I just read a brief diary on DKos citing a company which just announced it was dropping health care coverage for employees. I have a reaction to that story that may surprise you: I fervently wish that ALL American companies would drop health care for their employees. If they did, we'd soon have single payer, universal health care.

It is my belief that the single greatest key not only to Barack Obama's presidency but also to the nation's future is universal health care. It is the single most important key to unlocking the doorway leading out of our national hell.

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It's not an easy thing to get clear on. 'Cause it involves an acceptance of a denial of our visceral desire to see Obama blast away the long stream of lies coming out of McCain's mouth and Rove's outfit.

But if you want to see why Obama is winning this election, you'll need to see this clearly:

   When Obama ducks opportunities to "score points" on McCain ...

   Obama wins!

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We've all heard it: the histrionic ravings of the embittered woman from New York.

I submit that the poor woman's bitterness is a symptom and a product of the approach to politics that Hillary Clinton's campaign has embraced ever since she started to fear losing.

And the master of that politics is Karl Rove.

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I have hesitated and hesitated to write a post like this, hoping that the Democratic leadership would get its act together.

I can wait no longer. I know this is a committed DEM site and this may not go over too well. But, it's time to speak up.

The Democratic Party is failing to establish any sort of principled opposition to the GOP race into madness:

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With the SCOTUS decision today, it is clear that the right is winning their long war in the courts against abortion rights.

I share the concerns of progressives and liberals all over for the rights of women to control their own bodies.

But I would offer a word of encouragement:

If this becomes a directly POLITICAL battle, I think we will win.

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It is becoming abundantly clear that the effort being made by the Democratic Congress is not good enough.

Time is slipping by and there is no coordinated, consensus effort to engage the issues of Iran, Iraq, or impeachment. Democratic leaders like Murtha who try to lead are quickly marginalized.

Meanwhile, Scooter Libby's trial has placed on the record attested to by jury verdict the pure fact of Bush and Cheney having lied us into war. Speaker Pelosi? Senator Reid? Anything you want to do here?

Crickets.

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Lots of talk today concerning Al Franken's Senate bid. Here are a few words from a Minnesotan.

I share to some extent the concern people have about AF having trouble being taken seriously because he is a comedian. He has also been heavily branded instate as a leftist extremist. (Which of course he isn't.) He will polarize the electorate to some extent.

Having said that, I have come to the conclusion that I am thrilled that he is running. Her'e the big reason:

He will deeply wound Norm Coleman! In the primaries!

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The possible candidacies of Barrak and Hillary raise the issues of race and gender in American politics and society.

I'd like to probe these underlying issues. Set aside Barrak and Hillary as individual candidates.

Just asking a question here.

* Are white Americans ready to break through their racial prejudice and consider embracing leadership in a black man?

* Are white Americans ready to break through their racial prejudice and consider embracing leadership in a woman?

* Which of these prejudices runs deeper and will be harder to break through?

Poll and my thoughts on the flip side. In taking the poll, please reflect the world you live in personally. I'd like to get a feel for that. If someone knows of good polling on the topic, that could make a good response post.

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I was reading Bowers' post about the Quinniapac poll. Chris looks at the presidential polls for '08 and focuses on issues of popularity and, implicitly, the Noise Machine targetting our leaders.

Well, his points are well taken. But my thoughts fly off on a tangent.

The game has changed in America. We are no longer the opposition party. Bashing Bush has sustained us for years. Fighting the GOP Noise Machine has been the game. These convictions, these habits of mind have driven us, but they are no longer the point. Our job is no longer to break the majority in control of Congress. We did that.

Now, we have a different task: deliver the goods as a governing legislature. That's the new game.

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In the past, I have criticized Bowers and Kos for saying in effect "We can't win."

Now, I am saying a simple thing:

Stop staring at mesmerizing polls!

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