Mr. Obama,

You have my vote, my hope, my money (and you'll get some more), and my respect.

When you become president, please show us that you are a decent man, do your best, and don't forget us.

Many of us realize that it will be a thankless task, possibly near impossible, to undo much of the damage that has befallen our country, but we will know if you are in earnest, even if you fail.

If you even try, really try, I will always have your back, and I will be forever grateful.

Sincerely,

The Free Agent

About a week ago, I stopped being mad at Obama over FISA and his faith-based foray, and over his comments about the Supreme Court ruling striking down the DC gun ban -- figuring he was putting himself in a stronger political position for the fall.  You, know protecting himself against some of the attack ads that would have otherwise played had he taken other positions.

What is it about democrats? Is our tent too big? When we pull in the bluest of blue dogs, libertarian liberals, progressive liberals, and all other persuasions and combinations we seem to spend more time antagonizing each other than we do electing the people who best represent our view. Why.
Does anyone out there know of any one politician who exactly represents their view? I don't, I have much in common with most of the candidates in the democratic primary but not a single one was my perfect candidate. We compromise and try to elect the one who is closest to our view, or who we think might be the best candidate, or might have the biggest coattails. So why do we expect our candidate to do exactly what we, individually, think he should? I knew he wasn't me, I compromised.

For the past 2 or 3 weeks I have seen multiple diaries ripping into  Obama's because is said that the newly revised FISA bill is one he could support.  

Many supporters decried his position and demanded that he hold firm that he would filibuster against any bill that included immunity for telecoms.

Several diaries have ended saying that they would not vote for Obama if he supported the FISA bill or that they simply would withold their donation from his campaign like a treat to a poorly behaved child.

What I don't understand is all of the hysteria.

I was disappointed as well when Obama began to act like more of a centrist, but then I realized he was just being human.

...Or why Obama's stance on FISA makes me more willing to vote for/support him.

Don't get me wrong, I am in complete disagreement with Senator Obama on the FISA bill. I think it undermines the Constitution and allows some pretty dastardly practices to continue; I don't think the level of oversight is sufficient.

So, why am I more inclined and psyched about voting for Obama? Not because of the substance of his statements, but because of the way he is communicating them and what that says about his visions of a winning political coalition and an effective administration.

The Republicans can still win, McCain can still win, and the destructive deadly policies of this Bush Administration can still continue.

Think of this, as you call for your donations back, as you attack Senator Obama, rightfully or not, and relegate him to the "Boy Junior Senator from Illinois."

The results of November are not set in stone. There is still a long fight, a long battle left, if we are to take back even a part of Washington for the people who have dedicated themselves to this movement and who have invested so much of their time, their efforts, and their dwindling finances in a common effort to elect a man the next President of the United States. A man, who not 200 hundred years ago would have been brought to this country as a slave bound in shackles and mastered into servitude, a man brave enough to speak to our hopes and dreams for this country, a man who has demonstrated his political abilities, in only a short time, in the halls of national government, a man, who despite the racial divides that still exist in this country, who despite the political divides that tear us apart, who despite the dangers that threaten our country, continues to send forth a message of peace in our time.

 Why is a bill attacking California’s beloved stem cell program so close to being passed?

In addition to being part of Republican Senator George Runner’s perpetual attack on embryonic stem cell research, the bill is a farewell gift to Democrat Senator Sheila Kuehl...

Suddenly I am besieged with questions from family and friends.  What is happening to Obama?  Why is he doing this and that and that?  Did I read the article in The Nation, Surveillance Protest Group Tops Obama Website .  Then today's Huffington Post Obama's Faith-Based Plan by Jim Wallis.  Well folks, I'm more than a bit confused.  maybe you can help me understand?  Look below and I'll explain myself and also tell you what I think is happening.  Then I hope you will try to straighten me out.

I have made comments before about a tendency on this site to underestimate Barack Obama.  He has given us hints about his leadership style by telling us about the things he loves.

One of those things is basketball.  

If you are captain of the basketball team you learn many things about leadership that are transferable to leadership in other areas.  Such as:
a.  Pass the damn ball, not every basket has to be made by you.
b.  Fake 'em out...make them think you are going this way and go that.
c.  Strategize and read the floor.
d.  Let every body "get some"
e.  Encourage and motivate.
f.  Talk s**t, love to win and be graceful if you lose.
g.  Win as a team, not as a SUPERSTAR.

By Jwilkes from Eyes on Obama:

The reappearance of Hillary brings an important question, one that should be sorted out in the weeks to come: what about Bill? How Clinton fulfills his pledge to support the Democratic nominee remains a mystery. Essentially, there are three potential forms his assistance can take.

Montana has been in the national spotlight many times recently.  First the election of Jon Tester who (along with Jim Webb) swayed the United States Senate, then this year because of the June 3rd Presidential Primary.  With these two Democratic victories in the big sky state, the question remains, does Montana truly remain a red state, or are some cracks forming through which new candidates might get an opportunity to make change?

It’s been an interesting week around here on Kos with this whole FISA dust-up. First, the news came out that the House was voting on a compromise, then two days later the heat kicked up when the House DID get prepare to and eventually pass the new FISA "compromise." I think just about everyone on Kos agrees the new FISA, and even the old FISA, aren’t great pieces of legislation (to put it mildly). When the news broke of the impending vote, Kos was split, with about half of the people wanting Obama to come out and lead against this new bill, and the other half telling the rest to calm down and have faith in Obama.

This is just a quicky, purely out of curiosity.

Figure I'll just catch whoever clicks the poll.  Totally unscientific, but interesting to me.

Thanks for playing!

Compatriots, we've come so far, but there's much to be done.
Barack wants us to keep our eyes on the prize and to stay focused, fired up and ready to go!

We've learned that Obama will staff every state.

We've learned that Elizabeth Edwards will join Obama on Healthcare.

We've learned that John McCain is indeed a heartless weasel.

But folks, even with all of the above, we've got to stay motivated with a glint in our eyes and a brave spirit. We've got to carry each other across the finish line. It is our responsibility and there ain't no stopp'n us now!

When Hillary concedes and endorses Obama for President what will the ABBGs* do? An opinion and commentary.

In replying to a comment over at my blog, I began to solidify my opposition to third party candidates at the national level.  I'd be interested to your thoughts on this subject.  I know  most of us are probably partisan Democrats, but does anyone have solid thoughts on the validity of third party candidates in a presidential election?  Is there an appropriate time to vote for them, and to what end?

Here's the text of the original comment, which came in response to my declaration that voting third party was "self-defeating," and which caused me to consider my thoughts on the issue:

Big Blue

You have bought into the two-party system. YOU are self-defeating by playing their game and not voting for the best candidate, even if they media and polls say they will not win. Are you going to allow the media dictate to us who is and is not electable? The game is to keep us divided at 50/50 so people with little integrity like yourself vote out of fear instead of conscious. This keeps the debate framed in a tiny box with no room for bold ideas.

Read my response below the fold...

The 1st Pander Bear-Mcbush Follies Chronicling the Downfall of "old floppy"

Was there ever a "straight talking maverick"?

How much was a myth some wanted to believe?

For those finding comfort in Mcbush, someone you think you know . . . The 2008 candidate, is not the "straight talker" of old!

We now have the Washington insider, Pander Bear Mcbush - flip-flopping, Old Floppy . . . Oh No!!

America understand, the "maverick" has left the building!

I'm sorry, we just can't afford you, Mcbush!

Let's make sure his White House journey is by appointment only!