I'll be honest. I don't like John Roberts. I don't know him personally, but since he's been on CNN in the mornings, I've noticed a definite slant to the coverage and on more than one occasion, he has used Republican talking points as questions. He has an obvious disdain in his questions when interviewing Democrats, and an obvious admiration for most Republicans I've seen him interview. He has also bragged about riding motorcycles with White House aides.  I used to regularly watch CNN in the morning since I am admittedly a political junkie, and the fluff on the network shows after about 7:15 am just doesn't cut it. Lately it's been mostly C-Span for me since CNN has been so bad.

This morning, I was clicking around getting ready for work and came across an interview with Richard Holbrooke and John Roberts.

The new media meme seems to be that Obama has shifted to the center on many issues like Iraq, guns, abortion, the death penalty, but anyone who has been paying attention knows this isn't true. (we'll leave FISA out of this for now)
His position on Iraq is the same as it was in 2007.He has always said we have to be as careful getting out as we were reckless going in.  He will order withdrawal of troops coupled with a surge in diplomacy to help Iraqis take control of their own contry. The goal is to have troops out in 16 months. The timeline is based on expert advice of how quickly troops can leave safely. If a situation arises on the ground where troops have to make adjustments for safety, then they will re-assess.

We have all heard  by now of the shuffling of campaign staff at John McCain's headquarters.

via TPM we learn that the shuffling is to make room for some of Rove's proteges.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/...

I just received this email from the DCCC from Speaker Pelosi:

Dear , I hope you had a chance to read the email that was sent from Senator Barack Obama. His message is critical for all of us who want to take our country in a New Direction. As Speaker, I can tell you that we need a Democrat in the White House and a strong Democratic majority in Congress to drive change forward. Our June 30th FEC deadline is vital to our success in November. All eyes will be on Democrats' fundraising totals as a measure of our party's unity and strength. I ask that you please help to show our commitment to across-the-board victories this November by making a contribution of $35, $50 or more at www.dccc.org/unitedforchange today.

Thank you for your support.

Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the House

My reply follows:

I originally posted this diary right after the Iowa Caucus. I think My analysis still holds. After months of professional punditry and having the voters being sliced and diced into every conceivable voting block, Obama won ultimately because his message is believable and resonated with people longing to change the way politics works in this country.

On the other side is my original fom January and an updated analysis of where I think we are today.

I know there is already a diary on this, but I felt the need to vent. George Bush has crossed the final line of civil discourse. To attack the potential next President while overseas speaking to another government is dispicable.

Some seem to believe we should negotiate with terrorists and radicals, as if some ingenious argument will persuade them they have been wrong all along," said Bush, in what White House aides privately acknowledged was a reference to calls by Obama and other Democrats for the U.S. president to sit down for talks with leaders like Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

"We have heard this foolish delusion before," Bush said in remarks to the Israeli Knesset. "As Nazi tanks crossed into Poland in 1939, an American Senator declared: 'Lord, if only I could have talked to Hitler, all of this might have been avoided.' We have an obligation to call this what it is — the false comfort of appeasement, which has been repeatedly discredited by history."

I'm sure the Obama campaign will come up with an appropriate response. I'm also sure that it will be much more measured and diplomatic than mine.I think perhaps this has sent my Bush Derangement syndrome over the edge.

A friend of mine e-mailed me a copy of Pat Buchanan's racist screed from March 21ST today. I'm not sure if it is going around via email or she just thought I should read it. My first response was this:

There are no words strong enough to show how offensive Pat Buchanan is. His facts are wrong , his rhetoric fit for the KKK. Hopefully this will put the end to his being all over TV spewing his racist rants. He has a right to free speech, but we also have a resposibility to call it what it is. Pat Buchanan chooses to be part of the problem rather than part of the solution. Hopefully the majority of Americans will choose to be part of the solution

.

I moved to Georgia in 1993. One thing I noticed after moving here was that the legislature was only in session for 3 months of the year. I thought this was strange. (coming from Ma, where they stay in session all year)Then I started to read about some of the bills they would try to pass, and I am truly grateful they are only in session for three months.

Our first Republican governor in 100 years decided the best way to prepare the state for the drought was to go to the capitol steps and pray for rain. That didn't work.(who could've guessed?)

I know this has been diaried, but I am hoping that Senator Reid's staff is monitoring this site. I sent this letter today, but he only responds to constituents from Nevada. As majority leader, I am one of your constituents, and as a Democrat with two republican senators who could care less what I think, you are really my only voice in the Senate.

Last summer I went to the DFA training in Atlanta. The first thing they told us is that "We aren't normal" It was very important to understand that up front before learning how to run a campaign, because MOST people don't think like us. I think that message applies to the group of people on this site. We are passionate about politics. We love our country and want to solve the many problems we face as a nation. We believe passionately that "Our Candidate " Has the answers. We are activists.

Most people  are not.  

I've been watching the race very closely and have some thoughts about Why Obama can and will win.

Watching the reports after Iowa  convinced me. They are saying that Hillary has to change her message to  either attack Obama or be more likeable. Edwards has a strong message that resonates in some parts of the country, but not others.
 On the Republican side, Huckabee has to talk about different things in NH than he did in Iowa. McCain is popular in independent NH, but not popular with the Republican Base. Mitt Romney says all the right things but nobody believes him.

Not sure if anyone else saw this yet but here's a link to the article in the AJC:

http://www.ajc.com/...

The governor is going to Pray for rain.

With no rain in sight, Gov. Sonny Perdue is looking for a little spiritual help to get North Georgia out of its drought.

Perdue's office has begun sending out invitations to a prayer service for rain at the Capitol next week.

Don't you all feel so much better now? I know I do since I live here.