With respect to the elitism accusation, that's too simplistic, Nate. Way too simplistic. You, of all people, should know better. Each politician is unique.

Even "W" actually made his way through business school. And why do you begrudge a man for having a well-connected family prepared to back him up? Is that somehow immoral in your book?

And to over-generalize by claiming that "pretty much all of our politicians are to a degree like that" is such an exercise in cynicism. If you really feel that way, I would invite you to jump into the arena and start making a difference. Have you ever worked for a political candidate? Have you ever been one?

With respect to Obama's "clinging" comment, I suspect that what he was trying to say is that, for many people who face hard times, they find continuing comfort and security in their religion. His references to guns, fair trade, and illegal immigration were odd, except insofar as he was identifying so-called "wedge" issues that have been prominent in recent years. Still, I think too much is being made of this one incident. He was speaking in San Francisco for goodness sake. To please his audience there, he could have said far more outrageous things than that.

Frankly, I think Obama's voting record is more disturbing than any of the associational smearing going on right now.

Every politician is unique, yes, but when you get to the national level they seem to become more and more homogenous. That's what I was talking about, by the way: national politicians. I should have said that.

I do try to make a difference, but for most people running for office isn't the way to do that. I think a lot of people run for national office hoping to make a difference, and after a few years they become part of the "system".

It's hardly accurate to say that President Bush "made his way through business school". The man was never more than an average student, yet he kept moving on to bigger and better things. Besides being rescued from bad grades (remember when he famously said "I'm proof that you can get a C average and still become President"?), he was rescued from going to Vietnam, and was saved from multiple bad business investments. Just for the record, no, I don't begrudge him his connections, nor do I think it's immoral. I was only saying that the President is a master at playing the "workin' man" image even though he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. I was making the ironic point that although he is far more priveleged than Obama, he manages to come off as far less elite.

I grant you the point. W comes off as far less of an elitist than Obama. But that may be because he really is less elitist. Have you seen his house in Texas? Compare that with the one being built for Obama's pastor.

I really hate to point this out on an otherwise great blog, but the variant pronunciation of "nuclear" is an accepted and widespread form. See: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nuclear

It's a shame that 'politics is still POLITICS', even when one doesn't want to play the game. I totally respect Senator Obama for trying to be above/better than this stupid political bickering. Does that, too; make him elitist? What is so wrong with speaking your mind? Obama was totally correct about 'middle America' and the more important point was...people have more self-esteem and are more 'open-minded' when they have jobs! All anyone has to do is look at the mindset of people in the later 90's (when everyone was working) and the mindset of the last several years (when many in the Midwest are not working). It is not rocket science. Huge 'blame games' are being played over and over daily here in Michigan. And finally, spoiled little boy GWB; despite his down on the farm personification, never had to work a day of his life! Let's not kid ourselves here. On the other hand, coming from Obama's background and building a presidency from the ground (streets) on up......is truly, the American way!