hmmmm! you think that we should agree to disagree and be civil? maybe even united? what an extraordinary concept.

i will take a piece of that pie, please! a big slice!

Even your own posting comes across as hypocritical. You start with the berating of a candidate, not your own, skewed to make your preference gleam and then you call for peace. Care to explain??

When has Obama's people mentioned the Clinton's marital problems? Honest question, I haven't heard anything about that.

As soon as the ridiculous cries of "Clinton cannot win!" stop. THE SAME THING IS TRUE FOR OBAMA, PEOPLE.

I think the more relevant thing is that, according to the analysis I've read several places, it's virtually impossible for Hillary to overtake Obama's lead in the delegate count.

But I'll agree people need to calm the f*** down already.

What is worse than the bickering between candidates?

The bickering at blogs.

It's just one big snowball. It starts with the campaigns themselves eager to get attention...any attention (no such thing as bad press).

Speaking of press, the media are eager to report anything - and the more salacious and attention grabbing the story is, the higher the volume.

Once the promotion has begun, blogs step in (has anyone glanced at AMERICAblog in the past month?) and there is instant hysteria.

The stories are either a barrage of anti-Clinton harangues (that complain about the awful things her camp says about Obama that I otherwise wouldn't have heard - thus helping her anti-O message get out) or they paint Obama as an unwitting victim of the MACHINE (like he isn't part of it in the first place).

Am I pro-clinton? Not necessarily. Am I pro-obama? Not necessarily.

Have I read one article in the MSM - read one blog post in the blogosphere - heard one speech/press release from either side that has encouraged me to pick one over the other?

No. But all of the hype has confirmed one thing for me: If the Democrats lose this election, they can't blame Nader or marriage equality or AlQuaeda...they will have own this defeat.

This election is theirs to lose. Is that what we are watching?

As a RWDB, let me say that about half of the US population finds the spectacle of the two Democratic contenders manouvering to backstab each other without appearing to do so endlessly amusing.

The trouble is, it removes the focus from the fact that the GOP's candidate is the "best" of a very, very, very BAD bunch indeed.

Yes, it's long past time that the US had a female president. Yes, it's long past time that the US had a president who wasn't white.

I had hopes for Condoleeza Rice once.

But when it comes to GLB or GLBT rights... well, I'm not holding my breath no matter who gets in.

I'd like Obama's integrity (if anyone who emerges from the cesspool of Chicago politics can be said to have a shred of that) with Clinton's foreign policy. The one she'll implement, not the one she says she will.

But remember, I'm a RWDB. If you think you Democrats have it bad, just look at who we have to support. Because the others varied from no-hopers to complete theocratic loons.

Now McCain implementing Obama's domestic policy and Clinton's foreign policy, that I could get enthused about. But it's time for a female or a black president. My only consolation is that while none of the three are good, none are so woeful as to be unacceptable to me. Huckabee now, there was someone who should never have gotten as far as he did.

A noble goal, Sara. Be sure to update us when Eric Stern agrees.

The following link is given not to perpetuate the ping pong but solely to answer the question above, "When has Obama's people mentioned the Clinton's marital problems?" because I subscribe to the maxim, "silence equals assent."

The gay author of the March 6th e-mail ["...Where was (Hillary) when Monica was having sex with Bill? Where...."] reproduced in its entirety at Politico.com resigned from the Obama campaign five days later.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0308/Obama_backer_Clinton_lies_and_stolen_election.html

On the lighter side :

Tom Toles :

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/opinions/cartoonsandvideos/toles_main.html

Pat Oliphant

http://www.uclick.com/client/nyt/po/

Thanks for responding in such a loving, community way to Sara's suggestion, Deacon. Not.

With Christians like you who needs lions?

Coming from one who is such a model of a "loving, community way" I will receive your words accordingly Michael.

Is it possible for you to make any reply to me without yet another dig at my faith ?

BE BLESSED MICHAEL !

I wish that the author of the call for civil, if not neutral, discourse had participated in that discourse as well.

The sad part? Not only is the LGBT community arguing over crumbs- and I'm talking little tiny crumbs offered by each candidate- while we bicker, McCain cheerfully gathers in the money, the dirt, and is smiling his way to the November election.

Is there any evidence for that at all? Obama and Clinton are still raising more individually than McCain is, and they're each getting more votes than any Republican did every primary, and they were in many of the primaries before McCain was the presumptive nominee. Democrats are doing fine while McCain tries to get any press because Obama and Clinton have stolen the spotlight.

As soon as Samatha Power calling Clinton a monster- oh, wait, it's almost all of the Obama campaign- stops saying that, I'll be as quiet as a mouse.

Did she make that comment more than once? She was forced to resign, she apologized, and Obama repudiated her. What are we asking for exactly?

I think this primary season has been nicer than ever, from both sides. With Geraldine Ferraro, Samantha Powers, Maxim Thorp all pushed to resign, I don't think we have much more to ask for, unless we actually want Obama and Clinton literally to start handing each other flowers regularly.

Your faith is not the problem, Deacon. It's that we've seen no evidence that you actually practice it. Though you could be a Cardinal in the Holy Obama Empire.

Bless you for providing such a wonderful illustration of my point , Brother Michael !

michael and charles, if you two don't play nice your going up to your rooms to do homework without supper and no television for the next three nights! puhleeeze.

alex, do you think barack is the kind of guy who would appreciate flowers from a lady friend? so many men just get embarassed.

If you can document where/when "Obama repudiated" Samantha Power, Alex, we'd appreciate it.

Of course we know he must have because he promised in January that, “If I hear my own supporters engaging in talk that I think is ungenerous or misleading or in some way is unfair, then I will speak out forcefully against them, and I hope the other campaigns take the same approach."

And, conversely, if he hasn't then isn't that the equivalent of his agreeing with Power that Sen. Clinton is "a monster...stooping to anything" and deceitful?

We could add the things Power said to the "New Statesman" last week about allegedly dirty donors to the Clinton campaign or the foreign policy advisor's "pay no attention to that promise of the man behind the curtain re withdrawals from Iraq" moment when responding to the question on the BBC program "Hard Talk," "So what the American public thinks is a commitment to get combat forces out in 16 months isn't a commitment is it?" Power said, "He will, of course, not rely on some plan that he’s crafted as a presidential candidate or a U.S. Senator." We could but we won't.

Matt, my whole point was that Obama's people are not going to convince me otherwise, and I'm not going to convince them otherwise.

I'm suggesting a laying down of the swords- all at the count of three...

I mean, I just had lunch with a strong Obama supporter, and I still love her. She's still a good friend.

Even though she's wrong.

And we mostly talked about how Public Education is the last thing on people's minds, but probably the first thing to cure so many of the ills in our society.

You want to make your point with pro obama statements, be my guest.

If you think WE have been overly blunt here, consider Keith Olbermann's VERY candid on air remarks last night :

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/12/olbermann-slams-clinton-i_n_91256.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/13/transcript-olbermann-ant_n_91330.html

I agree with Sara, but then I also believe in the easter bunny, santa claus and the tooth fairy too.

It has gotten to the point where both sides are in for the kill, bloodlust has taken over and the battle is joined to the death.

Meanwhile McCain is sitting on the sidelines, taking notes, keeping track so he can use some of the dirt against them come the fall. And of course he doesn't have to spend the money he is collecting on campaigning any more, it can all go to attacking the democratic canidate come the fall, who will hopefully be broke by then after fighting so hard for the nomination.

Yep, things look pretty good in McCainland right about now.

And we are not even fighting over crumbs, more like the promise of a molecule or two, that is if either canidate remembers after the election.

As an "Obamaton," (what a cheep name calling trick, But I'll take it with pride, Like I do Faggot, Queer , HOMO.......) I have one question regarding who's the stronger candidate. Which candidate does the extreme right want to win? (Here's a hint. Who did Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter endorse?)

PS Obama's face IS noticably "Blacker" in Hillary's ad. Oh and MSNBC measured the angles, and it appears his face was also stretched to make his nose more "African."

PSS Power was fired the day after her "Monster" statement. It took several days of ever building political pressure for Geraldine Ferraro to tender a resignation for implying "Obama only got to where he was 'cause he's a 'Black Man'."

PSSS I read liberal Obama supporting blogs at least daily, why is it that I only read about Bill's Blow Job in your article?

Personally I too am tired of the spinning from the candidate's supporters. Especially the spin from the Clinton supporters.

PSSSS If Clinton does win, I will evote for McCain. That's the way I punish the Democrats for backing a loser AND keep the evil concentrated in the Republican Party.

I wonder if the rules committee of the DNC wishes they hadn't scrapped winner take all primaries. This would have been over by now.So maybe if any of the powers that be read this they may reconsider this sharing of the delegates as this is what you get when it drags on to long.

at my lunch with my most favorite friend who is a obama supporter but not a jerk like some, she said, do we let the the rule breakers decide this election?

as a parent... I say no.

and Ned? you vote for McCain? you lose your soul.

and no, it has been technically proven that the ad was not altered. get a grip and look at your own candidates site- he's about three different shades.

but what are we gaining from this discussion? oh, never mind. you're happy to vote for mccain.

did everyone read that? 100 years of war is OK with ned.

personally, I have three boys, one who will be ready to sign up for the draft soon.

please.. JUST STOP.

stephen cobert can be on the money. he labeled this primary "democralypse now". with john mccain casually sipping margaritas at poolside planning trips overseas to shore up international policy while the democrats are busy eating each other as only....democrats can. and here we all are on BP re-enacting his little skit. only it isn't funny here. just like it isn't funny anywhere except on the cobert report. it's time for the chill pill.

Ned! That doesn't make any sense whatsoever!

If Clinton does win, I will evote for McCain. That's the way I punish the Democrats for backing a loser AND keep the evil concentrated in the Republican Party.

So let me see if I have this right... *scratches head* To punish Democrats you'd rather elect another Republican - even though you don't want the Republicans to win. You're willing to see your own personal morality in exchange for a bitter blood feud with someone who doesn't know you and will never know your reasoning? Eh?

PS Obama's face IS noticably "Blacker" in Hillary's ad. Oh and MSNBC measured the angles, and it appears his face was also stretched to make his nose more "African."

As was discussed here before, even the Obama camp has said this is a tempest in a teapot. His own website shows him 3 different shades. Why? Web designers and graphic artists manipulate pictures all the time to best fit the medium.

PSSS I read liberal Obama supporting blogs at least daily, why is it that I only read about Bill's Blow Job in your article?

Get out more. Maxim's e-mail has been the talk of the blogs and news stations.

PSS Power was fired the day after her "Monster" statement. It took several days of ever building political pressure for Geraldine Ferraro to tender a resignation for implying "Obama only got to where he was 'cause he's a 'Black Man'."

Now there is your strongest point. I agree with you wholeheartedly - and with Olbermann. Bill Clinton's South Carolina remarks and Geraldine's pile on (several times, by the way - not just once!) both make me sick to my stomach. While I realize what she was trying to say - and it's partly true that Obama's unique package of smart, personable, good looking, regal bearing and yes, skin color, have made him a perfect storm, the correct way to say that would have been, "I think he has many characteristics that are pushing him forward in the polls. Hillary is also a candidate for change in that regard - they both break the molds" instead, "Oh, he's black." :(

Sara, you still didn't comment on what I wrote, you talked around it.

You talk about laying down swords and calling for a truce, yet you came down on Obama in your blog. Do you not see this as hypocritical?

well, Matt, I feel that I answered it.

yes, I did come down on Obama in my blog. My point was that you are not going to convince me that I should support Obama, and I'm not going to convince you to support Clinton so...

it's time to stop.

Hmpf, direct question...no direct answer.

Maybe it's just me, but the point of your post called "Enough Already" has nothing to do with convincing one another our candidates are the best, but more so to do with the fact that we should stop attacking one another and focus on the opposition, being the Republican party/war-monger McCain.

And I don't disagree with the need to stop the backbiting and cowtowing and bickering and bitterness, just your tactics for calling for it.

You know, it has struck me that, all the obamatons know how to do is whine!

Also they play the "victim" role to a T. They are all such victims of "Billary's" bigotry, hatred and racism, as well as all those evil Hillary supporters.

"and your little dog too!".

Listen to yourselves, whining about how Sara's post is so unfair, and that you and your canidate has been the 'victim' all along of that evil "monster" who dares to say anything against the spotless living saint and icon of virtue who is Obama.

Get this, they are both crooked, slimy, evil politicians who do not give a flying fuck about you or your rights. They only care about getting votes. They also want the votes of those who hate us, so they will say and do whatever it takes to get their vote as well. They will do whatever it takes to get themselves elected, selling their souls to the special interests and corporate crooks that actually run this fetid cess pool of a country.

They do not CARE about you, or ENDA, or the Shepard act. Niether one of them, not Obama, not Clinton.

Just get over it.