I don't mind listening to articulate people talk about politics with a 3-day time lag. Just a quibble, Heather: I prefer to be called a commenter, not a "commentator." Michael Signer should be invited back soon.

Swiftboating as a verb
"Ordinary" Obama supporters like me, do care about the tactics that are being deployed.
I'm not sure if Heather misheard Kerry's pronouncement, or would rather leave well enough alone, but it was a fitting part of the thematic attack against
J. Mc. the "candidate" vs. the man he once knew.
In the end, it hardly matters, but let's give Kerry his props.

As you clearly read the comments. Apologies for any nit-picking that might have overshadowed the gratitude for all your bhtv contributions.
Thanks to both of you for this diavlog. These 27 minutes were more packed with critical thinking and clear speaking than most of the 60 minute efforts.

Does anyone else think it is scary that Edwards had an adviser who researched the way demagogues can take over a government? Of course I am (mostly) joking. On a more serious note, honest Democrats should do some reflecting and think about the emotions their candidates try to evoke in their campaigning. It's hard to argue that Republicans have monopoly on this sort of thing, or even that Republicans are uniformly more authoritarian.

Dear My Friend Heather, Yes, it is a little known fact that I was a guest at the Hanoi Hilton for five years. I don't make a big deal about being an AMERICAN WAR HERO. But here's some straight talk: While you were smoking LSD, burning your bra and having premarital sex with a draft-card-burning Islamofascist, I was whipping Commie butt to keep you free. And don't give me that "I was eight years old when Bill Ayers was a Weatherman" sob story. You were old enough to know better. I've got one word for you, sweetheart: You're welcome. War is Peace (think about it!) John

Quoting graz: As you clearly read the comments. Apologies for any nit-picking that might have overshadowed the gratitude for all your bhtv contributions.

Same for me, Heather, and I'll add an additional thanks for taking the complaint, minor though it was, into account. But yeah, more nitpicking. I'm with Winspur on this: We're commenters, not commentators. (Though some of us may have dreams ...) I'll also echo Winspur on the usefulness of this diavlog, even with the time lag. We're looking for analysis, not just news, and both you and Michael offered good thoughts. I'll repeat my disagreement from my commentates, uh, comments on your last appearance: I still think Warner's speech was a disaster for him, and helped his party not at all. I take Michael's point about addressing real world concerns, but there is a place for oratory as well, particularly coming from the keynote speaker.

Quoting qwerty: Does anyone else think it is scary that Edwards had an adviser who researched the way demagogues can take over a government?

Of course I am (mostly) joking.

A good one, both in the funny and serious senses. Of course, to the extent that Edwards was a demagogue, it didn't work out very well, did it? I wonder how much of that was do to him, specifically, and how much was due to the voting public being susceptible to demagoguery that harp on "middle class concerns" and fear of the Muslim hordes?

a_
canned 'goods'. you blockingheadmasters are really not up to speed, are you? b_
2 partyfootsoldiers holding hands. bah, where 's the: friction? c_
where, bitteschoen, are the querdenkers at this joint?? g
a
s

Policy mixed with political philosophy....THE American blindspot. PoliSci wonks like to fetishize "the Founding Fathers," as if every the CON and Fed Papers, and everything they squibbed about in their private letters, were true. One question is whether Mr.Signer could have conceived his book at all on 9/12/08? Carl Schmitt may have been put back in the bottle for now but American political institutions are simply too weak to prevent the swell of state power despite not having a "demagogue" to lead the way. Sheldon Wolin has written about this recently. Another violent attack on the mainland would drive the point home for sure. Its all just wating in the wings folks...COld War mindset and political resignation on the part of the demos, galvanized by wartime fear...and presto.

Quoting ginger baker: Policy mixed with political philosophy....THE American blindspot. PoliSci wonks like to fetishize "the Founding Fathers," as if every the CON and Fed Papers, and everything they squibbed about in their private letters, were true. One question is whether Mr.Signer could have conceived his book at all on 9/12/08? Carl Schmitt may have been put back in the bottle for now but American political institutions are simply too weak to prevent the swell of state power despite not having a "demagogue" to lead the way. Sheldon Wolin has written about this recently. Another violent attack on the mainland would drive the point home for sure. Its all just wating in the wings folks...COld War mindset and political resignation on the part of the demos, galvanized by wartime fear...and presto.

oops. (i should preview my posts) I meant to say 9/12/01.....

Michael's book sounds interesting. Make sure he comes back on to talk about it when it's finished. This diavlog was before McCain picked Palin. That was such a terrible choice.