I agree with Rendell. For once, Democratic voters feel like they have a choice. It's pretty invigorating.

Record voter turnout in state after state is a GOOD thing, so matter what the old-school media and party controllers say.

Sent by Ruby Sinreich | 3:31 PM ET | 03-13-2008

I agree as well. Conventional wisdom: media, pundits, bloggers, blogger groupies etc. have been wrong so often that anything could happen. One could even hope for a president with some brains, who could inspire enough people to have a governing coalition.

Sent by Mike Fleissner | 5:40 PM ET | 03-13-2008

About all the Democratic brouhaha has done has made complacent Republicans realize just how screwed up the Democrats really are.

Not only has the racial/sexist war between Barack and Hillary awakened Republicans, many Democrats (like myself) are growing increasingly disenchanted with the Democratic Party's inept and chaotic approach to attempting to run a steady ship.

Those who think that voters find the Democratic Party's chaos appealing are living in La-La Land. People with common sense know that business can not be accomplished by the Guillotine method of the Democratic Party's mob rule.

But, Governor Rendell is speaking what many Democrats are thinking: Barack Obama is far too inexperienced for the position in the White House.

We see the Michael Moore Liberal Utopian crowd left over from 2004 trying to make a comeback. We know that is a lost cause. So, Democrats are looking to either vote for Hillary in November, or cross party lines to John McCain.

The thought of voting for Barack Obama is laughable. Unless you are one of the Michael Moore Liberal Utopians who lost in 2004.

fred camorra call

Sent by fred camorra call | 7:48 PM ET | 03-13-2008

Fred, there comes a point when these distortions of facts regarding Sen. Obama's experience seem to reflect a pattern that is reminiscent of other deceptive strategies and practices being used by the Clinton camp.

Senator Obama and Senator Clinton clearly both have experience.
There is no question that both have contributed good things to government.
That is not the issue.
The critical issues have to do with the ability to LEAD, the ability to exercise GOOD JUDGEMENT, the ability to galvanize and UNIFY people from varying view points who are WILLING AND MOTIVATED TO WORK WITH A PRESIDENT WHO DEMONSTRATES RESPECT FOR ALL PEOPLE AND WHO IS CAPABLE OF UNITING GROUPS OF PEOPLE.

The disrespectful remarks made not only by Sen. Clinton reveal a part to her nature that I think has shocked the nation. There are so many men I've spoken with who are stunned by what Sen. Clinton has modeled. I've heard the same being said by women - not by race, but in general. People are shocked by what they see being demonstrated. And clearly, the manner in which these candidates model their campaigns is indeed a reflection of their beliefs, practices and values concerning HOW they would govern.
To be honest, in the past I would have voted for Sen. Clinton had she been the Democratic nominee ( before Sen. Obama took the lead.) But now, after seeing the troubling conduct she has demonstrated as has her staff and surrogates, I actually fear her influence in Washington. I think it is telling that senators and former congressional leaders as well as numerous government officials from the military have all repeated the same concerns regarding the chaotic, unbalanced, distortions of truth and facts that are repeatedly being demonstrated by the Clinton campaign.
How can such conduct model leadership?
It's become frightening in my opinion as has the discourse in this campaign.
I very much disagree with Gov. Rendell, and if you check conditions regarding how African Americans are feeling in Pennsylvania, where the governor has made perhaps one of the most inflammatory remarks regarding African Americans, it causes me to wonder whether the experiences of disenfranchisement felt by the African American community might not in some regard be perceived as being condoned by the governor, when he makes the kind of remarks he has been on the record as making regarding the electability of African American people. I find his remarks very offensive. The fact that Sen. Clinton repeatedly seems to surround herself with people who are making these kinds of remarks is equally of concern to me regarding how genuine she is concerning civil rights and human rights.

The sad truth about what has now been clearly evidenced in conduct by the Clinton camp is that they divide, they polarize, they do not unify, in fact - they seem to alienate women ( white, Latino, Hispanic and black) - men ( white and black, Hispanic and Latino) as well as other ethnicities and groups of people.

Perhaps most revealing and troubling is the frightening notion of FACT: Senator Clinton is more than willing to VIOLATE an agreement she made regarding the Michigan and Florida Primaries - while promoting as "acceptable" a process that used only ONE NAME on the ballot in Michigan, which in my opinion echos practices of communism and a dictatorship - NOT A NATION THAT SUBSCRIBES TO DEMOCRACY!

While Gov. Rendell suggests something that in general would be perceived as healthy ( dialogue and discussion and debates) the fact is this: dialogue and discussion is the last thing in the world that is happening.

Instead, the truth as to what is taking place is that America is being split in half, torn into fragments of alienated groups, where hateful remarks are causing people to feel alienated, where large issues concerning the economy that in some instances are linked to racism are only causing more suffering and strife in communities, and this ultimate polarization is already being reflected not only in the remarks seen here on this blog, but throughout communities across the nation.

While I believe the record number of voters being drawn to the polls by Sen. Obama is truly astounding, and unprecedented, and that what he has done has indeed been a very good thing for democracy - the fact is that Gov. Rendell - if I am not mistaken, as the highest leader in his state, made remarks that are divisive and a disgrace because of what it models for his community, and because of what it suggests to his community in tone regarding human rights, civil rights, and democracy.

So on the one hand, debate and dialogue and discussion are wonderful but when there seems to be a parallel agenda going on where a leader ( the highest government position in his state) then makes remarks that basically condone the practices of racism (where a person is eliminated from consideration based on the color of their skin, and where a degrading disregard for democracy is foisted upon the public as being a matter of "what's on people's minds" - as though we should just accept Black people as inferior to whites ), I think that such conduct is a disgrace, that such conduct is the antithesis of democracy, and that such conduct is not only shameful and dishonest but it has the underlying tone of suggesting that if people are not "ready" for a "black president" - it's therefore, just a matter of "personal preference" and not - in truth - what it is: the CONDONING OF RACISM through casual remarks that are masked as being an issue of "readiness".

Readiness, Fred camorra call?
Readiness for the exercise of democracy?
Or readiness for everyone to be welcome to enjoy the full extent of civil and human rights?
In other words: human rights are OPTIONAL when it comes to granting them to Black people?
That's like going back to the days when it was not legal for Blacks to SIT DOWN on the bus, or drink from the same water fountain as whites.

While Rendell suggests that the events unfolding are good for democracy, you cannot parse out the parallel events that are also taking place that have the underlying tones that suggest Blacks are inferior, Blacks shouldn't be trusted, Blacks are second-class citizens, Blacks shouldn't be presidents because "some of my constiutents will have a problem with that" ( as Gov. Rendell stated) - if I'm not mistaken.

And THAT is supposed to be "good" for America? THAT is supposed to lead us "forward"?
THAT is who Hillary Clinton surrounds herself with?

I can no longer vote for Sen. Clinton if the Democratic party ends up usurping the will of the American people that has clearly been expressed in states won, delegates won, and overwhelming majority of votes won.

We need Senator Obama not because he's Black, but because of his character, his ability to unite, his astounding ability to model a profound ability to lead, a profound ability to demonstrate composure in the face of the most hateful, divisive conduct I have ever witnessed in a presidential race.

We need Sen. Obama because he has modeled conduct that not only can unify people from so many varying parties and beliefs, but because he can truly help this nation heal from the damage inflicted by the Clinton campaign.

Therefore, it is difficult to believe that Gov. Rendell's motives can be trusted only because of what he himself said concerning black people and electability in his state.

Shameful. Absolutely shameful.
I hope voters in his state are paying attention to his remarks.

America needs unity, leadership, good judgement, and healing.
Not more of what the Clinton campaign has modeled, but more of what the Obama campaign is modeling in their words and in their deeds.

Sent by Hope | 8:45 AM ET | 03-14-2008

The most experienced politician in 1860 was James Buchanon, a failure as president. One of the most inexperienced was Lincoln. Two of the most experienced public officials eight years ago were Cheney and Rumsfeld, who are absolute failures. I'll take my chances with relative inexperience

Sent by Mike Fleissner | 9:58 AM ET | 03-14-2008