//Four years ago, many people thought that the netroots will turn Howard Dean into the next president. He was brought down by a single scream, which apparently did not sound presidential. Or was there more?//

There is one thing that Howard Dean lacked compared to Obama, and it was charisma. Yes, unfortunately, in the US, this will often be the deciding factor for a vote.

I've met Senator B.Obama when he was running for Senator. He lived..lives? in Hyde Park in Chicago, and this is where my daughter was living at the time. He was very nice, friendly, and yes...charismatic. Would I vote for him in the Primary's? I'm not too sure. I'm concerned about many things, one being his signature on a Bankruptsy bill, that was, IMO, a travesty. That shook me to my marrow and I wrote to him, via e-mail, to tell him so. To my disappointment, the return "answer" to my very polite questions was nothing more than a form letter telling me all the great things that Obama is doing for our state. That tells me, that he has become too big for his britches and doesn't care what his constituents think. So, or now...he doesn't get my vote. It's one thing to put on a smile when you meet someone, it's another thing to really listen to their concerns. He didn't listen to my concerns.

On the other hand, someone mentioned the race for President in France. I just read an article in the Chicago Tribune this morning about this race and about S. Royal. It sounded as if she is good with the public relations, but never has a real answer on what to do about the issues. I hope France doesn't fall into the trap of electing someone for their charisma....look what Bush did to us! All I heard, when Bush was running for President was that he was the kind of guy they would like to sit and have a beer with. I would rather vote for a President who is competent and knows what he is talking about. I don't care what color, gender, or how beautiful they are...give me someone who knows how to fix the domestic and foreign policies in the US!

JW

Sometimes those who rise to the top too quickly, fall with a resounding thud, just as quickly.

This may be a problem for Obama

http://tinyurl.com/yb75n5

How he handles this dilemma will be interesting. Bush seemed to have overcome all that was said about his drinking, drug use (along with Laura's drug use), and his ditching his military service. That doesn't mean Obama will be able to get away with anything, though. The right wing swiftboaters are ruthless and the Democrats haven't shown themselves to be willing to fight back as they should. I have the feeling, although this story is not too big as of yet, it will grow with intensity as we approach the primary elections.

Well..regarding his apology to Lovelady, Obama doesn't have any qualms about admitting when he was wrong, this is true. This is the ONE thing that I like about him. Unlike our current president who just can't think of anything he'd done wrong (sigh) since he was President... Also, Obama does have a great sense of humor. In times like these, we all need a laugh from time to time. But, like Lovelady, until I actually get an answer to my questions as to why he signed that bill and stood behind Bush in that photo-op, he won't have my vote.