Obama clearly won, though he didn’t do it with a lot of FLASH and PITHY TALKING POINTS FOR PEOPLE W/ADD, which have become the hallmarks of the “winner” to many. McCain looked terrible — he kept stumbling over his words and gave the appearance that he was literally choked with rage at Obama at times and could not get his words out. And what’s this McCain is saying about class warfare? Someone with 7 houses actually feels that a call for higher taxes on the upper 5% income bracket constitutes a declaration of class warfare? McCain’s desire for a war to win (so that he can erase the failure to win in Vietman) is leading to absurdity! He wants to declare a class war that he will win if elected! The man is losing it!

Marjorie — As you’ve said you’ve lived in the Northeast, it is of no consequence that you will vote for McCain and White Trash Palin. All the N.E. States are solidly for Obama, giving all their electoral votes to him. So in the final analysis, it will be as if you never voted at all.

Marjorie — Glad you acknowledge how inappropriate such comments are.

Hi CO — I agree, we don’t know what goes on behind closed doors, or what is in a person’s heart. As I get older, though, the more I realize that people do change. Maybe not everyone, but almost everyone because that is part of the life process. And I think it is better to err on the side of compassion. BTW: I love your avatar: is that a daughter, or you as a little girl? To me, she looks like every little girl, before she would know of things like terrorists, etc.

Hey Kim — If Bill Ayers presented ANY terrorist threat at any time in recent memory, the Bush Administration would have wisked him away during the night, under the Patriot Act or some other claim of “authority,” held him in an illegal prison, and Dick Cheney would have personally supervised his waterboarding! Well, maybe the last statement is an exaggeration, but FACE IT! Bush/Cheney are not letting “domestic terrorists” walk around Hyde Park!

We should complain to the RNC and to the McCain campaign regarding Palin/McCain’s hate-baiting. Here is the contact info: Contact the Republican Nat’l Comm through the office of the Chair, Mike Duncan at 202-863-8700, or chairman@gop.com. Or contact the office of co-chair Jo Ann Davidson at info@gop.com, or both. Contact the McCain/Palin campaign at 703-418-2008, or e-mail it at info@johnmccain.com. It also has a “Contact Us” page to submit comments on its website, www.johnmccain.com, and a blog, of course, where you can rant to your heart’s content!

When did me land on the Planet Bizarro?

Lady Gator — A fair reading of Frank’s comment shows he does not suggest that ALL those who attended the McCain/Palin rallies in Florida are “White Supremists,” and no one would take him seriously if he said that. It does not help the debate to twist his comments in that way. I think it is clear that Frank meant that Palin’s comments (e.g., “He is not one of us”) appeal to the white supremacist mindset. I also think the Secret Service is properly concerned. Furthermore, when people yell things like “Kill him” at Palin rallies, and Palin continues her fear-mongering, hate-spewing rhetoric against Obama, it is RIGHT To be angry!!!! This is APPROPRIATE anger! If you are not angry at that kind of campaign strategy and rhetoric, why not? BTW — The “Kill him” comment led to copycat comments, such as “Off with his head” at another McCain/Palin rally. Again, no attempt by the “Honorable” McCain to disapprove of such language. If you don’t speak out against such rhetoric, perhaps you harbor some unspoken approval of such sentiments?

CO — I’m sure that a lot of people are like me — they “tune out” a portion of the service, just as we all tune out large portions of life every day. Please don’t give me a lecture that this is not ideal church-going behavior. We are talking about what is HUMAN. Frankly, none of us knows what is the truth. But at some point we make a choice to believe the best in a person, or the worst. Now, as I read your prior comments, you seem to have made a choice to believe the worst in people. I base that on your comments that you can forgive, but you cannot ever forget because “you never know what goes on behind closed doors.” To cite one of your examples, you do not believe that people like Jane Fonda, are sincere when they say that they regret incidents in their past and that they are changed. IMO, the problem with that is not with Ms. Fonda, but in those who stand in judgment of her. We can either choose to believe her, and accept that she has changed, or we can CHOOSE to withhold true forgiveness, and hold her past conduct against her forever. That seems to be what you have chosen to do. Please correct me if I misunderstood you.

Much Happiness, CO!

Out of line, Marjorie.

Marjorie — “f p, … Have you ever succeeded in anything that amounts to being governor of a state?” I guess you think that Frank can’t criticize Palin’s English, or McCain because he has never been elected Senator or governor. Well, Marjorie, based on your criteria, you better stop criticizing Obama, unlessyou hve been a United States Senator and a multi-term state senator.

Marjorie — Obama looked bored? I didn’t notice, but if he was listening to McCain, it would be hard not to be! Do you have a crush on Palin? Is she your choice for America’s Next Top Model? “Her skin is beautiful, she’s slim and trim …” Is she the next Lancome spokeswoman? Get a grip! What the hell does this have with becoming POTUS?

Hi Maizie — I agree that neither candidate offered much in substance that was new. What did surprise me was how “stiff” McCain looked — physically and otherwise, especially after all the hype that this was his venue! You are right — McCain looked OLd, Old, Old — My mom is 85 years old, and though she has never run for office, she has done a lot of public speaking and has a knack for it , and would have had that audience eating out of her hand!

My Alias — Re-reading your comment, I think I missed the most important point. You don’t even see that a man who would slip his penis into a woman’s hand on the subway is a SEXUAL PERVERT — and cannot responsibly be compared to a man who callx a woman “sweetie!” C’mon!!! The subway incident is not relevant to the discussion regarding Obama calling a journalist “sweetie” except in your head! If you cannot see the difference between these two incidents, I don’t need any expertise to see that you have lost all perspective in detecting the nuances in relationships between men and women.