Great post.  Beck's version of Christianity is the worst perversion of my faith I have yet seen (and that includes seeing wackos like Dobson LeHaye, and Pat Robertson!), and I'm glad to see some Progressive push back on the subject. If one truly believes in the teachings of Christ, seeking social justice is not a choice, it's a command yet according to Beck, "It's about You."  Sickening.

I agree with the idea that the Repubs are going to have to try (as the Dems have had to in the past) to make inroads to a territory where their opponents are strong, but I think they are wasting time in the northeast.  They need someone who appeals to the West/Midwest.  The problem for them is the type that appeals to that part of the country generally alienates southern GOP crazies, but since they'll be running against Obama, they don't have a lot to worry about there.  The Teabagger crowd will be willing to vote for anyone against Obama.

This list is a joke, and most of the congressman on it know it.

Let me shed a little light on the subject:

My Congressman is Marion Berry, who represents Arkansas' first district, and happens to be on that list.  It's true that Marion Berry is a blue dog, and isn't much of a Democrat, but I can't imagine he would be 'scared into voting against the Obama agenda' anymore than he already does.

Why?  Two reasons-
1) He's got an absolute warchest as far as cash is concerned, and he's almost unbeatable in Arkansas in terms of fundraising (not that this is a good thing, but it keeps him in his seat).

2) Do you know when the last time AR-01 sent a Republican to congress? Never in it's entire history.  It. Ain't. Going. To. Happen.

For me this list isn't a show of the GOP being smart tactically, it's a show of how utterly desperate they are, and how hopeless their climb back into the majority will be.

hear, hear!

Franken's going to be one of the best, and the very best part is the Republicans will hate every minute of it because he's not afraid to call them out on lies and distortions.

because we have historically shown a values/priority system more in line with what America should be.  The Republican importance placed on tax-cuts and free trade underscores this well.

Robert Kennedy once said something that really gets at the heart of it:

"Too much and too long, we seem to have surrendered community excellence and community values in the mere accumulation of material things. Our gross national product...if we should judge American by that - counts air pollution and cigarette advertising, and ambulances to clear our highways of carnage. It counts special locks for our doors and the jails for those who break them. It counts the destruction of our redwoods and the loss of our natural wonder in chaotic sprawl. It counts napalm and the cost of a nuclear warhead, and armored cars for police who fight riots in our streets. It counts Whitman's rifle and Speck's knife, and the television programs which glorify violence in order to sell toys to our children.
"Yet the gross national product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education, or the joy of their play. It does not include the beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages; the intelligence of our public debate or the integrity of our public officials. It measures neither our wit nor our courage; neither our wisdom nor our learning; neither our compassion nor our devotion to our country; it measures everything, in short, except that which makes life worthwhile. And it tells us everything about America except why we are proud that we are Americans."

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I hate David Gregory, now we're going to have someone GUSHING over McCain from the anchor chair.

Fuck.

Are you guys kidding??  The McCain camp doesn't know what Walter Reed even look like!

That speech wasn't 35 minutes, it was 42 minutes, and the content was exactly the opposite of what the guy describes.  What an Asshat.  The AP is destroyed.

Look, it looks like there is ANOTHER Edwards affair about to bubble to the surface, so it's time to accept the reality that he's toast, and more than that this has completely reinforced my initial impression that he was a phony.  So I think it's time to start looking elsewhere for the AG.

I know, man.  Think about it. 8 years of a high profile bully pulpit from which she can display EVERYTHING that all Democrats love and respect about her--her fighting spirit.

and at the end of that years she will have Presidents Clinton AND Obama, aka both first black Presidents, as her top surrogates.

I don't care what the naysayers who claim a run in 8 years for her is unrealistic say, this situation would make her a shoo-in.

And more than that, think of what it could do for the country.

Tips for what's so bad ass it should be considered political sadism...

In all due respect, this is a shortsighted and ridiculous argument.
I want to make a couple points:

1) The media suffered a SERIOUS backlash for sexist attitudes in the netroots, Shuster was suspended and Matthews was made to apologize (which is something that blow hard rarely does).  If they got a backlash for picking on a middle aged women, you don't think they'd get a FAR greater backlash from picking on an older woman?

2)  Women have longer life expectancy than men.

3) Hillary doesn't have alzheimer's, isn't a fake cowboy or a fucking moron.

4) Hillary is a sharp lady and tough fighter now, 8 years will only add a few more years of grit and wisdom.

5) If there is one woman in America who could be just as tough and tenacious at 69 as she is at 60, TONIGHT proved it was Hillary Clinton.

6) We HAVE to turn the page on George Bush, we can't wait another 4 years, but we can rest assured that 8 years from now, we have one fighter who is absolutely ready to take center stage.

7) Think how FUCKING AWESOME it would be to see the Democrats elect the First African American and First Woman Presidents BACK TO BACK.

We can do it, whenever America faces challenges or needs barriers broken, history shows us that DEMOCRATS rise to the occasion.

Oh, I completely agree with you about Obama's speech in 04'.  And personally I think the speech on Race is one of the best, most insightful, and most important political speeches I'll see in my lifetime.

Can't wait till thursday...

I thought her plea for Obama was as passionate and personal as any I've seen her give this election cycle.  She did everything she could have.  This speech was FANTASTIC, and anyone who complains is looking for a reason to whine.

Olbermann did seem peeved at Obama, but certainly kept it in check.  But in fairness to him, by the time Obama made that move the only other candidate in the race was McCain.  Is he gonna do better?