We are at least two cycles of primaries away from a progressive bloc that can define policy.  Those of us who have watched the country descend into the slime-pit in the quarter century after Reagan's initial victory won't die of disappointment now, though the standard of living that we are able to save will diminish by a great degree with each cycle, still we have little real choice but to keep trying.  I think that the ability to communicate via the internet on a mass scale raises possiblilities that are particularly valuable for progressives, and that ameliorate the despair that progressives felt when we felt alone.  Dkos, for all its failures, is a remarkable engine that has driven some change for the better already; it is certainly not the ultimate, but rather a precursor.

I am hopeful that John Edwards will be the Democratic candidate, but whomever gets the nod will encounter tremendous pressures just to stop the fiasco: the biggest problem with the "right" is that it is wrong and doesn't work, and the piper must be paid.  That is going to create a fearsome pressure on this system of government and reality has a way of demanding to be faced eventually.

Sorry to go on so long, but I just want to say that I see some improvement likely in the short run, and don't think it is fair to say that there will be little difference with Obama, or even Hillary compared to the treacherous band of theives and pimps who are openly in the saddle now, even just forcing the masters of the current regime to work discreetly again removes some of their power.

We are not quitting, we are barely organized and the greatest danger is that the organizational tool with the most promise is neutered.

"I said, 'Wait a minute, Chester, You know I'm a peaceful man...'" Robbie Robertson