Bill D, you put that beautifully. I'm glad that Barack Obama is of both races. It's just fittin', a signal to the world that we so cavalierly flouted that we are heading in a different direction.

We *know* that someday the United States of America will have a Black president (as well, in time, a woman president, a president who is a Jew, a Hindu, a Chinese, a Japanese, a Filipino - whatever. This country was made strong by its mixed cultures and common aspirations. What does it matter what private religion the nominee espouses?) So why not NOW? If not NOW, WHEN?

Barack Obama is perfect for the moment, an intelligent, thoughtful, motivational, centered and focused symbol for the times. As Bill said, I don't envy him the job and I'm sure he is aware that the next president is going to take a beating, from both sides for a long time to come. Opponents will be hovering over him like a cat waiting for a mouse to move, his supporters will be defensive, knowing that any lasting improvement will take time. Both sides will be impatient, wishing for The Fix.