Where is the “center?” Is it between left and right? Or is it between right and wrong? Because if there’s one thing that I know for sure…the center of right and wrong is always going to be WRONG. Right is Right yall. Freedom is right. Slavery is wrong. So let’s not be slaves, let’s be FREE…Can I get uh Amen somebody???

When the anonymous commenter said, “2 Trillion Tax Increase,” that revealed that this person is more concerned with political theatrics than reasoned thinking…Hillary threw that same “line” at Obama about 20 debates ago…I agree with Ronnie–it’s not worthy of consideration.

Hardly. Bi-partisanship and inclusiveness require an acknowledgement of and an appreciation for opinions and views on both sides of the issue at hand. There is not requirement for adherence to some mythical “center”. Either a liberal can understand, appreciate, and conceded the position of a conservative, or he can’t. And vice versa.

If you’re a conservative, then good for you. But once again, it underscores an ignorance and naivete that many Obama supporters subscribe to the notion that liberal = anything other than good and righteous. And if there are conservatives who can’t quite “reconcile” their beliefs with Obama’s, they obviously don’t want to. Otherwise they wouldn’t try in the first place. He’s not a Republican nor is he a conservative. Either a fool or a shill would expect otherwise.

I am not commenting to ‘impress.’ I am not looking for kudos from this forum. And as for being ‘not too bright’, and not truly ‘post-racial’, I would like to move beyond cynicism, skepticism and deflection.

If the term ’socialist’ was left off my comments(and accepting your definition of the word) how does a conservative reconcile oneself with Obama’s policies? I cannot believe that all blacks are 100% behind the positions he has taken. Are there more conservative Obama supporters who can tell me why they are willing to go along with these policies? Conventional wisdom dictates that candidates must move to the center to win in November. Do you think this is true? Will Obama move to create “Obama Conservatives”? Will he address the concerns of many conservative blacks, who have dared not break ranks with the Democrat party that fosters dependence, collectivism and envy?

Like the above anonymous commenter, I am looking forward to a politics of bi-partianship and inclusiveness. How will a President Obama move us towards the goals he so eloquently aspires to?

For this reason, I feel the need to apologize to those who live in the “fly-over” states and in the South. I think in the leftist community we have written people off too easily. We think we know what is best and are often too rigid to believe there may be another way to solve problems. The leftist movement as a whole has been bogged down with bitterness and disappointments from the failures in the last 30 years. People feel they’re ideals and noble efforts have been cruelly pushed aside by the radical right. I believe this is true. But many have chosen to use Hillary as a symbol not only for the advancement of women, but to advance their way of lashing out against the Republicans that have belittled their causes and struggles. And because the people in the Midwest and South who haven’t been entrenched with this bitterness have been more willing to let a Black man lead them into a new path for this country.

It’s a strange, twisted paradox we are now living in. It seems as though the traditional left and right are more comfortable using the “us” versus “them” mentality, while everyone else just want a better life and don’t care how it’s done. They just want it done. Yes, I’m a leftist and always will be. That doesn’t mean I’m not willing to bend a little if it means this country will move in a better direction. Barack Obama is not the perfect candidate. No one is. Yet, he is the perfect candidate for this time in history. The back and forth, “us” versus “them” is not working anymore. The “enlightened” coasts really need to try and get over themselves and start paying attention to the rest of the country. This week’s Time Magazine has it right. The Democratic Party is fighting for its soul. Which one will win out? The politics of the 20th Century (identity politics and partisanship) or the politics of the 21st Century (bi-partisanship and inclusiveness)? I truly hope it’s the latter.

Any more than I’m impressed by a chronic spousal abuser declaring a new “post-battery” day.

A word of advice: Black folk have been accused of being “socialists” ever since we audaciously stood up and demanded our constitutional and democratic rights as Americans. As such, the underlying intent of the word is wasted on us. We didn’t run from Dr. King or Medgar Evers — or the hundreds of other prominent Black folk who advocated for our rights — when they were accused of being socialists. We aren’t about to start running now.

Your life story is quaint, but coming into a predominantly Black forum and playing the “socialist” card is hardly impressive. And not too bright.

As a very young girl, I remember my mother weeping in front of the TV for JFK. I saw my grandmother cry when my uncle was drafted into the Vietnam War. I saw the anger and cynicism of my parents after Watergate. I voted in my first presidential election for Ronald Reagan. More recently, I voted to send Barak Obama to the senate after the Illinois Republican party imploded under its corrupt governor.

I agree that Obama is a talented, charismatic, likeable man. His personal story is the “American Story.” His speeches are soaring with inspiring words of ‘hope’ and ‘unity.’ We all want to come together, but at what cost?

Precipitous withdrawl from Iraq? 2 trillion dollar tax increase? Pandering to latinos on illegal immigration? Movement toward socialist domestic policy that increases our dependence on the federal government and limits our choices and freedom?

I am not so enthralled with Obama and his lofty rhetoric or historic achievement as to ignore his liberal policies.

I love your blog. Can we all be truly ‘post-racial’ and debate the substance of an Obama candidacy?

So, if Barack Obama wins the nomination; he can inspire more people to vote for progressive senate candidates and we could very well see a 60 vote majority. Then that gives him the ability to make things happen in large amounts.

I’m not too big on the “UNITED” thing, but as long as the Neo-cons or McCain are out of power, the better.

What does “post-racial” mean? It means “beyond race.” It means elevating the original constructs upon which this country was formed–the key construct being that “All men [and women] are created equal,” to its highest peak…the peak of REALITY…neither a fantasy nor a pipe dream.

Mitt Romney. Presidential candidate, or time-traveling android?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zz2xwTNTUNU&feature=user

The Romneybot looks like what our future robot overlords imagine we humans want in a president after researching hours of “The West Wing.”

Is that to suggest that Obama isn’t good enough for the Clinton Voters, but Clinton is automatically good enough?

It would be funny if it wasnt so annoying.

we need to hear more of these stories.

Thankfully he’s not wolf in sheep’s clothing like Reagan and while I disagree with him on some policy issues I understand that for this country to get through the coming hard times and make REAL change than you need someone that inspires folk to better than what they have been and what they think they can be.

Barack Obama does that and I’m estatic that middle America gets it.