I'm an Obama supporter, though I think any of the Democratic top three has the competence and intelligence to handle the job and would be a HUGE improvement in policy and principles above the current occupant.

I'm almost embarrassed to admit this, because I pride myself on being rational and leading with my head rather than my heart...but a big part of why I favor Obama of the three is because when I listen to him I don't feel cynical and detached anymore. He makes me care, and he makes me feel hopeful instead of just angry. That wouldn't be enough to sway me if I didn't think he was intelligent and competent, but I do. Basically, all three candidates please my head, so I'm going with the one who pleases my heart, too.

Jessica, if you are around, thanks for the baby clothes!

Oh, whew! I was starting to get really worried they'd been lost in transit.

A bunch of those were Ellie's first, weren't they? I love that so many of our Buffista babies will wear the same first clothes.

Obama's speeches make me think he's good at giving speeches. I can appreciate them, but they don't move me. (Which I think has a lot to do with the fact that listening to him makes me feel like I'm in a church, and as a nonbeliever I can't shake the feeling that he's just not talking to me on any level.)

I need to track down video or transcripts of the debates to watch.

Yeah...Obama could be Smash. Yeah, Edwards could be Saracen...we usually use both his names, too.

Wow, it's 61 fucking degrees out. WTF?

Well, as I said, I wouldn't be backing Obama if I thought he was all style and no substance. I think he's got both, and I've done more than just listen to his speeches--I've read both his books, for starters. It's just that his style happens to move me, and I like being excited about politics again.

Wow, it's 61 fucking degrees out. WTF?

cold snap?

I should read Obama's books. I think my mom has one. It would possibly give me some enthusiasm that he hasn't inspired in me to date. None of them make me excited about politics again, this may not be their fault. I'll no doubt end up working for the Dems in the fall no matter who they put up. They have called me a few times but I haven't made it to a meeting yet. Seems too early.

Maybe this has something to do with why I dislike Hilary so much. I do admit that I can be quite reactionary when it comes to women belittling men.

Susan, your take on Obama is much like mine. His stand on political issues is as close to Clinton's and Edwards' as makes no difference, and I think he's established himself as an intelligent and capable candidate in a tangible sense. It's the intangible hope-filled quality that makes me choose him—I think he'd be better at inspiring Americans to be better people than the other two, in marked counterpoint to how our current C in C has set a tone of willful ignorance, belligerence, and self-absorption.

I do admit that I can be quite reactionary when it comes to women belittling men.

As am I. Ya know, some of my best friends are men! Seriously, I haven't seen that side of her. It might be that she remains on top of my list because my brother would hate her winning every bit as much as I hated GWB notwinning the last couple rounds.

I haven't noticed a sexist side to her. It would seem that she couldn't have thrived very well in her career if that were the case. I deal with mostly men in my career and I know it would be impossible to succeed if I didn't respect them.

Huh. That comment pings me in the exact opposite direction - it sounds like the same old misogynist bullshit that's for some reason acceptable when it's about Hillary Clinton. ("I don't hate strong women! Just women like Hillary Clinton. And my wife agrees! I totally have a wife, which proves I'm not a chauvinist asshat!")

Sorry. Issues.