Where is the realignment on the left where Obama is concerned? Most progressives and Democrats see little difference between Clinton and Obama. It all seems to be about likeability and personal style more than real policy differences. I don’t feel as though moderates and independents can really trust Democrats to include their concerns in the national debate. Just ask Joe Liberman.

McCain has moved to the center on torture, immigration, global-warming, and wasteful government spending.

I do take seriously the possibility that incremental changes can get us there too, and the fact that Bill couldn’t do it last time doesn’t mean we’re forever tied to history. I happen to think it’s a riskier strategy, though.

IMHO, what we need is a JFK (Obama) BEFORE a LBJ (Clinton). Clinton wasn’t wrong to point out that it was LBJ who got so much legislation passed. But she failed to acknowledge that Nixon also passed a lot of progressive laws — because MLK, JFK, and RFK all reset American politics in a path that LBJ pounded home and Nixon couldn’t diverge from (just as Clinton couldn’t shed the Reagan legacy).

In the bigger picture I think we’re due for a realignment of what “left” and “right” means. I suspect if Obama is chosen many libertarians may flee his more communitarian mindset, but that many Christians — non-rabid Huckabee supporters — will find his spiritual voice and call for community (rather than individualism) inspiring. But that analysis is driven as much by hope as facts… we’ll see if/when it comes to pass.

That would go along way with moderates and Catholic dems too.

thanks for mentioning the black-on-black ‘traitor’ meme, i’ve seen some interesting discussions about that and i’m glad most of them are out in the open. same re: women and hillary. it’s good we can disagree, that’s a sign of freedom.

i found “anita’s” comments refreshing. not that i exect any of the front runners to “help the poor,” but it’s an important question and i think all obama supporters should ask for specifics from him. he wrote in Foreign Policy magazine that he wants to increase the military budget and size, but i can’t help but wonder in this age of record (bush made) debt, ‘where will that money come from? social programs that help the poor?’ i hope he proves me wrong and does the right thing.

I did some canvassing in West Harlem before Super Tuesday and I ran into a few rude supporters of the other candidates. For the most part it was a great experience though…

I commend you for traveling to canvas other areas! Can’t wait to hear more

On your last point from your “family caucus”: so why do you (and anyone else who wants wo weigh in) think black people who aren’t for/criticize Obama are considered traitors?

So may of my family are “Reagan Democrats.” Catholic, working-class, white men like my grandad and dad. They said Reagan was so effective as a communicator because he had a set of core beliefs (smaller government,lower taxes, belief and confidence in each individual citizen, strong national defense) around which he could wrap his optimistic and inspirational words. But, they say, Obama is too liberal.

I find Obama a compelling political figure and someone with whom I would like to find common cause. I have been looking to many blogs for a ‘moderate’ case for Obama. I can’t find one. One commenter on this site told me that if I couldn’t reconcile myself to Obama it was because I didn’t want to. Not true. But asking me to fully accept his left-leaning positions without movement towards the positions of the “Great American Middle” reminds me of a quote by Bart Simpson:
“Christmas is a time when people of all religions come together to celebrate the birth of Christ.”

Right now, Obama is postioned to the very far left. If he is hoping to move the country toward a more progressive agenda, then own up to it…but he is talking about building a ‘working majority’ in this country. The majority of Americans are not far left.

If Obama wins the nomination, he will lose many Reagan Democrats (like my parents) and independents (like myself and my husband)to McCain, who are more likely to prefer bread and butter to cotton candy.

Any thoughts?