Edwards is out

Edwards is out, announcing in the upper 9th ward. I was there, third row, left side, white shirt, with my head bobbing back and forth. His hair is great, even in person. Where's his support go? Not clear, probably equal per Obama and Hillary, but it's a state-by-state call.

Obama and Reagan

Although belatedly, it's time to finally put to rest the Obama-Reagan "charges" bandied about by a frantic Clinton campaign. It happened over the past few weeks, and with South Carolina behind us, it's easy to see how useless the Clinton noise machine has become. Slurring their major opponent as a Ronald Reagan-lover may seem like it would appeal to the democratic base, but on a policy level is so tremendously ineffective, it is laughable. To review, Clinton accused Obama of cozing up to Reagan's policies, of being some kind of 'closet-Reaganite', which, as even an objective observer of Senator Obama's legislative record could attest to, is about as likely as Hillary admitting to being a transvestite. It's a laughable, crude, and awkward charge that fell flat on its face.

Nevertheless, Obama does draw a more positive comparison to Reagan. His resounding message of transformative government, of straight-talk with the American people, of open, progressive government, and of a revival of American strength throughout the world could be likened to rise of the robust Reagan Revolution in its power to inspire the American people. Obama, like Reagan, appeals to people of all political persuasions, and his platform and message resonate across demographic lines. Reagan was able to build a strong, governing coalition based in the conservative intellectuals but bolstered by wide-ranging and broad support in every section of America. Obama's chorus is a mirror of Reagan's, albiet from a progressive platform, but bracketed by supporters on both sides of the ideological divide. This why he can bring the nation together, and this is why he can move this nation forward and away from the gridlock of the last 16 years.

One last thing: Reagan often spoke about "morning in America", a new dawn for the great American experiment. Hope for the future. In Reagan's America, the sun was always rising. In Obama's, per his campaign's elegant logo, it looks like it will rise again.