Well, I have to admit to being a bit baffled by LH's rather apoplectic--thanks for giving me the excuse to use that word-- posting of 12:02 AM 23 Jan. We have had our disagreements on other threads. But I have had very little occasion to have friction with him on this thread, for the very good reason that I believe we're on the same page on Obama--, for a host of reasons ,his candidacy is the best thing that's happened to the US in decades--especially since, as the Democratic nominee, he stands an excellent chance of winning--far better than Hillary.

Admittedly, I am disappointed in the number of Mudcatters who fail to realize this. They must be waiting for the Second Coming--of Karl Marx.

Richard--

You're still "enquiring"? I'm afraid it did not seem so in the thread you started--with your cute little sketches of the candidates. Sounded like arch superiority, complete conviction on your part, and, in the grand tradition of the Red Queen--what was it? -- "Sentence first, trial later?"--for the candidates.    But perhaps I was mistaken.

Amos--

I completely agree --that WSJ article was fascinating. Perhaps the most riveting aspect of it was the detail as to how Obama is totally upending the old order in South Carolina. Hillary's state director was quoted as saying; "we have a political machine unmatched by any other in the state." So if Obama wins--and in a southern state-- it's a sea change in politics--and probably not just in South Carolina.