Attila,

Geeze, I have always enjoyed your comments over at Jeff's, didn't realize you had a blog. I thought we would agree more, but...I'm thinking..not so much.
But thats ok!!!
Debate is what is is all about, right?

Anyway, I will keep checking in.

Us obviously hot 40 somethings need to stick together!..;-)

Thanks for stopping by. You just came on that rare day that I happen to run a cross-dressing photo--just the luck of the draw.

I'm probably more socially "liberal" than 75% of my readers, for what that's worth.

"Hot 40-somethings"--well, I'm holding up okay. But not quite as well as you!

"I'm not sure whether Bush's failure to "unite" the country has everything to do with his policies or actions; some of it is just the fact that he's continually demonized."

It has everything to do with his policies *AND* his actions, which is why he's continually demonized (and rightly so).

I think you've pretty much nailed McCain. I have a ton of personal respect for the guy, but no way do I want to see him as President.

The others? Too soon to tell, IMHO. I'd be fine with Rudy, but I suspect he's the Republican version of Lieberman--too far from the party mainstream to get through the primaries. Condi's my emotional favorite, but I want to hear more about her domestic policies, and see how she does administering State. Obama gave a great speech, and he has a truckload of charisma, but no track record whatsoever.

In any case, it's all a few years down the road. In 2008, I suspect we'll look back at our predictions and realize that we might as well have been pulling names out of the phone book.

No, it's the demonization. Intellectual disagreement, vigorously proposing and defending your own policies, etc. is one thing. Demonizing the opposition with hate-filled rhetoric is what divides.

"I'd rather vote for a roast beef sandwich."
Me too!