Mike thanks did you get chills watching Obama's speech last night? I know I sure did.

I can only imagine the way I felt last night is the same as a bulls fan got when they watched Michael Jordan play ball. There is just something special about our guy!

I respect Mr McCain a great deal, I believe his service to this country is to be commended, but he voted with Bush 98% of the time and that I do not respect.

Let's not confuse disagreement with disrespect.  As I pointed out up thread I think the greatest sins of the Bush administration have been executive level decisions -- not legislative.

That strikes me as hollow support, then, but thats my read.

It's an "After School Special" -- maybe you remember the plot: the big blowhard bully becomes friends with the downtrodden unpopular kid when they're away at camp.  When school starts in the fall, the blowhard says, "We're really friends.  I just can't talk to you in front of these other people."

Aw, Mike! You know you're allright for a godless, pinko commie!

LOL

The saddest thing to me?

All these pages of the thread since I last said it.  All the months the various candidates have been out there.  Obama essentially cinching the Democratic nomination....

And he's still only getting my vote because he's not McCain.

He still hasn't convinced me that he's "my candidate."  For that matter, Hillary never convinced me she is/was "my candidate."  McCain has convinced me that he's not "my candidate."

Is it still too late to do what I wished we could waaaay back in the early days of the thread, and plop Hillary & Obama into a blender to come up with a Hilbama?  (And, no...the so-called "Dream Ticket" isn't quite the same thing.)

Todd, I feel one of the most important roles as president, is basically the face and voice of this country.  Just after Obama getting the nomination, our country is now looked on, as more positive around the world. Listen to his speeches on youtube, it is that tone and hope that will be representing us in the world if he is elected.

Have you watched the biography channels feature on Obama? I was torn between Hillary and Obama before seeing that. He had a chance to become a very well paid lawyer, but he chose to make his community better.  He voted against going into Iraq, even though it was looked on as "Un-American" if you did. He stood up for his beliefs and what was right. If you get a chance to watch it, do, I think it will help you to know more about who Obama is.

Todd - I get where you're coming from - have you read his books?  It's hard to outline your plans and experience and history in a stump speach - but his first book lays out his history, and his second lays out his goals, plans and agendas - that, combined with examinging his voting record (it's on the Senate website - as well as his Ill state votes, on their website) - I think he's pretty inspiring once you get past the media-image of him as some newbie who talks good.

And, yes, Jodi, I was pretty moved by the speach!

He never voted on the issue of invading Iraq as he wasn't a Senator at the time.

Christopher you are right and here is what I should have said:

As a candidate for the United States Senate in 2002, Obama put his political career on the line to oppose going to war in Iraq, and warned of “an occupation of undetermined length, with undetermined costs, and undetermined consequences.” Obama has been a consistent, principled and vocal opponent of the war in Iraq.

Mike you are 100% right about reading his books, that is an excellent start to learning more about who he is.

He's not that consistant. In 2004 he said the US had an absolute obligation to remain in Iraq long enough to make it a success.