Sorry Geoff I couldn't resist

Believe me I take no offense!  I hope for the same for my daughters! Well except the adopted part, I'd like to keep 'em!  

I'm just happy to see you posting again -- just because you are wrong on a great many issues doesn't mean I don't like ya!

What are your feelings on Biden?

"We've come a long way, baby, when the problem is that the candidate is a black guy who can't connect with the lower class!"

It's all an image thing. Remember the line about Bush being so popular because he's the kind of guy people would like to share a beer with? A white-knuckle recovering alcoholic and drug addict with a history (alleged at least) of drunk driving and other senseless drunken acts and he's the candidate people want to have a beer with?

Just look at the mess he made while sober.

And Obama elitist? Quite frankly I don't see it. His comments about religion and guns are straight-forward and to the point. It's not like he's patronizing them in public while secretly laughing at them. He publicly expressed what he saw as a challenge in terms of those voters, that they were vulnerable to superficial single issue republican campaigns while they really agreed with democratic policies on far more important issues.

Was he wrong? I've heard similar analysis a hundred times over not just about elections in the US, but other countries.

And since when is "elitist" in its broadest sense such a crime. The US political system was made to encourage the election of the intellectual, well educated  elite (which would be the only "elite" he'd seem to belong to).

But I dread the thought of him losing, because it will lead to endless claims that America is still a racist country, newspapers in NY and CA will run stories wondering 'why are red states are full of bigots?', and so on.

I think racism is pervasive in our country and not resticted to the red (or blue) states.  If Obama loses it is entirely probable that race is a factor, just as I think its possible his message is not resonating with the electorate.  It is also possible that race will be a factor should he win.  One of the reasons racism is pervasive is a noble one: our diversity.  It is because the US is a nation of many races that racism is so pervasive.  But that, and really an election, do not define our nation.  It is how we treat all people under the law.  At principle all americans, regardless of race, creed or gender are treated equally at law.  So yes, racism is pervasive, but I do not believe, regardless of this election, that the United States is a racist nation.  

I'm just happy to see you posting again -- just because you are wrong on a great many issues doesn't mean I don't like ya!

LOL, I couldn't help but post, I actually cried when Michelle spoke, as a woman I was so proud and to see a black woman was so amazing I finally saw the America I want for my kids.  

What are your feelings on Biden?

He was the guy I wanted, I was sad he didn't do better in his presidential bid. I think it is a really strong ticket now. He brings that "Average guy" to the ticket. I think it is so cool, he still rode the train to Washington. He seems to stay true to his roots. His policies are great too, he is a more "center" democrat.

Great place to see what he votes for, very simple to understand site:

http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/joe_biden.htm

 At one time a couple years ago when I was sick about how partisan politics was dividing this country, I thought a Biden/McCain ticket would be a good one.  

LOL, I couldn't help but post, I actually cried when Michelle spoke, as a woman I was so proud and to see a black woman was so amazing I finally saw the America I want for my kids.  

My wife is irked that Hillary is not the Veep.  She thinks its a slap in the face of women. 

I agree that there was a great deal of sexism that helped de-rail Hillary, but I think her being Hillary helped as much.  I don't understand how a strong Hillary supporter (assuming their support is based on substantive issues) could choose McCain over Barry. 

I am really undecided.  My biggest hangup on McCain is the social issues -- he's running too conservative on those issues for my taste.  On the other hand my check book fears what Obama's programs will cost me in tax dollars.  Also I don't like government run programs (which is great deal of what the Dems are offering).  Such programs are inherently wasteful.  I don't trust the government with money.  There is a reason whay you never hear a business say they are going to be run like a government!

I finally saw the America I want for my kids.  

I know what you meant Jodi, but c'mon! I know you love our country and I know how upset you've been by Dubya but think about how far we have come as a nation in 50 years!  As fucked up as our country is and can be I cannot imagine raising my kids anywhere else. 

I had previously posted a while ago:

I think Obama will need to have at a bare minimum, a 15% lead in all the polls to have a shot of beating McCain.

On the way to work this morning they were talking about how the polls may currently be skewed by people who are not supporting Obama, but don't want to appear to be racist.  When asked face to face or on the phone by a pollster, they say they are voting for Obama just so they don't appear to be racist.

I didn't realize there was actually a name for this and it's a known issue since 1982.  It's known as the Bradley Effect.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/02/the_bradle y_effect.html

So, I think race will definitely be a factor.

I know what you meant Jodi, but c'mon! I know you love our country and I know how upset you've been by Dubya but think about how far we have come as a nation in 50 years!  As fucked up as our country is and can be I cannot imagine raising my kids anywhere else.

You misunderstand what I am saying, I love this country and think it is a work in progress, and I am older than I am sure you are and I remember race riots, I remember when the thought of a black first lady was a pipe dream. We are a LONGGGGG way from being color blind, but we are a little closer. When I went to see Obama speak and I worked that event, there was an older black woman that looked to be in her 70's and I thought how wonderful that she lived to see this day. There was a little boy that was there and I got him up to the front and he was able to ask Obama a question, he too was black. I was blown away by the thought that Obama gave this young man the possibility that he too had no limitation on his dreams.

I want my children to not even think about race or gender being an issue for a man or woman to run as president. Obama gets me closer to that.  Is America a country I am proud of, not lately, but we will survive George Bush. In a way, I look at this country and how I feel about it, as I do my kids, sometimes (actually rarely, they are pretty great kids) they act up and don't make me very proud, but I always love them. 

Edited for spelling