http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspxFrom NBC's Elizabeth WilnerDemocratic Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana, who on paper looked like a formidable presidential contender in 2008 (former red-state governor with sizeable campaign bank account and extensive political network), has announced that heen-USCommunityServer 2.0 (Build: 60608.1)http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21190Sun, 17 Dec 2006 00:50:52 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21190Bernie BiermanAmong millions of Democrats, Evan Bayh couldn't win an election to Deputy Dog Catcher. Mr. Bayh was from the very outset an staunch supporter of the Iraq adventure and has remained a staunch supporter of that adventure. To many Democrats, Mr. Bayh isn't Republican Lite. He's heavy-duty Republican.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21202Sun, 17 Dec 2006 03:20:58 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21202Pearl Bible ,Newport, Tn. I am 100% for John Edward's for our next president of the good old USA. The south will go for John Edward! We love him. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21212Sun, 17 Dec 2006 12:36:14 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21212Kenneth Kierland, Minneapolis, MNIntellectually, ethically, and experience-based, Bayh would have been far superior to Edwards in serving our Nation. We do not need an ambulance chasing, polarizing, unethically rich skudzball in the capacity of POTUS. Edwards is NOT acceptable at any level of consideration.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21216Sun, 17 Dec 2006 14:02:17 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21216David, Cincinnati OHEvan Bayh has more substance than your average politician. Obama? He is exciting, but is he experienced enough? Hilary has substance, she is nobody's fool. But is she electable? Sen. Bayh's polls must have shown him his time was not now. Problem is, coming from Red Indiana, next to Red turning Blue Ohio, Bayh could win the heartland and the rest of the country is ready to go Blue. Maybe VP? He'd bring a positive balance to Hilary (midwestern, good conservative record, no negative baggage, beautiful spouse with no baggage). He is a brilliant pol with a great pedigree. Is he his father? In some ways he doesn't match up. In others, he soars over Birch's legacy. His time will come.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21217Sun, 17 Dec 2006 14:21:08 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21217Don Howell Raleigh, NCAs a Republican I consider Sen. Obama to be a breath of fresh air. I'd vote for him, even though we may agree on every issue. Even met once in the Capitol in March, 2005. He actually spoke first while walking alone in the Capitol tunnel between Russell and Hart Senate Office Buildings. This election will not necessarily be about ideology. Bush II has seen to that and he has left the GOP in worse shape than his dad, fifteen years ago. Go Obama! http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21223Sun, 17 Dec 2006 16:15:49 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21223Frank, Cleveland, OhioEdwards is the superior candidate. He comes from a working class family and he has spent his entire career fighting for working class people. To call him unethical and polarizing is plainly ignorant. Ambulance chaser??? Far from it. He has made large corporations and insurance companies accountable for their horrendous negligence.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21224Sun, 17 Dec 2006 16:21:14 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21224John Mitchell, HollywoodThe Dream Team for 2008 for the Democrats? Edwards/Clinton, with Obama receiving a high cabinet post, and if he is smart, Bill Clinton as Secretary of State, and Al Gore as head of the EPA. Edwards/Clinton will easily defeat a McCain/Giuliani ticket and sweep the South and the North, plus the coast states. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21226Sun, 17 Dec 2006 16:48:31 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21226Nicholas Smith, Phillipsburg, NJGov. Mitt Romney is the only sound and responsible candidate in the entire field. I hope he get some traction nationally and becomes our next President. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21228Sun, 17 Dec 2006 16:53:55 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21228Mark Gallegos Albuquerque, NM Clinton Clinton Clinton need I say more. !!!!!!!!!http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21230Sun, 17 Dec 2006 16:57:04 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21230Greg Godsil, Arvada, COBayh had the potential & experience to run & unite the USA, but apparently not the guts. Obama? Oh really? NO way as he's too green. Hillary? Give me a break! No way in heck is she elected as the outside world (i.e. Middle East) won't respect or respond to her & she's too polarizing here in the states. It must be a moderate person & more than likely, a moderate Republican like Guliani. Edwards should go back to chasing ambulances as he did nothing for NC when we was a senator other than aim for POTUS.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21231Sun, 17 Dec 2006 17:03:03 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21231Lee in CA"Intellectually, ethically, and experience-based, Bayh would have been far superior to Edwards in serving our Nation. We do not need an ambulance chasing, polarizing, unethically rich skudzball in the capacity of POTUS. Edwards is NOT acceptable at any level of consideration. " Listen, Ken - after a retarded monkey and alcoholic felon like George W. Bush, it is pure and utter non-sense to say ANYONE is too much of a "polarizing, unethically rich skudzball" to be POTUS. The bar has been buried - been in a cave for 6 years?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21232Sun, 17 Dec 2006 17:05:07 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21232Jeff, Columbus, OHJohn Edwards could not even win his home state for his running mate in 2004. How is he going to win the south when the Republicans actually have a good candidate running in 2008?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21235Sun, 17 Dec 2006 17:37:09 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21235David A. Swanger, Shippensburg, Pa.Also, a Die-hard Republican, I think Senator Obama would be good for "we the people". Wouldn't it be scarey to see Hillary as the President of the United States and "Good Ole Bill" as President of the European Union. I served 24 yrs. active duty U.S. Navy and I do not think Hiliary Would support our troops like they should be supported.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21236Sun, 17 Dec 2006 17:55:50 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21236Ken McGee Louisburg, NCIt sill looks like Senator John Edwards is the solid candidate in the race. He is well known, well liked, and has been campaigning non stop and polishing his natiioanal security credentials for two years. The race does not necessarily go to the swiftest!http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21238Sun, 17 Dec 2006 18:05:25 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21238Kathryn W Cormier. Aberdeen, SD I think that Hillary Clinton would be an outstanding politician. She is bright but if she proceeds forward; she must be careful in her pick of a vice presidential running mate. There are alot of viscious people in this country that would like to take her down. The Democratic party must move forward cautiously.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21240Sun, 17 Dec 2006 18:27:00 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21240Brad A., San Diego, CAI volunteered for Wes Clark in NH in 2004 and later in Chicago for Barak Obama's Senate campaign. I would love to see Clark win in 2008 and Obama in 2016. If you have or will take the time to read his policy papers, I'm sure you'll find refreshing his fresh approach and willingness to take a stand on the most complicated issues of our time. He has the leadership skills, military experience, and even the southern Red State roots needed to lead this country from 2009-2017. As for John Edwards, he's all charm and no substance. We would go to his campaign events and he knew just enough to sound intelligent but never proved he had any detailed knowledge of the key issues. If somebody asked him a tough question he would say, "Thank you for coming out today and asking such an important question. Everybody, give him a hand for coming out today." And then after the applause died down, he would move on to the next question without ever answering the first. Are we really looking for somebody who can only handle softballs or somebody who can take the high and tight fastballs too? http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21241Sun, 17 Dec 2006 18:31:20 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21241Ryan, Oak Hill, West VirginiaEdwards may have the southern charm but can he create a media frenzy Obama and Clinton have made? Everywhere you look its Obama and Clinton. Not even a mention of Republicans which, considering the current situation, is a very good thing. I think Edwards will be a strong contender for Primaries...Clinton, Obama, Edwards will be the top three. I however think Clinton and Obama running together for the white house can get otherwise nonvoters engergized about voting...imagine, every black male and female voting for the Clinton-Obama ticket and every female, single mother voting too?? It's unstoppable.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21242Sun, 17 Dec 2006 18:31:46 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21242Dennis SmithAll this is really helping McCain!http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21243Sun, 17 Dec 2006 18:33:16 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21243Kentucky voterObama is a breath of fresh air. We want change? Then let's do something radical like vote in man for POTUS who's actually qualified and capable of doing the job. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21244Sun, 17 Dec 2006 18:39:41 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21244Nancy, Jacksonville, FLYes - Edwards is Da Man! http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21245Sun, 17 Dec 2006 18:47:30 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21245RCJohn Edward is the only one that can win.The Republicans will do every thing they can saying how great Sen.Obama trying to make sure he runs.Hillary Clinton is so hated by the extreme right they will spend an do what ever it takes to keep her from winning. I Like Sen. John McCain but his age and health are not so good also he has sold out to the extremehttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21247Sun, 17 Dec 2006 18:52:30 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21247Linda Jackson Pekin,IllinoisI have often thought that the president should be a black woman. They have a history of taking care of families and running things well. With Hilary and Barak Obama we may have the best of both. Lindahttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21248Sun, 17 Dec 2006 18:53:34 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21248joseph agell huntington new york.its time to put someone in office that serve in the arm service. its time that the american people comes first. it feel like the viet nam war, ew lost to many americans. we lost the battle. lets look in the future. our kids, and grand kids.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21249Sun, 17 Dec 2006 19:00:37 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21249Virginia Terhaar, Portland, ORIt's incredible to hear questions of Clinton's "electability" with the veiled references to gentder, and touts of Bayh's assets to include his "beautiful spouse with no baggage". I want the election to focus on issues, period. It sounds as if equal rights equates to liberal veiws for some. It may not be 2008 yet - in fact, it feels a bit more like 1908 at times - but perhaps we can bring ourselves into the present with considerate, intelligent disucssion. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21250Sun, 17 Dec 2006 19:01:25 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21250Matt Gentile, Glendale, CASen. Obama will definitely be the first African-American President for the US...just not in 2008. Likely in 2016 after serving as Vice President under either John Edwards or Hillary Clinton. While I like Hillary a lot, she has so much negative baggage with Republicans she would likely mobilize them leading to our defeat and 8 more years of our country's decline, social injustice, elimination of our civil rights and war at the hands of another Republican by any other name. Edwards and Obama in 2008 and 2012! I like the ring of that!http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21251Sun, 17 Dec 2006 19:21:37 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21251K Walton. Seattle WAI admire Hillery but as with G. Bush people either love or hate her- intensly! I thing the next President should be less contraversial and one who could best unite this country. At this point I think Edwards would best fill that roll. Obama is exciting but needs some seasoning so we would know better what we would be getting. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21253Sun, 17 Dec 2006 19:39:11 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21253Joyce Streible, Arthur, ILIf a democrat has to be our next preisdent I hope it is Obama. The fact that he has not been in Washington very long might mean he hasn't learned all the bad things that the others have.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21256Sun, 17 Dec 2006 19:56:00 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21256r.j. mchenry county, ilAs a blue state liberal, and someone who voted for Bill Clinton twice, I consider his Presidency to be orders of magnitude superior to the current squatter in the White House. Similarly, I have always respected and admired the former first lady very much. However, the venom and irrationality that have been vented against the Clinton's cannot be overcome by Senator Clinton. The same voters who can't find anything wrong with the war crimes, loss of U.S. respect abroad, and other economic and environmental crimes against U.S. citizen's, inflicted by King George and his henchmen, go ballistic at the thought of Senator Clinton running for POTUS. Senator Clinton's considerable knowledge, connections, and experience would be better suited to her staying in the U.S. Senate, and helping to ensure that a democratic candidate wins the Presidency in 2008, 20012, 2016, etc. A combination ticket of Edwards and Obama would seem to be extremely electable, and pave the way for Obama to pursue the presidency in 2016. As vice-president for 8 years, no one could complain about a lack of experience then. The country needs to change course desparately, and it can occur if the Democrats unite behind an electable POTUS/VP ticket, well in advance of the 2008 convention. I don't believe that can happen with Senator Clinton on the ticket. Rather than democratic candiates pissing away millions in campaign spending, use the money to begin to help our current and returning veterans, who besides being placed in harm's way in a non-winnable crusade, are being treated shabbily by POTUS and DOD. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21258Sun, 17 Dec 2006 20:25:07 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21258Olivia, Peoria, Ill.Per an MSNBC article, John Edwards is planning to announce his candidacy from New Orleans' 9th Ward to publicize inequality in this country. This is an excellent decision. Because national attention needs to be focused on the fact that New Orleans more than a year after Katrina still needs a great deal of help. (On Thanksgiving Eve, Brian Williams said in effect that he'd be anchoring from New Orleans "sometime soon." Why hasn't he?) I've also read the distressing news that a "brain drain" of young professionals is going on in New Orleans. Due to her de-populated state, they just can't find the business they need to survive. Not to mention the fact that due to New Orleans' continuing hardships, life is difficult there. The article cited the example of a doctor who just pulled up stakea and re-settled in Raleigh, North Carolina. Consequently, there are major shortages of such necessary personnel as health professionals and teachers. This "brain drain" is an early sign that New Orleans is headed down the tubes. It's time the mainstream media started paying more frequent and consistent attention to what's happening in that city because New Orleans is dying without the help she needs to recover. It's time for the media to regularly cover New Orleans and push the Bush Administration and Congress to take meaningful action to help that beautiful, historic city recover and re-populate herself. So per one of Bush's Jackson Square promises, New Orleans will "rise again."http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21259Sun, 17 Dec 2006 20:29:18 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21259rodney arnold, miami, fl. 33169I believe its to early to pick. History has shown use in the past that a new leader will come, Its as thought, from out of the woodwork! Example: Bill Clinton D, T. Rosevelt R, Jimmy Carter D, all late arrivals, someone will fill that spot. We need a man that will make us feel comfterable, then the whole show runs smoothly. It's to just early to tell! Just remember to vote when the time comes.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21260Sun, 17 Dec 2006 20:45:36 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21260Dale Hartline, Canton, OhioAnyone who really thinks a 2 year unproven,untested Sen.Obama would be a better candidate than John Edwards is just being silly. For some reason the news media has decided he is all that. Well compared to John Edwards or Joe Biden Obama is nothing. He is a 40 state loser. the democrats need to elect someone much moore deeper than Obama. He is just the flaver of the week. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21265Sun, 17 Dec 2006 22:21:29 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21265DesmondObama is too green, Obama is the flavor of the week. Barak Obama is the child of a white woman and a black man. That is a fact. And that is what America will vote on. I have not decided who I will vote for, but I do know I will vote. As a Democrat, there is a Republican whom I would think positively of, that person has been mentioned, just not a front runner.I still stand by my statment, this country will not elect a black President because they are too racist.You can use all the code words you want. I have been there and learned the new lingo. "Green means he is black, and thus not a WASP.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21267Sun, 17 Dec 2006 22:23:37 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21267DesmondAs for "ambulance chaser", gosh the republicans labelled John Edwards that a lifetime ago. Get those Swift boaters to put their thinking caps on.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21268Sun, 17 Dec 2006 22:26:06 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21268DesmondOlivia, I understand what you are saying. Thanks for contuining to post about New Orleans. You are even more stubborn than I am, and that's saying alot.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21273Mon, 18 Dec 2006 00:11:06 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21273Mike, MESouth will go for edwards? LOL They didn't in the last round. LOL http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21277Mon, 18 Dec 2006 00:24:17 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21277Chris Meluch, Palmyra, OhioWhy is Clinton even a contender? What are her crendentials, a one-term Senator and a former first lady. Why don't the Democrats just find a bum to run for president.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21285Mon, 18 Dec 2006 01:49:48 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21285JohnKeep in mind that the early media darling of the last Democratic primary was Howard Dean, we all know how that went (Sorry Obama). Hillary is unelectable. So far the only potentially good democratic candidate out there is John Edwards.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21311Mon, 18 Dec 2006 14:26:48 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21311Jason Gerson, Marietta, GA Having Your State and Winning It Too As may of us have heard, Evan Bayh has bowed out of the Presidential primaries, but John Edwards is still in. There is nothing about Edwards that's wrong. He has come from humble beginnings in a sea of red to become a successful professional and politician. And for those who note how much Americans dislike formerly unsuccessful politicians, this tends not to prove true as much for failed VP candidates as much as for their Presidential counterparts. He is incredibly attractive on electoral standards; a Southern Democrat could bode better on a national election more so than any other candidate. However, there is a glaring fact that will disgrace any attempts by Edwards to gain the support of his party: he lost his home state in 2004. It is utterly useless to nominate a Southern candidate who cannot appeal to Southerners. John Edwards may taunt his Southern heritage, but he'll have to do more. He can't just have his state; he'll have to win it, and he'll have to win the Mid-West, too.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21316Mon, 18 Dec 2006 15:19:31 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21316Asad, Atlanta GALaura Bush / Tom Delay '08!http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21346Mon, 18 Dec 2006 17:09:14 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21346Seattle SueChris Meluch, We have had a bum for the past six years. Why would we want another bum to run for President?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21348Mon, 18 Dec 2006 17:13:44 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21348Seattle SueAsad, You are right Laura Bush/Tom Delay would be an unbeatable pair for 08. Please encourage all Republicans to run this team.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21392Mon, 18 Dec 2006 21:05:04 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21392Jane, Southern MississippiI think Kerry lost in Tennessee more than Edwards did. Kerrry was number one on the ticket, not Edwards, and water's gone under the bridge since then. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21397Mon, 18 Dec 2006 21:20:25 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21397Jane, Southern MississippiI also like Joseph Biden. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21403Mon, 18 Dec 2006 21:35:22 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21403Olivia, Peoria, Ill.If Obama decides to run it would be a good idea for him, too, to announce his candidacy from New Orleans and call attention to governmental inaction there--but with New Orleans' luck, the "drive-by" media will probably have moved on from Obama by then.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21404Mon, 18 Dec 2006 21:36:28 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21404Olivia, Peoria, Ill.And per Desmond--intriguing how green is the new black...http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21422Mon, 18 Dec 2006 22:25:46 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21422Brandon Makoroff, Los Angeles, CaAnybody who says McCain is a shoe in, better look at his statements the last couple of weeks about Iraq. Most of Americans want us to get out, but Bush is said to be ready to add more troops to Iraq, and surprise so does McCain. If Bush sends more troops in and one man dies what do you think will be McCain's statement. He would say that he does not want anymore troops in, like he did when he caved in on the loss of our freedoms to Bush. There is another person who would rather tell us half truths and then sy he did not mean that. Let Obama or another Dem run this country for awhile and set us back on the ight roadhttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21486Tue, 19 Dec 2006 10:48:13 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21486Red White and Blue from the Midwest. Did it ever occur to you Libs that there are a good number of Conservatives who really aren't interested in "uniting" with you? Maybe we aren’t interested in “closing the income gap”. Maybe the lower wage earners should work harder on getting a better education. Plus, an industrial nation needs lower income workers to keep it going. That is just the nature of the beast. Maybe we aren’t interested in universal health care. It is ruining the countries in Europe that have it. I am not interested in paying 51 percent of my income in taxes and anther 19 per cent in sales taxes (Germany) just to support more social programs. And maybe most of all, we don’t want to unite with a political party who rallies behind roe v wade. Which by the way, will kill more Americans this month than the entire Iraq war has done so far. I don’t give a rat’s butt about your perceived loss of civil liberties. If you are calling to the Middle East to talk to terrorists then I think the USofA should listen to every word you have to say. If you are caught hanging out with known enemies of the US then you go to prison with them. Your mom told you would be judged by the company you keep, you should have listened. If you want to unite, then unite with me and the people who feel the way I do. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21488Tue, 19 Dec 2006 10:55:20 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21488David, Cin OHVirginia from Oregon, it is naive to expect an election on the issues in this country at this time. There are no veiled references to Hillary's gender. I'm pretty sure she is a woman. If we close her eys and pretend she is something she isn't, well, all we have done is close our eyes to the obvious. I prefer her politics over most. I recognize her intelligence is superior to most. Her political skills match those of the master, her "beautiful spouse" Bill. But come on, our voters don't vote on the issues, they vote on what the spin doctors tell them is important. And the 2008 version of the Swift Boaters will have more crap to throw at a Hillary candidacy than any other. I'm not saying we should be intimidated by those idiots, but I think lack of baggage, whether real or imagined, is preferable to a provenover-loaded samsonite. I would vote for Hillary. Darn, I fantasize about voting for Bill again. Those two votes were the most proud votes of my life. What we would want to see and what we will see are totally different. Dems must not squander this opportunity. I do feel Bayh has what it takes to get elected. We need another Bill Clinton to come in and keep the Dems' mojo moving in the right direction (not right as in left, but forward, as opposed to on it's face). http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21504Tue, 19 Dec 2006 14:30:46 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21504Amy B. MERed White and Blue from the Midwest has done us all a favor by articulating the views of a large portion of Americans. I know I've heard similar opinions expressed in Maine. Now it is up to the rest of us to explain 1). Why the widening gap between rich and poor represents a threat to our national prosperity. A heavy concentration of wealth in the top 1% is a hallmark of a third world country. It is just not a good sign that our middle class is slipping into debt. 2) How the high cost of American health care cripples our ability to compete in the world, just ask the large automakers, 3). That protecting civil liberties is a core American value and not a sign of "weakness." There are legal ways to listen in on phone calls, it is not necessary to shred the constituition to do so, and it lowers our standing in the world to kidnap, torture, and incarcerate suspects, illegally. 4). Abortion is illegal in manny Catholic countries in this world. It might be educational to R, W and B to read about the trials of women in those countries who performed abortions on themselves, and imagine that happening to his neighbor, and the predicament of doctors who must stand by and watch a woman's fallopian tube burst because they can't "abort" the fetus growing there. I can understand being against abortion, but not to be so fanatical that you don't understand why compassionate people might feel it should be legal. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21528Tue, 19 Dec 2006 16:08:44 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21528JJ in NJIf I were going to vote for a first-term Senator it would be Jim Webb, not Barack Obama. Obama has learned the art of kowtowing to the right from his mentor Joe Lieberman, and I don't need to be scolded by him about being nice to the Christofascist Zombie Brigade. Jim Webb has military experience, national government experience, and he's a social progressive to boot. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21554Tue, 19 Dec 2006 18:21:40 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21554Who needs your chicken hawk self?R,W&B - WE the people - better than you other people, demand this country for our own selfish ends, Amen. Nobody wants to "unite" with you fascists.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21599Tue, 19 Dec 2006 21:11:56 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21599RW&B MidwestAbout the same liberal crap I expected. I can't understand why Americans continue to believe that abortion should be a means of birth control. It just sickens me. As you said yourself, Amy, my view is one which is articulated by many. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21618Tue, 19 Dec 2006 22:53:06 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21618Still Crazy After All These YearsRW&B, I'm glad my mother was not your mother.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#21692Wed, 20 Dec 2006 15:09:14 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21692Amy B MERW&B Midwest, well, I too agree that abortion should not be used as a form of birth control. That's why it staggers me that the administration blocked making the morning- after pill available over the counter and why it is not offered to all rape vicims who go to the hospital after an attack (only in some states. Yours? Find out!)The morning after pill prevents a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus when taken a few hours after conception. Have you seen the pictures on your state sex offender website? Not exactly a bunch of Brad Pitts. Believe me, if your niece was molested by one of these guys, you would want her to have the morning after pill. And, looking at these guys, you might also start to understand why women have risked their lives to terminate unwanted pregnancies. I am glad you are against abortion, I am too, but from what I know about reality, I believe abortion must remain legal because women will terminate unwanted pregnancies, endangering themselves and causing more tragedies. I believe the morning after pill should be available to those who request it, and that is one reason I do not support "conservative" candidates who think pregnacy is a suitable "punishment" for having, or being forced to have, sex. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#22083Thu, 21 Dec 2006 19:36:33 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:22083Man I hate hypocritesRW&B - You know what sickens me? People who think rights are granted by God until a fetus is born, and then you can send anyone to war or death row. You know - people who spew about how wrong abortion is and then say something like how they don't give a rat's butt about my loss of civil liberties? You know - people who hide behind patriotism and don't even believe what they're spewing? How many children have you adopted? How many unwanted children have you helped IN ANY WAY, other than your santimonious campaigning for additional company for them? http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#22455Sat, 23 Dec 2006 21:56:41 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:22455Mudhole MomTo red white and blue.....spoken like a true redneck! You and those who think like you just don't GET IT. You think all problems that people have can be solved with one simplistic solution...work harder!! Yeah right, thank goodness we have intelligent people who know better and realize we don't all fit one mold of the human existance.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/16/21163.aspx#23034Thu, 28 Dec 2006 04:18:03 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:23034Jane, Southern MississippiRW&B from the Midwest, are you talking about the USA when you say an industrial nation? Most factory jobs are being sent to third world countries, except the ones like meat packing. That would cost the companies too much money because they would have to ship the cattle too. So those jobs are still here. But just look at who keeps getting arrested at the meat packing plants - illegal immigrants. So tell me, don't you think we are losing our industrial title? Plenty of service jobs, a lot of them low-paying jobs. But the factory jobs that paid good money, are for the most part, gone.