Pauline, I also watched Wright’s speech. My reaction was so different from commentator comments that I wondered if I witnessed the same event. When I saw Wright on Bill Moyer, I felt he had been misrepresented in the sound bit snippets. He sounded reasonable, intelligent. He had been attacked. He felt he had been represented unfairly and he seemed to be trying to set the record straight. I was a bit surprised at his Obama is a politician comment. I thought the interview diffused and show that the sound bites were not fully representative of the man or his viewpoints. While I was entertained by his speech to the NAACP, it did have a bite. I agreed with his primary point that different is not defective. He has probably made many speeches to the NAACP over the years. He may even have been invited before the news clips saw the light of day. By the time he was interviewed by the Press Club, I believe that his appearances are not helping Barack Obama. Maybe Wright supports Hillary Clinton. I can’t see wither Obama or Clinton ending their campaign until after the Carolina and Illinois primary. I really hope one of them wins decisively.

When I see comments start out as this one from Michael Salling does: “Darling Mugsy, the question is whether clitton or osama should throw in the towel …” It makes me feel as if I’d rather not be associated with a thread. How much more overtly misogynistic could a play on a woman’s name be? “clitton”. How much more ridiculously bigoted could a play on Barack Obama’s name be? “osama”. It is embarrassing and disappointing that there are adults that actually believe that it is acceptable to “speak” or worse yet present an argument in such a manner and that others respond without protesting the lowly effort which would imply acceptance and approval.

I agree with Pauline and Corinne!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I really feel superdelegates are unconstitutional. How can a government of the people, by the people and for the people allow 500 some-odd insiders decide an election? Pledged delegates represent the will of the people. Superdelegates are the REAL elitists.

No, let everyone have their say at the primaries. This will help bring people in to the election process and may increase voter participation in November. I have mixed feelings with regards to the superdelegates. While in the purest sense the votes should decide the nomination, there is the electoral college to consider. The states the candidates can carry will decide the general election. Perhaps with a virtual tie superdelegates can determine who is more likely to win the general election. The election, this year, is too important to let our emotions overcome reality. As, we saw in the discussion on health care this election could really make a difference in people’s lives.

The entire nation is having a conversation over the Democratic primaries. We as a society have awakened over this. We are having discussions on topics that people have been afraid to talk about. We are focused on the issues - societal, governmental, political, global. America is being re-energized. I think it’s great. We as a nation will emerge better for this and the Democratic Party will suffer only if Dean forces the superdelegates to take a position.

I think both should remain in the contest until the convention. I remember the times when the convention was NOT a rubber stamp for the first few states. Every other state has become a moot point in the recent history and I am insulted that my vote has not counted for anything. This is the first year in decades where the election actually means something. Granted it began a lot earlier than I would have wished, the super delegates are a cruel joke on the voters and Florida and Michigan have been disinfranchized because they wanted a share of the spotlight that usually only shines on Iowa and New Hampshire. Thank goodness there is a rest of the country where everyone’s vote is courted this year. Wyoming, where I live, hasn’t counted in a Presidential election since they put JFK over the top in the convention—if I remember right. I say let it play out to fruition, at least we aren’t being bombarded by the same religious right conservative platitudes as in the recent past and there is real discussion of all the issues—the economy, health care costs, education, and what was the other thing … oh, yes, the stupid war.