By the way, for those of you interested, here's a site in which you can ask Super Delegates to stop being uncommitted or to switch to your candidate:

https://www.lobbydelegates.com/default.aspx

I've already sent off a couple of emails asking some of the uncommitteds to got for Obama.

I think McCain has lost a lot of his shine over the last 8 years, mostly because of the stuff he's had to do to remain the "next in line".  I'm still hoping for a clean Obama/ McCain fight where McCain "redeems" himself (gets clear and firm on what used to be the issues that made him seem like a good "uniter" and a man of principle. The kind that even Democrats would respect. )   A Clinton/McCain fight is guaranteed to be a lot of blood and mud.

Even if I don't agree with McCain's politics, in the 2000 primaries he seemed like a decent guy with a clear head and a nuanced approach to foreign policy. A man firm in his principles, and not bad principles either. A man willing and able to face his own shortcomings and remedy them. As far as Republican candidates go, he seemed like a guy the left could live with or reason with.

But that sort of changed. At least that's the impression I get from the media.  And that's too bad.

Before every election (in my country and yours, or any other) I always hope that the choice will be between inspiring, principled and intelligent men with the ability to look deep into the issues and find the best choices, even if it means choosing somebody else's solution. Choices that truly inspire their respective followers, separated only by what policies they believe to be best for the country.

Is it wrong of me to still hope that this is what will happen in the final rounds of this election?

Scott - I'm all for you voting your beliefs, and if he's too left for you, than you should vote McCain - but earlier on, I asked about one's ability to vote for someone "racist" and you replied that you couldn't vote for a racist, and that's the corner I was talking about.

But, in the end, it sounds like we're on the same page - this he-said, she-said stuff is just trivial - it's the politics that matter, and I respect your desire for a candidate who supports your beliefs, politically.

Kevin - that article is the BEST!  Barack Black Eagle - I love it!  Can you imagne...?  If he got elected and the native Americans were finally shown a little respect?  Wow...!!!!

Tom - Thanks!

Adam - the whole thing - video and text is found here.

At that point, Obama will be considered damaged goods and the Democrats will be preparing for 2012 where Obama won't even be considered.  Obama made a huge mistake running now.  Had he waited until he had more experience, he could have been a serious contender.  My guess is if he hadn't been a part of this, Clinton would have made him her running mate.  Then after 8 years as the VP, he would be more seasoned and ready for the Presidency.  After November 2008, he'll never have that chance in the future.

****************

SER: How would experience have helped Obama? He would have to have run as a completely different candidate. We are also assuming that experience is what will decide the election. I think this election will be a referendum on Bush and McCain is in deep crap by being as supportive of Bush and his policies as he has been. I mean, even Al Gore distanced himself more from Clinton when he ran in 2000 and McCain isn't even Bush's VP!

Many have argued that the Democratic primary is the real *general* election and that's why it was so hard fought -- the candidates knew that whoever won it would win the White House.

Carefull SER - don't fall into the trap of agreeing on the experience factor - remember - in terms of elected office - Obama has more experience to Hillary.

It's a buzz term that caught on, but it's best not to legitimize it by repeating it.

Keep this great American in your thoughts and prayers.

Ted Kennedy.

Obama won't win in a landslide, but he'll win handily. 

***

This will depend entirely on how many of the (give or take) 16 million voters who supported Clinton; Obama's supporters seem to just assume that they will follow like lemming anyone who has a D next to their name when it comes time to vote, but I'm skeptical. 

At this point the writing is on the wall for Clinton -- her chances of securing the nomination are slim-to-none, barring a major Obama catastrophe that causes super-delegates to swing their votes.  And yet Democrats in certain states continue voting for her in large sums, even when it's clear that it's futile.  It's hard for me to see this as anything other than a vote against Obama; how many of these voters are going to reconsider in the general election, and how many will be swayed by McCain or will simply forgo the election entirely?

"Keep this great American in your thoughts and prayers."

I'm sorry to hear about his tumor...and I do hope he beats this. But I'll never call Ted Kennedy a great American.