but I just have to say the gabfest might be the greatest thing ever.

This podcast has become absolutely horrible. They - including the editor of Slate David Plotz - are so in the tank for Obama that it's approaching unlistenable and Plotz' role makes Slate close to unreadable. What was the opening line from Plotz, something like, "...the excitement that is Obama"? How's about a little journalistic distance David? I prefer Obama over McCain, but not everything that happens in the news benefits Obama. Was Obama attacked for his unforgivable waffling on FISA? No, but we listeners were subject to an entire topic on how beautiful Barack and Michele's daughters are. Obama is a politician, let's skip the fawning and get back to the news. The Obamas cynically put their young children on Access Hollywood to garner some "adorable" points and predictably, Plotz and company lapped it right up. Note that this was shortly after Barack warned anyone against going after his family. You don't get to have it both ways. The Gabfest has been great, but is sadly going down hill rapidly. Let's hope John Dickerson's return from vacation also heralds the return of some journalistic objectivity. I hope the same can be said of Slate, but I'm truly concerned.

I completely disagree with Ledward. I heard 3 interesting discussions on today's podcast. The first on the Jesse Jackson Jackass of the Week comment, the implication of our next potential war with Iran, and finally, I wanted to hear more about that NYTimes cookie recipe. As a working mom--I knew I had to clip that piece, but didn't have time, and felt guilty about it afterwards. I was happy to hear Emily and and Lynette say that the recipe was too complicated anyway. What did you want? Balance it with McCain's great campaiging of the week. McCain has got to get his act together because his campaign is falling apart. Does he really think, along with his buddy, Phil Gramm, that Americans are just whining about their serious economic problems--and that it's all in our heads? McCain is seriously out of touch with reality. And please Slate Editors, look at the LATimes piece about McCain and his marriage to Cindy. The Political Podcast is one of my favorites! Keep up the good work.

In the July 4 gabfest, there was a lot of chin scratching about the truth in Gen. Wes Clark's comments about McCain - which I happen to agree with Clark -- but still, not a word was said by the Gabfest panel about John Kerry's over the top campaign. Kerry was the one who insisted that his 3 months in Vietnam should be the dominant issue in that election. And what a thin platform that turned out to be...his wounds were extremely minor, his medals were dubious at best, his "seared in my mind" recollections were false, he betrayed his comrades (Swiftboaters) and then attacked them for 'smearing him' with their side of the story --- but man --- that footage Kerry took of himself, running through the jungle with his rifle -----------that was presidential! I'm John Kerry, Reporting for Duty!

I agree with Ledward. I find it frustrating that the cudgel against Hillary is that she is calculating but of course after 6 dramatic calculations on Obama's part in one week, he gets a pass.

It is also becoming clear that the reason that Bazelon and Plotz gave a pass on Obama is that he could be in the J. Crew catalogue and Hillary couldn't.

Of course, everyone is entitled to their vote, but you would think that the members of the gabfest would demonstrate somewhat more thought.