Not many people seem to be reading this article anymore, but I have one more thought. The last seven years have all but destroyed the US's reputation around the world. As someone with many friends in other countries, I know how popular Obama is in other countries, especially in Africa and southeast Asia. That's not to say that we should let foreigners dictate the leaders of our government, but the fact that Obama has personal ties to Indonesia and Kenya will go a long way toward helping foreigners understand that the US is not an ignorant bully, and repairing the damage that has been done by Bush.

cat: Glad to hear back from you. The bill Obama sponsored prohibiting dinners from lobbyists was certainly a step in the right direction. I'm not sure why there would be a distinction between standing up and sitting down, but suffice to say I'm sure he's not the only one who had input in the writing of the bill. I would argue that what this country needs now is a president like John F. Kennedy who can inspire the nation to be proud of itself again, and direct us to great things. I see this in Obama. I hate it that Hillary is comparing him to Bush. As far as personality and character, they couldn't be more different.

You say Hillary has 7 years in the senate, and Obama has only 2. Did it occur to you that Hillary was elected in 2000, and Obama in 2004? That's 4 years difference, not 5. Somehow you are using different criteria to determine how long each of them has been in the senate. And in the nature of your candidate, you say this immediately after admonishing someone else for "distorting the facts."

Anyway, I think Obama's time in the Illinois state senate has to count for something.

John McCain could beat Hillary. No question. To be fair, all of the Democratic candidates would do similar things while in the white house, as far as policy goes. But Hillary Clinton, mostly to no fault of her own, is loathed by Republicans, and she would have a much harder time getting anything done.

John Edwards appeals to emotions far more than the other two. I don't want to be motivated by anger or fear. Plus, Edwards has even less experience in politics than Obama.

Anyway, the other candidates seem to be underestimating the value of the president's ability to motivate people. JFK and FDR were great presidents precisely because they had those qualities.