He's only got 55-60% support from them, meaning 35-40% are supporting Obama.  How freakin' weird is that???

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Bush only got 60% of the evangelical vote.

No way is McCain picking Jindal for VP. You can't call Obama inexperienced and then pick a 36 year old to be your VP.

former exorcist on Republican Veep Shortlist

At least he's a FORMER exorcist... 

Or are exorcists like alcoholics?  Are you ALWAYS an exorcist?  Do you get chips the longer you go without performing an exorcism?

LOVE your artwork, that watercolor of your dog is wonderful.

Thank you, Jodi.  I'm doing a series of three: the one you saw, one of Stash jumping through a hoop (his best trick), and one of the look on his face just before he takes a dump. 

 Michael Roberts:

I don't think so. None of those other people you listed are especially
interesting speakers. Bush might have a folksy charm that works on some
people, but he was never a good speaker. Gore and Kerry were always
snoresville. Hilary doesn't have the charisma of her husband.

I was referring more to each candidate's perceived skill as an orator. You have GWB perceived as a stupid ass hillbilly who says things like 'misunderestimate', 'is our children learning?' and 'fool me once, shame on...uhhhh...' Then you have Obabma being seen as the best political orator since JFK, or even Reagan(which I personally think is overhyped, but it kind of makes sense, considering that no major candidate in the last 20 years has really knocked people out with their speechmaking skills).

I still think the main appeal of Obama for some voters (particularly the younger crowd who were never into politics before)  is that he 'sounds' better than any other candidate out there.

Bob:

I agree on your point about Obama's skills as an orator but I also agree with Jodi as it pertains to the quality of Obama's speeches.  I don't think its just skill.  Obama has very good speechwriters (and I think he writes some of them himself which I believe helps in the delivery).  He gets the beats needed for a good speech.  You'd be hard pressed to find someone who is as charismatic as Clinton yet his speechs often were tedious affiars.  Likewise, with the exception of the "thousand points of light speech" Bush 41 often sounded stilited and out of sequence.  Obama's speechs move you when you read them (specifically a "More Perfect Union").  Thats the hallmark of good writing. 

Al Sharpton is an exceptional orator -- I've heard him speak. He delivers speechs passionately and powerfully.  But his speechs tend to be drum and strang -- the substance is weak.  Obama's substance (even if you don't agree with it) is brilliantly organized and articulated. Add to that his skill as an orator and its easy to see why people are enamoured with him. 

 Obama's speechs move you when you read them (specifically a "More Perfect Union").  Thats the hallmark of good writing. 

I agree Geoff, when our house was the Obama campaign headquaters for our small town during the primary, we had all of the campaign materials and the one piece I kept ,was this giant brochure that had the complete speech in it. It is a beautiful speech.

The campaign worker that was here thought it would be a great piece to keep too, because it was one that wasn't given out much , very few were printed. He thought if Obama did indeed become president it would become a collectiable. I don't really care about that, I kept 2 , one each for my sons, I want them to see  that we can talk about the hard issues in a beautiful and very real way.

In 5-4 Decision the Supreme Court rules that prisioners held in Guantamo can appeal to United States Civilian Courts.  “The laws and Constitution are designed to survive, and remain in force, in extraordinary times,” wrote Justice Kennedy in the Majority Decision. 

Here's the link: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/13/washington/12cnd-gitmo.htm l?ex=1371009600&en=b6c3093458455a18&ei=5124&part ner=permalink&exprod=permalink