despises her. She has no ideas. She's a sellout to corporate America and AIPAC. Barack Obama represents the best of America. We pass up this leader at our peril.

[juangault]

good to see you back, and some 3.25's bring everything into focus. My suspicion is that the reasons for Hillary's high negatives are rather unspeakable, foolish to spout about, definitely impolite to expose. (It might even backfire, so keep um silent) She counts on that, but will grace hold up the bridge, as we try to move a house across the river? Will she be able to lead, or represent, America with 47% and 3.01 super delegates?