JoeMN

While I agree the policy details are similar, they are not the same, and it's those differences that matter. We need a mandated health care system, not a wishy-washy, only if you can afford it but make sure your kids get it first system.

All bickering aside, my biggest fear about Obama becoming president is the amount of potential disappointment he and the nation will feel when he's thrown into the reality of Washington outside the Senate. The ego of Congress is at least as big as that of the Executive branch, K street will run as usual, and he'll be dealing with a whole new set of things he's never dealt with, such as managing foreign policy and the military. I don't want us to come in on Day 2 and ask "Where's the beef?" and not get anything back - or worse, find out it was never coming in the first place.

I'm all for reinvigorating the process and our trust in the system, but look back over 200-odd years and you'll see it's always been this way. So I'm a cynic. But I'm trying to be realistic. Sue me. posted 04/01/2008 at 14:00:27

Bravo. As I've said since the beginning of the race - when he speaks, all I hear is the ocean. While Clinton may be pulling out all the stops, it's not like we didn't expect she would. We know and understand the Clinton machine and what they're willing to do, which gives me more comfort than the word play and high tones of Obama. He's stuck between a rock and a hard place. In the end, he'll either be dragged down by Clinton or McCain. He's too far left, he hasn't got substance, and if Hillary left the race now, he would run out of wind to keep his sails blowing.
Wake up, Obamaphiles. posted 04/01/2008 at 12:06:59

This column is not about racism, it's about classist-bourgeois guilt. There are many areas where race isn't the deciding factor about what is possible. It's about money, and it penetrates all colors. The divide has always been over money. Was there a big sign of relief when Clinton "apologized" for slavery in the 90s? No. There was anger because it didn't come with monetary retribution. Money to lift up those who felt oppressed and wash away the white guilt. My family came to this country long after slavery, made our way on our own, don't feel bad about it, and wonder why some people never quit asking for a hand out. Sure, we're generally caring about others - of any color, but it's still about money. By demanding retribution and burning innocent ears into warped siphons for anger, I see only perpetuation of the idea of oppression through money, or lack thereof. Until we come to terms with our guilt over a class system that will never serve all people equally and will never be eradicated, we can never move on to the questions and problems of racial understanding. Obama should be talking about the anger of economics, not the anger of a generalized black America. But that wouldn't address the point of why he stuck with the angry preacher for so long, even after he had climbed up the ladder, got some money, and got over it. posted 03/31/2008 at 17:17:45