Reply #13: Initially, I had similar feelings.

[pnorman]

Consider the importance of this upcoming election. If we miss it this time, we (and the rst of the world) may NEVER get another chance. Accordingly, I was reluctant to see the message "blurred" by having the Democratic candidate being the "first Black to have a serious shot at it" (or the "first Woman").

But I'm DELIGHTED to realize that I'm almost certainly WRONG! Barack's candidacy seems to be having a POSITIVE steamrollering effect. That he's the OVERWHELMING choice of the rest of the world, will be a Talking Point for the jingoists. But for the greater majority of Americans, it should be something else. For the FIRST time in so many years, we may have a President that doesn't require a massive land,air, and sea military operation for "protection" in the crowds!

pnorman