The Dark Night Ahead

I feel compelled from time to time to reassure the many Obama enthusiasts among my small audience that I, too, am moved by the promise. One would have to be both dead and embalmed not to be affected by the promise this man holds out... for a return to grace on the international stage, to the dominance of reason and intellect over bullying in foreign policy. I remember when he said that he rose out of Chicago politics and could handle the fight. I remember when he used to challenge the Republican framing of security-vs-civil rights.

I remember just six months ago when he said this (via FDL):

Ever since 9/11, this Administration has put forward a false choice between the liberties we cherish and the security we demand.

The FISA court works. The separation of power works. We can trace, track down and take out terrorists while ensuring that our actions are subject to vigorous oversight, and do not undermine the very laws and freedom that we are fighting to defend.

No one should get a free pass to violate the basic civil liberties of the American people -- not the President of the United States, and not the telecommunications companies that fell in line with his warrantless surveillance program. We have to make clear the lines that cannot be crossed. . . .

But I was just one of those bitter, old Hillary pragmatists who wanted to see some beef before we bought the sandwich.

Yet I digress...

This is a post about why -- even as I encourage you to take action to move him on FISA, I urge everyone to support his candidacy with all your might.

Evil simply cannot triumph in this case:

Because if Obama thought Hillary was rough, he ain’t seen nothin’ yet. This post from Ian Welsh at FDL is a must read.

Rove's students are now in charge of Obama's campaign.

Mr. Schmidt's elevation is the latest sign of increasing influence of veterans of Mr. Rove's campaign efforts in the McCain operation. Nicolle Wallace, who was communications director for Mr. Bush in the 2004 campaign and in his White House, has joined the campaign as a senior adviser, and will travel with Mr. McCain every other week. Greg Jenkins, another veteran of Mr. Rove's operation, has joined the McCain communications operation.

And finally, remembering a recent conversation with one of my best friends, who didn’t believe (at first) the story in which McCain publicly called his own wife a c*&t, I feel compelled to promote the latest-emerging evidence that John McCain is unstable.