We've had a mini-episode of PUMA content popping up recently- unfortunately, the community-imposed moratorium on PUMA related diaries ain't gonna hold up. Ahh, well, such is life, eh?

But if you weren't clued in on the content of my diary by the title, lemme just re-emphasize it- let 'em rot! Just ignore 'em!

To illustrate my point, here's a photo depiction of yer average PUMA-

And here's an excellent depiction of their attitude-

It's easy for the issues in this election to feel somewhat distant, or only important in a rhetorical way. When someone talks about having friends or family in Iraq, it's easy to miss the scope of such feelings, since that burden is shared by so few in our society. Likewise, with issues ranging from abortion to illegal immigration to social security reform... to universal healthcare.

I must confess, I was among those who took a very distant look at a lot of those issues. From when I first become politically conscious, through being a Republican, and until somewhat recently, I was more concerned about the here and now of my own life- and none of those issues impacted me directly.

It's funny how things change.

Barack Obama came to my Sunday-evening barbeque with a six pack of Bud Light, and then drank my buddy's microwbrew all night. I still have that crap in my fridge.

Barack Obama called in sick today, and I had to deal with his clients- I know he's not sick, he just didn't want to deal with his 10:00am.

Barack Obama hangs just far enough in the turning lane so that you can't squeeze through and make a right on a red.

Barack Obama drank the last of the coffee in the Senate office and didn't make a fresh pot.

Barack Obama drank the last Code Red and left the empty case in the fridge.

Barack Obama left the Doritos bag sitting out on the counter, wide open.

Barack Obama never fills up the tank when he borrows your car.

Barack Obama had way more than 10 items in the express lane and then he wrote a check.

The Obamas' NEVER have exact change to go thru the toll booths and they hold everyone up in rush hour traffic. (colebiancardi)

Barack Obama doesn't hold the elevator for me when he sees me walking down the hall. I always just miss it. (rfahey22)

Michelle Obama waited at the greenlight fixing her makeup until the light changed, holding up traffic for miles.

Michelle Obama wore white to someone else's wedding.

In the wake of hearing from our good friend, Congressman Dan Boren (D-Okla), we have interesting news from The Hill this morning:

At least 14 Republican members of Congress have refused to endorse or publicly support Sen. John McCain for president, and more than a dozen others declined to answer whether they back the Arizona senator.

Just wait- it gets better.

This was written and posted by the ever awesome Slinkerwink over at Kos... http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/6/10/ 62840/8533

Here's the thing about Hillary Clinton. When she says she's a fighter, she means it. When she says she'll back Barack Obama, she means it. This story below illustrates that:

I've decided that forums like MyDD are now going to be best used for organization and keeping in touch and exchanging ideas with my fellows, as well as the current news of the race, and such.

In that vein, I'd like to submit this to the community's review to see what you'd think as a letter to the editor, or in a format like that.

UPDATE- Also, please, feel free to use these words or ideas to help express your own feelings as we go forward toward the general election.

Add your own in the thread below! We'll be voting for the best picture/movie later on!

I thought I'd pass along some exciting news for our chances in November; we've got former Republicans who are now gladly donating to the Democratic party- another nail in the coffin for McCain?

Hot off the wire:

Beverly Fanning is among the campaign donors who'll be joining President Bush at a gala at Washington's Ford's Theater Sunday night, but she says that won't dissuade her from her current passion: volunteering for Barack Obama's presidential campaign.

She isn't the only convert. A computer analysis, incomplete due to the difficulty matching data from various campaign finance reports, found that hundreds of people who gave at least $200 to Bush's 2004 campaign have donated to Obama.

Among them are Julie Nixon Eisenhower, the daughter of the late GOP President Richard Nixon and wife of late GOP President Dwight Eisenhower's grandson; Connie Ballmer, the wife of Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer; Ritchie Scaife, the estranged wife of conservative tycoon Richard Mellon Scaife and boxing promoter Don King.