I normally don't get into political discussions (since no one wins, since no one ever changes their mind), but Obama -- or any Democrat for that matter -- is what the country needs. Not for policy, but to show the world that we need to shift. "W" ruined our international reputation, and we need to show the world that we want to rectify our image.

I am not pleased with the actions our administration has taken, and I'm not sure I'll like Obama's ideas, but it will change our country's image for the rest of the world, and we need that.

I agree. I tend to see Obama as kind of telling it like it is and not trying to pull a quick one or talk down to people. Also, I just feel he seems like a good guy overall.

I sit on the fence with Obama.

It isn't anything that others have said about him or even anything he has done per se, its more about what he's not saying.

He, like any other politician, panders to his audience. I love the commercials that say he will raise taxes on corporations that send jobs overseas while bring jobs back to the US. Just how exactly is he going to do this?

It does not take a graduate level education in economics to understand that as long as we as a society flock to Wal-Mart and expect Wal-Mart prices, that Wal-Mart goods need to be made off-shore. The alternative is for Americans to actually accept the low wages necessary to provide cheap products.

If you want cheap produce, it either needs to come from South America or farm workers need to be happy with $3 an hour. You can't have cheap produce and high wages - it just doesn't work that way.

Basically, Obama is riding the wave of "Vote for me, I am different", without any real substance behind the statement.

However, no matter who wins in 2008, Barack, Hillary or John, as a nation we will be much better off.

Well, I think it could be argued that no president can make or break the nation on the basis of legislation alone since it requires Congress to back it. In fact, I kind of like it when the White House is in one party and Congress the other. It kind of balances things out. Obviously waging a war on false pretenses, that can certainly tank things.

I disagree that they speak in ambiguities though. Both Obama and Clinton have reasonably detailed action plans on the things they find most important. The level of detail is adequate, I think, since no president will get all of the specifics they want in reaching compromises with Congress. There's plenty of substance if you look for it. News sound bites and TV spots are never enough to vote on, though I suspect far too many people do vote on just those slivers of information.

I think the truth about economic leadership is that we don't have the smart people here to innovate anymore. We're too far bogged down in established industries. I mean, look at all of the "green tech" out there. Be the first to market with something sweet and affordable, and you'll be rich. Instead we're stuck on giant cars and the established oil infrastructure. That sucks.

I do think that personality comes in to play for that reason in the long run, because having someone able to set a tone goes a long way. It's true at most any level of organization, from a small family on up to big public companies.

On the subject of trade, I have to say that the idealist in me says enough with the protectionist bullshit. You wanna play on the global stage? Then make something that will sell and is of reasonable quality. The days of the auto line worker making six figures are over.

Just had to chuckle a little when I visited Jeff's blog and found a Google ad to the right telling me to "Join the GOP!"

I do think that personality comes in to play for that reason in the long run, because having someone able to set a tone goes a long way. It's true at most any level of organization, from a small family on up to big public companies.

That's where I think Obama has the edge. Even if one were to argue Clinton is not pandering and spinning, she comes across like she is. I have to wonder about her ability to change the way the US is perceived by other countries. Obama has the personality and, I believe, the ability to work with and compromise with both congress and leaders of other countries. He has a way of setting people at ease whereas Clinton tends to make people wary.

I'm with Eric and I appreciate the intelligent and unemotional way he can express his view points. Many, particularly when it comes to politcal debating, cannot seem to do that.

I think there is way too much emphasis being put on this election as a means to change the image of America. No president will be able to do that and not certainly in a single term.

We as the people of the nation have to look at our image and consider the ways we can change it ourselves. Likewise, as Eric points out, we have to consider what we demand in consumerism and how that creates the very issues we want someone else to change.

In my opinion, the scariest outcome we could have to this election would be a selection based solely on being "different", "non-Republican", "a representative of a cohort like women or african americans", and "anyone but George W. Bush".

Sorry, that post above was from me.

I think Bush is so terrible that those generalizations are inevitable, unfortunately.

And I agree about the image thing. Americans have to stop being ignorant bastards in general. Someone said to Diana the other day that they wouldn't vote for Obama because he's Muslim. Not only is he Christian, but why would you write off an entire religion because of some fanatics? I mean, Protestants and Catholics spent decades blowing shit up in Ireland, and I'm pretty sure Christians aren't all radical terrorists.

Soundbites, perceptions, images ... God help us all if we are making decisions based on those. Senator Obama has considerable "substance", both in himself and his positions. Get past the media, look at the man and those around him and listen to what he is saying. As those that know me can tell you I tend to lean heavily to the conservative side, but I will never close my mind. This guy is for real and so is his message. What I find most refreshing is he consistantly has talked about what "we" must do, not just what "he" will do. Obama brings us into the process, no, he insists we must be part of the process. "Change is NOT easy" is part of the message, but together "we CAN change"

Take your time, review his positions and vote with your intellect ... but whatever your ultimate choice ... vote and be part of the change.