david knowles9:54AMFeb 8th 2008

Ellie,

Thanks for commenting. Is it possible that Hillary and Obama are both brilliant?

Ellie10:08AMFeb 8th 2008

I understand that Obama is scared of Clinton that's why in as much as possibel he don't want to spent time with her for a debate...chicken Obama!!!!

Ellie10:08AMFeb 8th 2008

I used to love Oprah but with her endorsement to Obama..I think she's nothing but a races. With her comment about Obama as brilliant! She's dead wrong! Birds of the feather flocks together....Brilliant is for Hillary not for Obama.I don't actually like Hillary but it change my mind....Go Hillary...

cathcartassoc10:19AMFeb 8th 2008

david knowles9:54AMFeb 8th 2008

Ellie,

Thanks for commenting. Is it possible that Hillary and Obama are both brilliant?


Doubtful.

david knowles10:24AMFeb 8th 2008

Cathcartassoc,

Thanks for your response. So it's either/or, or do you think both of them to be of an average intelligence?

william11:09AMFeb 8th 2008

Knowles:

If you are tired of "Waking Up" then maybe you should look at the real issues.....Economic Decline...i.e. Housing Market...Do you think that our Foreign Policy has anything to do with all of this....HUH! We spend billions on bases overseas, giving other countries like Pakistan money to get rid of TERRORISTS...Constantly playing world cop and getting our asses kicked.....remember when Russia tried to invade Afganistan....they couldn't do it and neither can we....we will not defeat the so called Terrorists or EXTREME FUNDAMENTALISTS etcetera....What we need is a new foreign policy...because remember the KOREAN WAR...never won....VIETNAM...never won.....DESERT STORM...never won....IRAQ...never going to win....but we will rebuild there infrastructure...all the while our education systems get worse...our infrastructure gets worse...our LIBERTIES become less and less..just read the PATRIOT ACT...or is it the IDIOT AC...HUH WAIT: I KNOW: WHEN THEY ELECT THE NEXT IDIOT WHO WILL ENACT SOCIALIZED MEDICINE...and give us a socialized economy AHHHHHHHHHHHHH....THEN WE WILL BE SAVED...HUH!
THERE IS ONLY ONE REAL CHOICE RON PAUL..FREEDOM...I think maybe that word freedom scares you because people like you would rather give up freedom for a false sense of security....you deserve neither!

Brad Woodliff11:10AMFeb 8th 2008

America, well, is on a slippery slope. Seems they, The Federal Reserve, back in 1913 got its way. Now, it is going to reap all that it has planted. Free Credit isn't free and the loan debacle is bigger than the 80's bust of the savings and loan failures. This is a worldwide slide. Get ready, America is not going to end up on top after this. Belt tightening isn't going to stop the suffering that is about to be. The Great Depression will seem a mere drop in the market compared to this horse in stride. The Federal Reserve nor Congress can do any thing to repair this failing.
In fact, I think they are totally frightened by the implications for America and the world. Oh, what shall they do??? Believe me, they'll come up with something!

There will be a wholesale change in Congress ta boot, soon. Times, they are a changing. Not for the better, but far, far, far worse.

Alex11:27AMFeb 8th 2008

I agree with you that there are a lot of bloggers that walk around with doomsday billboards around their collars. However, you too have been guilty as a blogger/columnist of hyperbole. I guess the only difference being that you're not as passionate about your blogs. You can read passionate as insane.

david knowles11:35AMFeb 8th 2008

Alex,

Thanks for your comment. I am quite passionate about my beliefs, but, as a novelist, I'm also very concerned with empathy for the views of others. I guess the big point in this post wasn't that there aren't serious issues facing the planet, rather that some people insist on defining the world in terms of those who are asleep and those who are awake. You can give the WAKE UP treatment to any issue. I'm not sure it's a helpful way of looking at the world.

letmetellya11:37AMFeb 8th 2008

It's easy to be a critic and most of the critics are low achieving losers. Rarely does one step into the ring of life, like Obama and Hillary, and strive for a lofty goal such as becoming President. I have nothing bad to say about neither one of them. They both have the courage to step forth and reach for the gold. Kudos to both!

PORSCHE0811:42AMFeb 8th 2008

Poor Ellie you sound so misguided and uneducated "racist" you represent the typical reason why this country is the way it is,and not progressive because of that kind of thinking. What ashame! Obama 08:)

Lee11:43AMFeb 8th 2008

Dear Mr. Knowles...even at the risk of being accused of"taking your bait" MYSELF...(there's your caps, AND I threw in quotation marks just for good measure)...at least I "GET it". But check out the other comment on this board. Sheesh. Gotta love it.

ed hillfiker11:48AMFeb 8th 2008

I was intrigued with Obama at first, but the more I see, the more I am growing leery.

First, his campaign has made much of Bill and Hillary's 'attacks' on him, yet I recall it was HIS campaign that DREW FIRST BLOOD with the tasteless apocalyptic scare tactic commercial depicting Hillary as some kind of 1984 dictator.

The Clintons have been on the defense since and it's not because he's black, but because he is a political opponent who struck first.

Secondly, watching Obama and crew on Super Tuesday results seemed to reek of a Southern Baptist church gathering.

Third, Hillary does have a plan for Health Care and the fact that we do not have a Universal health Care plan is a criminal outrage.

Obama cowtoes to Republicans a bit much and he has not made health care an issue at all, siding with the conservatives there.

His bragging that he has raised more cash than the Clintons also reeks of tackiness and the Oprah endorsement seems too Hollywood and superficial.

I need to look thoroughly into the issues and see who is tougher on crime, immigration (both are spiraling out of red flag control), along with economic recovery, Iraq and terrorism.

The 90s were a good decade, economically and beyond.
The Clintons are tried and true and I will probably vote that way.

Mr. Clark11:49AMFeb 8th 2008

David Knowles,

Keen eye as always. I try and approach The Political Machine as a place where I can participate in politics in a way that I never have. I now have a vote and an opinion.

I just read the columnist's opinion on a subject...usually twice, as I have missed the point on more than one occasion and see if I have something to contribute. I store facts from several sources that may be of use someday. But, I am under no illusion that I can or will change anybody else's mind. I try to address the columnist only and if I do enter the fray...reading the comment section...is where I usually run into trouble.

I have been gearing more toward making my points without destroying another candidate in the process. I consider it a failure now if I can't do that. Lately, it has been a mixed bag for me. Which probably means I am taking it all too seriously/personally or something else isn't going as planned in my life.

I recently realized that maybe I am done. A good sign of that, for me, is when I start to become redundant and defensive. Now, it will be like quitting smoking. I'll probably have to slowly withdraw from blogging. But, the truth is I don't think I have anything original left to contribute...at least not from this vantage point. Probably a good time to move on.

Sincerely and respectfully,

Mr. Clark

Alex11:50AMFeb 8th 2008

Clinton has a better chance to win the general election. Her demographics are more favorable. Women and older citizens turn out to vote for her. Remember the soccer moms. It isn't sexist to vote for Clinton because she is a woman, if you yourself are a woman. It would be about time. She is qualified. And in that voting booth, I feel a lot of woman would feel empowered to vote for her. The same can be said for Obama and African Americans. It is not racist. It is about time. Guys have historically been voting for male cadidates just for being a guy; one they can have a "beer" with. I say this being niether black or female.

Tony11:54AMFeb 8th 2008

Interesting comments.Though I believe your points go to the extreme side,I understand they are to make a point.None the less,most voters need to do some homework instead of believing mass media to tell you who to vote for.My .02 is that if you want more of a euro style government,then by all means,pull the lever for Hillary or Obamma.If you want buisness as usuall,throw your vote to the republicans.Now you have to ask yourself a question....who am I better off with? I know that scenario isn't the best but that is what it boils down to.

PORSCHE0811:54AMFeb 8th 2008

We all need to wake up! Hillary didn't even mention the word "Change" until it became so popular for Obama's campaign. It's so obvious she is just being coached by Billary and really isn't genuine and will say anything to get elected. What you want McCain in office yeap another Republican to screw this country up further for another four years. Poeple gravitate towards Barrack because of his true sincerity and true belief that he can change this nation for the positive. Go Obama! 08

robocop12:05PMFeb 8th 2008

I truly believe that all possible canidates need/MUST have a psychological evaluation prior to the vote and finding devulged to the public. That way we don't our selves another bummer.

ron12:07PMFeb 8th 2008

Obama seems to have the most level head. truth will prevail aa will obama

ron12:09PMFeb 8th 2008

Mccain is another supporter of the war.....
do you really want another war????
As a pow himself, probably has a vendetta