When will Democrats learn to brand themselves as deeper, bigger picture thinkers? How can we say, “I gotta handle this, because I got your back.” Do we have to wait until collapse and say, “I told you so?”

Keep up the good work. Try not to hate on the Palmetto State so much. As a native North Carolinian, I try to espouse a friendly “Pan-Carolinianism!”

Short of a strong counter argument to the larger point, you seem to just be attempting to divine my motivations for writing what I did. Rest assured, there is no hand-wringing.

And really, I wasn’t even specifically writing this topic as a specific condemnation of McCain, but rather a much larger point to show what I believe to be the fundamental flaw of conservative ideology.

Having said that, if you think that somehow an elephant can change his stripes, good luck!

Anyone else have any thoughts on the original topic?

Dude, I think you do have a good point here. It’s really hard to argue many of your points, though I think the MAIN point begs a question (which I will ask in a minute).

There is one major difference between this blog and many of it’s predecessors: there is an undertone of uneasiness. You appear to pleading with readers rather than exuding your usual confidence. Maybe I’m wrong. The polls have swung a little, and maybe it’s you who is now wringing your hands?

I find the Nevada study both interesting and compelling.

It doesn’t take tarhole math for me to realize my PERSONAL losses (out of pocket) will be greater under Obama than any indirect costs I may save. We’ve had this argument many times, and we will always disagree…but I will always contend that it is real easy to be generous with someone else’s money.

Now to the main point: Do you REALLY think a vote for McSame is a vote to “do nothing?” While he states he has agreed with Bush “90% of the time” before, do you not think he can change his mind and act differently as the needs of the country change? He certainly states NOW that the country needs “change,” he just feels HIS ideas are better than Obama’s (something you said all campaigns seek to do, create that perception). He never said everything’s ok, and we need to contnue the status quo…indeed, he’s admitted there are serious problems that need to be addressed. To suggest he wants the status quo is both naive and overly biased to the point of being irrational (I just don’t want the people who read your opinionated, partisan blog to mistake this as “fact” ). I expect politicians to flip flop some. Our country is constantly evolving (or reeling at present), and its needs constantly change. Our politicians should be able to adapt. Good example….now local politicians on BOTH sides agree that we need offshore drilling (as reported in the paper here yesterday). Point is…I think BOTH McCain and Obama feel things need to change, though they differ on how those changes should come about. Therefore, a vote for McCain is not necessarily a vote to “do nothing.” Thus, the premise of your blog is flawed (unless you assume McCain is the status quo just because he’s a pub, and you know what assumptions do).