<p>Does anybody else feel the way I do? I don’t think I can take any more national bitterness and divisiveness. Obama HAS to get the nomination or I fear for my mental health. Although I don’t have a problem with Hillary Clinton, I don’t want to read or watch or hear the invective that will be poured out against her as the Democratic nominee. So I’ve been contributing to Obama as a mental health preventative measure. Have I already gone 'round the bend?</p>
<p>I feel the same way SuNa but I try and keep positive thoughts about the campaign instead of worrying about it. I do think the right candidate will prevail.</p>
<p>Yeah, I shouldn’t worry – it doesn’t help anything. It’s just that, after eight years of GW Bush, I have realized that Americans don’t have a lock on good leadership–or an endless supply of good luck surrounding our leadership. We could be just as unlucky as . . . I don’t know, Bolivia, Albania . . .? So I don’t believe the right candidate will naturally emerge.</p>
<p>Morales in Bolivia is a GREAT leader. We should only be so lucky.</p>
<p>That might be so, Mini, but with something like 190 leaders in 183 years since its independence, you have to admit that Bolivia has not been lucky!</p>
<p>Two Words: John McCain</p>
<p>190 in 183 years-Pretty good. We get to suffer for at least 4 years, and if we are really stupid, we suffer for another 4 years; After which we go into a galactic upheaval that make the parties switch platforms. </p>
<p>Good gosh, I heard today that W is going to Africa. Is he going to stumble there too? Can’t he just stay at Camp David and at least pretend he is a President?</p>
<p>I agree that mental health is a big factor in who to vote for. Blood pressure is another. Bush has raised my B.P. too many times in these last 7 years, and Cheney gives me a near-stroke every time I find out what he says.</p>
<p>“Obama HAS to get the nomination or I fear for my mental health…So I’ve been contributing to Obama as a mental health preventative measure. Have I already gone 'round the bend?”</p>
<p>Some would say yes.</p>
<p>I think people should not get emotionally attached to a candidate. Remember aside from his oratory, he can’t do much - he can’t have a step change in a democratic society. With all the checks and balances the system has, pendulum can not swing much. It is only possible in communist countries or dictatorial regimes.</p>
<p>I felt the same way when Bush and Company got elected the first time. I was extremely upset. But we survived the 8 year. How I did it? I detached myself. I stopped watching, hearing or reading about him, and still don’t. Pick up a new hobby, exercise, stop the urge to ‘defend’ your candidate at a slightest negative comments. This is politics. With all the talk of the way Washington does business, Obama is still relying on the old tested political ways - Buying the superdelegates with $. He does not talk about race, but his surrogates do. </p>
<p>Get a grip. Stop sending money the way cult members and the members of TV evangelical watchers do. The more money you send more emotionally you get attached.</p>
<p>It’s not that I’m emotionally attached to Obama, Simba. (wow, I like those two words together: obama simba!). </p>
<p>It’s that I loathe hearing family, friends and others dump on Hillary. She is as fallible as anyone else, egotistical and over-ambitious like all the candidates, and also lacking in screen charm, for which she pays dearly, but she gets more than her share of the invective. It upsets my sense of fairness.</p>
<p>Just remember - DETACHMENT</p>
<p>Well that always works well in a democracy. Not.</p>
<p>I understand the sentiment, SuNa.</p>
<p>I just came back from the grand opening of Obama’s Texas HQ. One word: crowded. </p>
<p>Dh is going to Clinton’s rally tonight at her HQ. Can’t wait to compare notes.</p>
<p>Detachment does not mean not interested.</p>
<p>
in a word- YES and I know others who do as well. My way of keeping positive is that I actually feel happy to even have a candidate whom I’m excited about!</p>
<p>Youdon’tsay- ouhhhhh, please DO share the inside info from your firsthand accounts of texas politics- the country (anxiously) awaits Texas results March 4 !!</p>
<p>Well, he decided not to go. And I told him that’s why Obama would win the nomination. He conceded that I was probably right. :)</p>
<p>The prospect of an Obama presidency has already had a positive influence on my mental health. I never would have guessed that presidential politics could have such an effect. I consider my donations to Obama’s campaign insurance payments of a sort.</p>
<p>My mental health was in a state of swivet until I saw this Texas primary poll:</p>
<p>February 15, 2008 - Texas Primary Preferences Democrats Texas
Clinton 42%
Obama 48%
Someone else 3%
Undecided 7%</p>
<p>“Hillary Clinton leads Barack Obama among self-described Democrats 47% to 42%. Obama leads Clinton among self-described independents and Republicans 24% to 71%. Obama leads among men 55% to 29% (47% of likely Democratic primary voters) and Clinton leads among women 54% to 42%. Clinton leads Obama among white voters 51% to 40% (53% of likely Democratic primary voters), Obama leads Clinton among African American voters 76% to 17% (22% of likely Democratic primary voters), and Clinton leads Obama among Latino voters 44% to 42%.”</p>
<p>[American</a> Research Group](<a href=“http://americanresearchgroup.com/]American”>http://americanresearchgroup.com/)</p>
<p>^ ^ </p>
<p>You won’t like this.</p>
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) - Harold Ickes, a top adviser to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s campaign who voted for Democratic Party rules that stripped Michigan and Florida of their delegates, now is arguing against the very penalty he helped pass.</p>
<p>In a conference call Saturday, the longtime Democratic Party member contended the DNC should reconsider its tough sanctions on the two states, which held early contests in violation of party rules. He said millions of voters in Michigan and Florida would be otherwise disenfranchised - before acknowledging moments later that he had favored the sanctions.</p>
<p>[My</a> Way News - Clinton Aide Changes Mich., Fla. Stance](<a href=“HeadlineAlley”>HeadlineAlley)</p>