You know what? Maybe you're right.

I think we've lost sight of this fact because of the ridiculously high expectations we have of him. We all want him to win this November. BADLY. Many of us have probably joked that we'll all move to Canada if McCain becomes president. I on the other hand am actually serious ;-) But the fact is that many of us want him to not just be a good President, but one of the best leaders the world has ever seen.

Seeing that 9/11 should be a day of remembrance and a reminder that we are all Americans, I say we tip our hats to the man today and go back to kicking McCain's butt tomorrow.

Amen. I've said this elsewhere so won't add, but you are ABSOLUTELY right. This has to be the hardest time for him (and Joe Biden must feel like he stepped onto a roller coaster) - they should know how much proud support they have.

(I'm not sure that the "experts" in the blogosphere have had no effect, however. According to every report, that's a hallmark of Obama's decision-making -- pulling in ideas from everywhere and selecting the ones that fit, the problem and his style. And he DOES say that he reads TPM, after all!

Anyone who thinks a bozo like McBush and his lipstick poodle can beat Obama is nuts.

I wholeheartedly agree. It's so easy to get caught up in the polls, and all the crap in the McCain camp, and get worried that we'll lose yet again. In my logical moments, when I put aside all the worry, I realize that we do have such very high hopes for this man. We do see him as the best thing to come along for this country in a very, very long time. He has beaten the odds. And in my heart of hearts, I believe he will continue to do so, and we will be watching him swoorn in come January. Thanks for your post.

Excellent post. Thank you! I have been saying the same thing. I think he has been doing a damned good job. We may not like the pace at which he moves, but I think politically, he has been brilliant.

He's on an uphill battle with the media fawning and playing the "fairness" angle with little fairness and total fawning, but Obama continues to plug along, slowly, steadily.

Reminds me of that tortoise.

Thank you!

I agree 100%

I never said that Obama walked on water. I said from the mountains he's had to climb already, that he's done so and with remarkable skill. Instead of constantly attacking him (we supporters) for not doing this or that -- maybe just once in awhile we should trust his judgment.

Yes, all of us need outside intervention once in awhile and I'm sure Obama's read things from TPM and other places that have given him ideas on how to handle a situation -- but for the most part, he and his crew have done it on their own.

They should be applauded for that effort -- that's all I meant.

In some way, McCain should be applauded too; but I honestly believe the GOP picked him for different reasons down the road. Perhaps to get the first woman elected President in 2012 when McCain drops out (if they win this one). I've also felt the GOP promised him this chance if he stood by Bush after 2000.

Remember that Obama is not about winning the small weekly battles, he is about winning the war. Mark Penn adviced Hillary on the Micro strategy that may win you a news cycle but in the end you lose. Obama knows enough to keep his eye on the goal and McCain has played right into Obama's hands, this is where they wanted Mccain to be in the long run. Remember when Mondale picked Ferraro they were up points after their convention and ended up winning only 10 States. McCain picked hype over reason, momentary excitement over long term plan. McCain is the type of guy who will take 10 viagras, thinking he will get a better rise and end up overdosing himself.

Remember that Obama is not about winning the small weekly battles, he is about winning the war. Mark Penn adviced Hillary on the Micro strategy that may win you a news cycle but in the end you lose. Obama knows enough to keep his eye on the goal and McCain has played right into Obama's hands, this is where they wanted Mccain to be in the long run. Remember when Mondale picked Ferraro they were up 30 points after their convention and ended up winning only 10 States. McCain picked hype over reason, momentary excitement over long term plan. McCain is the type of guy who will take 10 viagras, thinking he will get a better rise and end up overdosing himself.

I totally agree with you and furthermore, I love this post.

It's a brilliant campaign.

Congratulations, Obama, you've been able to coast since March and you haven't been removed from the ballot so you're still in the race, despite being 4 or 5 points down nationally. Against a candidate representing the most failed administration ever and a disastrous war, and accompanied by a side-kick with 1 1/2 years of serious experience.

It's a brilliant campaign, as Tena says.

Whatever.

Yes, anyone who can keep a level head while being attacked with lies, slander, and nonsense deserves high praise.

All Hear! Here! Here! Amen.

I heartily endorse this post. Palin has dominated public fascination (here's the pop star) since the Dem convention. Obama is letting the press do the job of deconstructing her, as well as letting Palin self-destruct. That is the right approach. Once the luster has worn off her, it's hard to see how the majority of swing voter could check the McCain/Palin box.

I do fervently hope Obama will win and I have a mildly optimistic outlook that he will - and if he does, I hope several of the people on this site will join the armed forces under Obama, you seem like you would make excellent suicide bombers.

No matter how this shakes out, those of you who keep saying that Obama's will win the general election based on his performance and tactics during the primaries should stop and consider one obvious point - every single Democrat who has ever had his ass handed to him in the general election won the primaries.

These comments are unbelievable. Most everyone here is in amazing denial.

here's hoping that at least we keep the Congress.

Most everyone here is either in incredible denial or naive.

Here's hoping that at least we'll keep the Congress....

Yes. Well said. And if -- no, when -- folks who don't want to realize they have to vote for him (if they keep Palin on the ticket, that is) they will start remembering that he's half-white. Yes, that sounds ugly and 'superior' but I grew up in the South and was there as the big change started ....... and that is what was said, many times, when those in power were forced to accept a black and the black did well or at least was no worse than his counterpart would have been. "Yes, Jack's done good ... but you know word is his grandaddy was a white man." Serious.=== But you know what? It doesn't matter! Those things dissolve with time, with interaction, with looking at common goals instead of the skin tone of the person sitting next to you. So it's okay and a natural part of growth, just as long as there are enough people who, for whatever reason, open the door. The most amazing thing about the civil rights movement, beyond the valiant and wisely led effort to get the door open, is the degree to which race HAS become something no more than "Italian heritage" or something: a fact, on rare moments relevant, but far, far from THE important fact. I hope some social scientist has been studying the phenomenon so far, because I think just by running the campaign he has Obama has gotten past that see-nothing-but-color in many people's minds.

I'm not.

I'm mad as hell at Obama. Because you know what? I think he's not slinging anything of consequence at McCain out of sheer narcissism: he doesn't want to be seen as taking the "low road."

But lives are at stake, particularly after the Palin interview. Obama will let this country be run by a president who listens closely to Randy Scheunemann? Why? Because he's afraid to start a "John McCain Gave Away His Honor" campaign?

You know, there is something to the argument of "if he won't fight for us, why should he be president?"

Do whatever it takes, Obama. Lives are at stake. Forget about your "reputation." That's a luxury we can't afford.

I'm not.

I'm mad as hell at Obama. Because you know what? I think he's not slinging anything of consequence at McCain out of sheer narcissism: he doesn't want to be seen as taking the "low road."

But lives are at stake, particularly after the Palin interview. Obama will let this country be run by a president who listens closely to Randy Scheunemann? Why? Because he's afraid to start a "John McCain Gave Away His Honor" campaign?

You know, there is something to the argument of "if he won't fight for us, why should he be president?"

Do whatever it takes, Obama. Lives are at stake. Forget about your "reputation." That's a luxury we can't afford.

I want to point out that I never said Obama has WON this thing. I said for the past 19 months he's done a superior job and that maybe we should trust he'll do the same the next two.

Connie, Not to bust the bubble or weaken the kool aid but given what has happened the last 8 years and the current state of our Economy and world, Obama should be up double digits and be blowing past the competition.

I am happy to see Obama take the high road. It is consistent with his message and his ideas for a different kind of civil society.The people who insist he must use whatever "tactics" he can to win, regardless of ethics, should consider who he might change by these low-brow strategies. People who have swung the polls over to McBush are obviously not interested in any data about the economy, etc, but have an "american idol" finals mentality. Using McBush tactics will result in a slimy gloss over the entire process and obscure the truth.Maybe even lower the core enthusiasm for this NEW type of politician. The only hope I see is to keep pounding the facts and hope it sticks. If not, and Obama loses, the country will continue to decline in every way. Eventually, however, the pendulum will swing....

He lost.

Obamawon -- Barack Obama came from a NOBODY and he's up against a SOMEBODY that the media LOVES -- a war hero and purported maverick in his own party.

Obama is LUCKY he's gotten this close.