Waitaminute here.

This whole flap about Obama playing the "racism card" is about him saying he doesn't look like the presidents on our money?

Anyone remember this?

Grover Norquist says that Obama is John Kerry "with a tan."

Norquist dropped by The Times' Washington bureau today and, as part of his negative critique of Obama's liberal stances on economic issues and other matters, he termed the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee "John Kerry with a tan."

Until the night of the Iowa JJ Dinner, I didn't really know what they were about.  I'm old enough to know some stuff - been through a few elections - but in my adult lifetime no politician has caused me to pay much attention, at least at the national level.  I certainly haven't been active in the Democratic Party like many here (something for which I'm now slightly ashamed).  

So, when I watched that night in IA, after being excited by Obama's candidacy and finding myself more engaged than in the past (certainly the Internet has much to do with that too), I was stunned by Obama.  My recollections of that 1st JJ this season start with "THAT'S why I'm running for President!"

OK, I'm watching this nonsense from PA with the crowd desperately trying to chant up the candidacy and the big website banner in the background.  And I'm thinking, the genius of PA will be that Obama didn't overlook it.  He tried, as he does everywhere.  He didn't say "it's hard."  He didn't say "it's the hardest job in the world."  He didn't say, "hard work."

He tried, and did well, even though I don't know the final numbers at this point, and he did fine.

And then, HILLARYCLINTON.COM shows up in the background of the party, and I'm laughing.  Sister's broke, and struggling.  She's like the kid who's only got one piece of candy left, promising it to anyone, begging for attention.  PLEASE give me some money.  Go to my website!

12 days away from home traveling (therefore not posting), and I come back tonight.  Dinner, bath, my turn to put the kids down.  Obviously.

All's well, and my wife is relishing the chance to retreat to the basement to... phone bank (which I didn't know).  She's been beating herself up because of not doing enough.  Missed a planned spell at the subway station to talk to folks.  So her first agenda when some relief arrived was to make some calls.  It's new for her.

All's well upstairs with the kids and the reading and the toothbrushing.  But the two-year old, ready for crib, needs his binky...

UPDATE - GO TO THREAD #2.

HERE.

Unrecommend this thread please.

OK, I'm watching Hillary and hearing her and feeling what she's saying.  Tonight, teachers are grading and nurses are caring, and they need a President that listens to them.

Anyone else watching?  Obama's on next I think.  

I am sick tonight.

I am sick of not knowing if I can find it within myself to support one of the possible winners of our primary.  Can I look past the lies, the deceptions, the tricks, that's necessary to win a primary?  I heard Willard Romney tonight, praising the virtues of John McCain and I thought to myself, how hollow must these people be, to say and do the things they've done to each other over the last months then swagger and pretend that "hey, it's been a tough contest."  Do they remember the things they've said?

I have a dirty little secret.  I haven't done everything I can to help make sure that the Democrats retake the House or the Senate.  I live in a safe district, in a safe state.  I've been gerrymandered into my vote not counting.  But I'm near enough to competitive districts that I should be helping.  And I'm financially secure enough that I should be helping.  And I'm committed enough that I have no excuse for not helping.

I know... it's not too late.  Before even thinking of posting this I went and contributed $250 to the DNC (by the way, they've run out of matching pledges - outstanding).  And I've posted some comments here, and one or two diaries.  And I've been VOCAL to everyone I know, and even some I don't.  So it's not like I'm totally anemic, but I've got more.  And here are my hopes: