I voted for Obama in Ohio. While I was disappointed by his loss there, I wasn't surprised. The Clintons have courted Ohio for almost two decades (when Bill was President it was said his pit stops in Columbus were so frequent that the GOP governor Voinovich got angry at having to wait in the airport for Airforce One to clear before his own plane could leave.)

I think part of the appeal of Obama is that voters of widely different backgrounds can see some of themselves in him, moreso than other candidates. I feel that I can relate to him (or the persona he is marketing) more than Hilary. But I'm aware that I'll never know the "real" President Obama until after the fact, if he does win. Just as the vast majority of those who voted for Bill in '92 or GWB in '00 had no idea what they were getting us into.

No, no, Chris, that doesn't work - we need 8 years of Jeb Bush first - according to the Mainstream Media, Chelsea isn't due to take office till 2024.

Just read this - McCain's reaction to the Obama debacle:

Asked about the controversy Wright's comments have created, Republican John McCain said while campaigning in Denver: "I can only say that I am sure, knowing Senator Obama, that he does not share the extreme views that were expressed that I saw on television."

Why can't Hillary be more like McCain???

Speaking of things I like about McCain - anyone read the profile of his daughter Meghan in the latest GQ?  She's got a great head on her shoulders and is smokin' hot.  I'm not voting for McCain - Obama's got my vote (even if I have to write him in!) but McCain's not all bad. 

Steve and Mike, unfortunately for a lot of people, especially people that don't follow politics that closely,  the Democrat choices of Clinton and Obama is because of the "First" syndrome.  Some people want Hillary because she will be the "First" woman president, and others want Obama because he would be the "First" black president.

Not a majority of voters (I hope!), but there seems to be enough that feel that way.

IMO "first" as a syndrome doesn't hold water. If that were the case, Jesse Jackson would have had more success in his presidential campaigns.

"Why can't Hillary be more like McCain???"

I think that's because his presidential hopes lay not in beating up Obama, but in GWB's relative success (or lack of failures) in '08. McCain's platform is ostensibly pro-war. I think his chance for victory is very good if Iraq stays relatively calm.

Neil, your post made me laugh. I hadn't thought about using my mod powers for evil.

Mike, it would be a bet I would be happy to lose. However, I don't think the forum is the best place to put down any money wagering. Even for charity. (Code for email me.)  

Don't be so hasty in waiting, Kevin - why not?  Let's start making our Obama dream team - should we assume that Richardson is a strong contender for VP?  Any other ideas? 

Local scuttlebutt is that Virginia governor Tim Kaine is also on the short list.