(Aside) I'm 55, and this is one of the best Democratic primaries I have seen.

[pinto]

We Dem's have had some good ones, to be sure, some interesting twists and turns, much drama, some tragic events, and our share of losses in the General Election outcome. I'm liking this one, a lot.

Hang in there folks.

:kick:

[OzarkDem]

1. I agree

its good to see competition and discussion of issues within our party.

[Skinner]

2. I'm 36, and I agree.

This is the most exciting, interesting Democratic primary I remember. The crap on DU does not get me down. I am loving every minute of it.

[Bicoastal]

5. I used to think so, Skinner...

...but now I'm watching McCain starting to rise above BOTH candidates in the national polls (latest Rasmussen), and I'm starting to worry that this "exciting, interesting" primary will be the downfall of either Obama or Hillary in November.

[Skinner]

10. We'll see what happens.

If the primary lasts until the convention, then we'll have a serious problem. But I don't think we've gotten to the point where we need to start worrying. Yet.

[THUNDER HANDS]

17. you're 36?

shit, dude. I thought you were 20. At least, that's how you looked when I met you a few years ago.

[sniffa]

3. I agree

and I'm 32, so I don't have the vantage point of some.

I was talking to Bi-Baby today about how I can't wait for the first books and documentaries about this election. :bounce:

[blogslut]

4. We really are like kids let loose in a candy store

It's hard not to be greedy.

[NOLALady]

6. At 61,

I did not believe I would see anything like this in my lifetime. Barrack or Hilary. It's a win/win situation. This is like the Super Bowl of elections.

Hell Yeah! I'm going to enjoy every minute.

[VolcanoJen]

7. It's the most exciting election I've ever seen.

I'm 41. I think the age reference is fascinating.

It's causing me to be obsessive about it. Every twist, under a microscope. It's positively thrilling, really. And ultimately, I do believe it's the kind of earthquake progressives have been dreaming of.

I can't remember people just constantly talking about politics before, either. Neighbors, coworkers, the people in the line at the grocery and the bank. Everyone is paying attention, and for the most part, getting excited about (gasp!) government. And moving forward from these horrible years, most of all.

I'm already wondering about this endgame... will someone concede, and what will that moment be like? What kind of speech will that be? What will happen immediately afterward? Will VeepLust begin quickly, or will everything cool off until just weeks before Denver?

What a ride. And as a political junkie who has always envied the early states, well... who would have ever thought New Hampshire would come to Ohio during the most important, most thrilling election of my lifetime? :-) I'm in awe, to be honest.

[TooBigaTent]

18. "earthquake progressives have been dreaming of?" You surely are kidding. Neither

of these two are progressive by any sane measure.

[cloud75]

8. from texas here just glad my vote means something this primary

don't know about the ge.

[NastyRiffraff]

9. This is a political junkie's wet dream!

I'm loving every minute of it. It's educational and exciting. We're learning the ins and outs of superdelegates and what happens when no candidate reaches the required number of delegates to win. Pass the popcorn! :popcorn:

[Canuckistanian]

20. I don't even recall superdelegates being mentioned before

As any kind of variable in a primary race.

It adds a new twist.

Popcorn, indeed!
:popcorn:

[TooBigaTent]

21. If you view politics as a game, then sure, it has been interesting. In the way that

analysis of a plane crash is interesting. Forget about the people killed - at least the contest has been a gambler;s wet dream.

With everything in Bush's Amerika turned into a bad version of a reality show, complete with weekly banishments from the island of media attention and monetary collections, the reality that there are real consequences for people based on who "wins" this thing is lost in the competition=frenzy.

[pinto]

25. There *are* consequences, I agree. For you and I. That's why it's worth it, imho.

Yeah, it's a game of sorts, always has been - with or without 24/7 media. Yet we've come out with some good end results from the hoopla.

And the media is not the end all be all of voting. It remains a personal affair - fwiw. Folks still generally mark that X, push that button, whatever the local process is, on personal reasons. For all the talk, I doubt if a TV talking head has ever swung an election.

As a small sample, folks I speak with cite specifics when talking about the (D) candidate they support. I hear little of the "who said what" the media finds newsworthy.

One of the things I'm liking about this Democratic primary - other than the enormous turn-out - is an increased focus on some specifics, especially as we've moved to two candidates running head-to-head. And it is a refreshing alternative to the (R) rush to be the next Reagan clone.

That said, all primaries are just that. Primary. The proof remains in the pudding of what happens *after* a Democratic president gains office. In light of a larger Democratic majority in Congress, I think we may some real movement forward.

[thevoiceofreason]

11. Amen, Pinto

49 here, and the discussion is grand. Plus, our eventual nominee will be tough as nails.

[Maddy McCall]

12. I've been voting for 24 years and I agree.

I appreciate both candidates keeping progressive issues in front of the voters.

[TooBigaTent]

22. and reassuring their corporate handlers that the solution will not stray too far

down that road to progressive eden.

[bigtree]

13. I think the best is yet to come.

We're going to have an excellent nominee (whatever the outcome of this primary election)

[tammywammy]

14. I'm only 27, and this is freaking awesome

I have a lot of co-workers that aren't "in" to politics and since this year Texas is actually mattering they've all tuned in.

[gateley]

15. I'm 54 (not as old as Pinto) and whoa! What a ride!

We have taken so many things as done-deals along this route, only to have the rug pulled out from under us again and again.

Clinton/Giuliani - a given, right?

McCain -- last throes, one step out the door, right?

Ron Paul - look out! He's gaining momentum - could be the spoiler, right?

Obama wins Iowa -- maybe something IS happening...

Clinton wins NH -- nah, IA was probably just a fluke and the pundits have been right all along. It'll be Clinton/Giuliani.

Look out -- Here comes Bloomberg..

Bill Clinton -- the magic ingredient -- can't beat that.

Bill Clingon -- get the hook!

Polls show Obama losing to McCain - oh, well, nice while it lasted.

Polls show Obama WINNING over McCain -- whaa?

But wait! There's more! And I'm eagerly looking forward to see what the next wrench in the works will be.

[fenriswolf]

24. teddy kennedy was a huge turning point to.

[Raine]

16. I'm in my mid-50's too and

I agree. This is the most interesting and energizing primary that I can remember, I can't get enough of it! :thumbsup:

[1awake]

19. I'm 34,

and it really is something. More drama than you can shake a stick at, and a whole lot of pride across the board.

[kentuck]

23. Absolutely !

We could have let Iowa and New Hampshire choose the nominee and forgotten all this exciting aggravation. :-)

[pinto]

27. Really. I voted in a CA primary that meant something. Pretty damn cool, imho.

[Obamanaut]

26. Spouse and I were talking about this very thing yesterday. We're

both 60+, and this is the most exciting election year we can recall. So much history in the making.

[Guava Jelly]

28. I am so excited about this primary (even though my guy didn't make it)

I feel a great change coming.
We are going to gain in both houses and take the presidency!
Hell I'm so freaken excited I actually left the lounge :P

[ElsewheresDaughter]

29. I'm 55 too and totally agree with you....helmets required

:kick:

[Captain Hilts]

30. I'm 48 and they're both good candidates. nt

[Skittles]

36. better than any repuke, that's for sure nt

[NOLALady]

31. I don't remember (maybe never in my lifetime)

when all demographics were courted. Not long ago, I remember everyone was courting the soccer moms and concerned about the Nascar Dads. (I was a soccer mom at that time, but I don't think they were really concerned about my vote) No one else mattered other than those who they felt could 'decide' the election.

Women other than soccer moms were ignored. Blacks didn't have anywhere else to go except the Democratic Party that took them for granted. No one bothered to give them much thought. The younger generation was written off along with Hispanics and other minorities.

Now, everyone's vote is important. For the first time, I really feel a sense of inclusiveness. My vote matters and it feels great! I wish I could bottle this stuff.

I see more people openly discussing their differences. Sometimes civil, sometimes not so much. But its a step. A closer step towards acceptance, tolerance and understanding.

Women are feeling empowered and they are calling out sexism.

Blacks are pointing out and calling out racist behavior.

Hispanics said Si se puede and the politicians are listening.

And the GLBT aren't taking any crap. Politicians who want to be elected will not dare to offend them.

We are standing as one and telling the politicians that they will not get elected by turning the people against each other. This time, they will have to earn our votes.

[Scurrilous]

32. Kick

:kick:

[BeyondGeography]

33. I'm 48 and I don't think we'll see another one again quite like it for many years

The Democrats have had these dreamer/establishment duels before, but you've got two of the toughest versions of those archetypes ever, and they're matched up in the same contest. A very savvy, qualified female married to a popular ex-President and a globally appealing, black legislator whose brand of politics, overall message and ability to communicate are almost perfectly matched to the moment.

Unforgettable.

[NOLALady]

34. .

:kick:

[OneBlueSky]

35. strange . . . I'm 61, and this is undoubtedly the WORST primary campaign . . .

I have ever seen . . .

between two of the worst candidates we could possibly put up . . .

the nation is ripe for real change, and we get to choose between two corporate "centrists" -- if you can even call their positions centrist . . . not so long ago, many of us saw those same positions as "extreme right" . . .

and a pissing contest is NOT the way to a nation's heart . . .

AND, since the Democratic Congress saw fit to do absolutely NOTHING about the stolen elections of 2000 and 2004 -- OR to take control of the election process from Republican corporations and return it to the people -- we're perfectly set up for yet another blatant theft that, yet again, no one will be able to prove . . .

not good . . . not good at all . . .

[TheDonkey]

37. It's been fun but now it is time for Clinton to step down and lets wrap this up.

[AtomicKitten]

38. yes and no

If Clinton could stick to the issues and stop the cries of "Muslim! Cocaine! Snub! Plagiarism!, etc." , I would probably feel less nauseous. She is feeding the GOP Wrecking Machine every day she stays in this race. It appears if she isn't going to win the nod, she intends to take Barack down with her.
Not good.

[Major Hogwash]

39. Hand to gawd, I don't know what the hell he is talking about.

This is one of the most vitriolic primaries I have ever witnessed in my entire life.
2004 was a cakewalk compared to this one.

[bklyncowgirl]

40. I'm loving it. Now let's just hope the losers have the grace and class that the 2004 losers showed.

I'm loving this campaign but I am concerned about the end game.

First of all, it needs to be a clean decision by the voters. No superdelegate shenanigans, no pulling Florida and Michigan out of a hat. If you can't win by the rules you don't win period.

My big hope is that whichever of Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton does not get the nomination will show the sort of class and grace that Howard Dean and Wes Clark showed in 2004. That is, not only endorsing the winner for that big come together photo op at the convention, but actively campaigning for him or her.

There's bad blood between both camps now but leadership from the candidates themselves can bring the party together--if they're willing and able to do it. If these candidates are as passionate about this country as they proclaim, this should not be a problem.

[robbedvoter]

41. I am hoping more that the winner would have the fire in the belly to fight for our votes

rather than lay down for fear of being called a crybaby.

[bklyncowgirl]

42. Having watched both of those candidates in action, I don't think we have to worry about that.

Both are fighters.

I've been more impressed with Obama's campaign, he has more staying power than I would have believed. He's not only been a fighter, but he's been smart about it too. Hillary Clinton's best attribute for me is that there is no question she will fight tooth and claw if she is the nominee. Watching her campaign, however, I am concerned about whether the much vaunted Clinton machine is somehow out of touch with the spirit of the times and may be the sort of consultant driven effort that has doomed us in the past.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

43. I just hope the convention is not more dramatic than '68.

But I think the selection will be made by then. Hopefully by a big margin, without needing super-d's, FL, or MI.