Amos,

"while almost every time I have heard barak explain something he seems thoughtful, willing to look at himself as honestly as possible, and more interested in communicating than in lying."

So, I will presume you have no problem with those of us (who see in Barack's explaination an attempt to salvage political power instead of standing by his previous statements) treating Obama as you have treated Bush- since it "seems" that Obama would now abandon even his grandmother ( equivalanced BY Obama to his minister) away if it gets him political effect.

At least I thought that in some cases Bush ( whether right or wrong) actually believed what he was saying.

I would like to support Obama- I do think that he is correct in trying to move away from the politics of division. Unfortunately, those supporting him here on Mudcat do not give me any confidence that he means it any more than other politicians. They seem dedicated to the politics of division, and not interested in even trying to understand what others might be thinking, or might feel about various topics.