So, first off, I apologize if this diary is a bit long-winded or esoteric.  It's just something I have been thinking about for some time, particulary in light of the recent ugliness in the Democratic race, sniping from people in both the Clinton and Obama camps, and accusations thrown by supporters of each candidate about the supporters of the other.  It also comes after years of ranting, especially by myself, about how we don't focus enough on the "issues" while campaigning, voting, or electing public officials.  We blame the media. We blame candidates.  We blame the supporters of people who don't like our candidate, throwing around pejorative terms and accusations, or patronizingly think of them as "ignorant" or "uninformed" for voting against our interests, or what we perceive to be their interests.  At the end of the day, it may just be that people, more often than not, vote based upon emotion, or irrationality, and this is simply part of the democratic process that we will always have to deal with.

More after the jump...

In recent months and weeks, I've had a lot of casual conversations with supporters of various candidates, mostly my friends and family, mostly living in the New York area, or with origins there.  It's a mix of 20somethings (my friends), who are mostly progressive-identified with a few exceptions, and older 50- and 60-somethings, identifying as "liberal" or "moderate," again with a few exceptions.  Focusing on those supporting Obama or Hillary, I've begun to notice how there really seems to be a different focus on different qualities of these candidates, which can be tied to their views on the Bush administration, American politics, and the role of the President.  This may sound vague and obvious, but hear me out after the jump...

As the recent months and weeks have progressed, I have found myself reading DailyKos less and less, commenting less and less, and looking to other media more than ever.  The shrill nonsense coming from people from various wings of the party, and camps from both major dem candidates has been, for lack of a better word, insane.

I came into this primary season as a John Edwards supporter.  I liked his unabashedly progressive platform, his willingness to take on powerful interests, and his plainspoken appeal to Americans of all stripes.  Eventually, he didn't get there.  He dropped out, and I moved on to support Senator Obama.  I thought he was the closest to Edwards that we had, a very good Senator with an ability to remain progressive while still working with those who disagreed with him.  However, I had, and continue to have, no real problem with Hillary Clinton, and would be happy to support her when the general election comes around.  I guess I can't say the same for a lot of the people here.  And while there is nothing wrong with that, the way people have gone about their politicking has been pretty disgusting.

As a former resident of the Great State of New Jersey, I am familiar with the name Christopher J. Christie, the current U.S. attorney in the state, a Bush appointee.  Christie was consistently portrayed as "aggressive" and willing to take on corrupt politicians in a state known for sleaze and corruption.  Today, it becomes clear that Christie himself was the sleazies of the bunch, through illegal no-bid contracts and politically-driven, trumped-up cases.  The irony, folks. The irony.

As I was reading the NY Times online today (gasp! -- sorry msm haters), there was a blog entry (including the standard bloodspitting commenters from both sides of the aisle) regarding the interesting fact that Colin Powell has yet to make an endorsement, and is considering playing either side of the field.

It focused on the influence Powell has, particularly as a so-called "moderate" facing a primary season in which our guys are deadlocked (although Obama does have the Big Mo), the other guys appear to be getting closer to a deadlock, and we're approaching a general election that could, once again, be very close.  Further, it discussed Powell's political stature, stemming from his experience as Sec. of State and Chair of the Joint Chiefs (or should it be Chieves?) of Staff.  But it failed to mention something potentially huge:
The possibility that, in exchange for an endorsement (if it matters - and please discuss this in the comments, if you have any opinion on it), Powell may be given the VP nod.

I write this note because it is Super Tuesday, and because of the e-mails, the notes, etc., that I have received regarding Barack Obama's candidacy, what I hope will be his future presidency, and people's odd, cultlike devotion to his campaign.

In truth, I was an Edwards supporter until he dropped out of the race. His attention and devotion to the problems facing the nation's most vulnerable citizens was needed this campaign season, and would provide a great new direction for this country in the coming years.

That being said, when he dropped out, I decided to support Barack Obama. I am supporting him because he is a progressive, and a viable one at that. I am supporting him because of his nuanced approach to foreign policy, his ability to remain progressive while working with those with whom he disagrees with, and because he has sold out to the Bush agenda less than Hillary. (However, I would still support Hillary in a general election should she win the nomination.) The fact that this guy is a progressive democrat who can fill a 20,000 person arena in Boise, Idaho.

We, as a nation are at a crossroads.  I think this sentiment is somewhat shared throughout the DailyKos community.  However, I think the way this crossroads is seen by people within this community is slightly off, and I hope you will at least humor me here, as I explain.

I'm not a fan of the New York Post.  I'm not a fan of John Podhoretz, as I often find him to be one of the most knee-jerk neo-cons out there.  I will sometimes read the "other" Post to get a sense of what my opposition is thinking, and to get a general barometer of the segment of the conservative movement that I call the "Oh Yeah???" conservatives (i.e. the crazy foreign policy, indignant, wannabe tough-guy conservatives).  That being said, Podhoretz just admitted that we on the left are winning. Big.

http://www.nypost.com/...