Watching made one wonder why we didn’t do this long ago — and validated what is missing in MEDIA. Intelligence, savviness and QUALITY!

Eve: We are WORKING really hard on two fronts — during the Democratic Nomination process. Internally and the Republicans’ full-tilt active participation along with one of the Democratic Candidates. Very interesting. Hopefully, Democrats will see this for what it is…and, the Conservative Canadian Government will stay out of the Democratic Nominating process! :-) You can help there!

Suzanne, my pleasure. I smile at every accomplishment of Al Gore. Karma. He demonstrates that even as we come out of the dark abyss of the last 7 years, if one (or a Nation) is ready, willing and able to reconnect to its essential goodness and work hard — ANYTHING CAN BE DONE! Turn the page!

Al Gore represents our best and brightest, and he knows how to step down with GRACE for his Party and the Nation - at large. His post-2000 7 years validates his stature in the American pantheon and zeitgist. We are elevated by whatever he chooses to do — which should be the standard for picking the next President. We are fortunate he has chosen to continue to SERVE the American people as our ambassador-at-large for something truly important.

Happy Birthday, Liz!

There is too much at stake for our children on every level, to make excuses for Hillary’s LIES. 79 million boomers are rushing past the 60 year mark, ice is breaking off North Pole glaciers, we are in TWO wars not counting addressing the real culprits responsible for 9/11, Medicare and SS are underfunded, 44 million Americans lack health insurance, Wall Street and the deregulated banking industries require another bailout while homeowners they defrauded are losing their homes by the millions, oil is over $100/barrel… The Presidency is not an entitlement, nor do we believe in dynasties or third terms. A woman will rise worthy of the opportunity to SERVE who will not cut corners or damage the Party to which she belongs as an either her or nobody choice. After the 2000 Election cycle and the disgraceful aftermath, also built on ambush followed by years of BLATENT LIES, Americans need to turn the page. We don’t vote for saints. We should vote for LEADERSHIP. Bush has demonstrated HOW one wins is a predictor of HOW ONE GOVERNS. We do not have to compromise this year. There is an alternative to the Clintons and their non-existent Congressional coattails. Triangulation serves ONLY the Clintons, as we all learned after losing the Congress after half a century — in the 90s. Turn the page. Please.

It is never a good or convenient time to discuss race, and, for far too long the discussion has been the burden of African-Americans, whose experience has been unique and by its very nature, complex. Navigating and thriving in a dominant culture that devalues one is not easy for those in the dominant culture to understand. Barack Obama, and many Americans, has a foot in two worlds. Rather than get hysterical and parse his every word in reactionary fashion, the Nation’s progress demands a new covenant whereby the complexities of the dual lives so-called “minorities” live become understood by all. This should not be the burden of African-Americans alone, but of ALL Americans. Yes, it may be uncomfortable, but progress often is. It will take courage and a willingness to no longer be in denial. Collectively, “minorities” will make up more than half the American population by the year 2050. If not now, when? Certainly, Caucasian-Americans can muster the courage it takes to match the courage it has taken for African-Americans to make a life of dignity and rear hopeful children in the American culture — and invest in its promise with life, limb and love? A place to begin is not with more LIES that are unworthy of the great Nation America is. African-Americans have NOT been “lucky.” African-Americans have EARNED whatever they have received — and invested in the America we are, generationally, believing in the American promise when it didn’t always apply equally. That is REAL PATRIOTISM. Can Caucasian Americans match that courage without defaulting to a place of fear and angst? Barack Obama thinks ALL Americans are ready to move forward. Our children believe we are ready to move forward. The world is WAITING for us to move forward. It is time.

Correction: Consensus is an imperative as we navigate the future and our children need to take a larger role in their OWN identity as we boomers make our ascent into third age. Finally, the Clintons shouldn’t sell what the do not own. Barack is not their asset to trade with and/or barter as VP or anything else with unauthorized parties, the general public or world…as I just said we as voters are not as well. The Clintons do not speak FOR the Obamas…or the Bidens…or the Edwards. Hillary Clinton visited John Edwards at his home in NC and rightly does not discuss publicly the content of their conversations. On the other hand, w/out asking Barack Obama’s permission or even discussing with him (and Michelle) their intent to simultaneously publicly proffer him as their VP choice (while they are #2 w/fewer delegates, etc.) and diminishing his competency — is being repudiated by the Candidate himself and voters who support him. In the 21st Century, Barack Obama can and will speak for himself…as will the voters. He will also make his OWN choice for VP, if/when the time comes. He will not make that decision as part of a public, political game. He will make this decision in a careful, thoughtful and methodical manner. We are FOR America, not AGAINST anyone. Hilary Clinton (and Howard Wolfson) are not the SOLE ARBITERS of what the threshold is for “passing the Commander-in-Chief test.” Again, we are a Democracy. How strange Hillary would think SHE gets to make that determination and so many others, independent of us. Turn the page.

A decision for whom to vote is personal and I am NOT going to address other women in my comments, because we ALL get to make our own decisions for our own reasons, based upon our own life experiences and perspectives. We are not monolithic nor Stepford Wives — and I am not a Republican ideologue. I am a Democrat. That is the point Hillary and her supporters repeatedly miss, sadly. Taking those who disagree with Hillary on…personally…whether it is Barack, “Super-Delegates” and voters themselves…is specious. Ditto, the MOCKERY. We live in a Democracy, not a Dictatorship — though I suppose it would be easier if the majority of Democrats in the majority of States responded to Karl Rovian tactics and messaging. We don’t. I am entitled to my own opinions, voice and rationale even if it differs with others — in America, especially if it does. We do not all see the world through the prism of Hillary or her standards. She asked us to understand her very personal reasoning for remaining with Bill, and so we have, despite the fact many of us would have made other choices. We don’t judge her. That is a right we ALL deserve and that pertinent fact seems to escape Hillary and her supporters. Consequently, they attack those who have the termidity to disagree with them…personally. A more sensible approach would be to state one’s position/opinion independent of the simultaneously unattractive and defensive ATTACK. Attack mode for the entire Bush/Clinton/Bush eras is TIRESOME, DESTRUCTIVE and TOXIC to our American spirit. How one wins is as important as winning for the first time in a generation. We have EARNED the right to make choices based upon our own, new criteria without being judged or criticized by anyone. The Presidency and its powers are not an ENTITLEMENT. Hillary asks us to vote for her BECAUSE she is a woman. Barack does not make that request regarding his ethnicity. I appreciate his not doing so, having enough respect for me to make my own decisions and his willingness to EARN my vote without games, machinations or external pressures from ANY source. The ends no longer justify the means. Americans, circa 2008, no longer have to COMPROMISE our values for a Democrat to retake The White House…unless the scorched Earth, by any means possible, ME or else…strategy continues to be pursued by Hillary and her supporters. Again, HOW one wins matters. It is an indication of how one will MANAGE and LEAD. Leadership, as David McCullough said last week, is a valuable commodity and one our most successful President had in their arsenal and skillset. We know it when we see it, because leadership brings us together for the common good and common goals. Leadership is the opposite of divisiveness and/or INTOLERENCE. I am a Democrat and that is the opposite of INTOLERENCE and concensus. Turn the page.

There is a difference between running as what you are, in your own identity and skin…than running as a woman and/or African-American to DEFINE yourself and promote race/gender as the REASON to ask for a vote. The majority of Americans, thus far, have chosen to turn the page on identity and ideology politics and move FORWARD. Further, Americans and the world appreciate Mr. Obama remaining focused on what he stands for and demonstrated good judgement re Iraq, and management of his Campaign as the foundation rationale for giving him the chance he is asking for to effect fundamental CHANGE in how business is done in Washington. This is VERY difficult for an African-American, who can be continually undermined, diminished and possibily overturned by “Super-Delegates” because of his name or race and other totally subjective rationales. Since Hillary can ALSO be subjected to the same, it is more aggregious that SHE is running a Rovian campaign, that is also being mismanaged and not serving her well or her real strengths. Only lately has Hillary taken over her Campaign and “found her voice.” Barack is more comfortable with his strengths and liabilities, can admit mistakes because of this fact and, consequently, can run as what he is — unapologetically and comfortably. Until women can accept Hillary is NOT the superior candidate this round, has not run a quality Campaign — and evicerating a fellow Democrat who may have to carry the Nomination against Republicans is unacceptable, breaking all RULES of a mature and responsible Candidate — the Democratic Party itself will be at RISK. We cannot prop Hillary up at this moment in time. She is NOT Bill. The Nation has serious challenges and perhaps her First Lady bubble of 20 years, cumulatively, has insulated her too much and is actually a LIABILITY. Finally, what if Hillary is really a legislator and not an executive…after all? She has never chosen to become an executive independent of Bill in any capacity, when, she easily could have. A woman is rising through the ranks right now. Let’s not make a serious mistake that will prevent her rise because of voting for Hillary BECAUSE she is a woman, and not because of the very highest standards we can. We already made THAT mistake, unfortunately.