The Republican Party seems to be imploding...but is it really? What if this is their game plan? Allow the Dems to take the House, let them get us out of a war we can't win and can no longer afford (and shoulder the responsibility for the consequences), allow them to deal with another terrorist attack on the country (on their shift), deal with the crumbling infrastructure, mortgage mess, etc., then in four years ride in on their white horse with a strongly backed candidate and take the House back?

I don't get why people think that the Republican Party is imploding. The 5% super right wing crazy Jesus voted for me crowd has lost their traction. Don't mistake the failure of the loudest and most extreme voices in the party for the rest of the us. The only reason I'm not a registered Republican anymore is the hijacking of the party by these jackasses in the past decade.

I think the reason McCain is popular, is the same reason he was popular in 2000: pragmatism. The crazies don't like him because he (GASP!) has not been a blind ideologue, he has tried to make some real change, and doesn't give a damn what they think. His campaign finance reforms would have robbed the far right of their smear and queer tactics thus eroding the power of the crazies.

It's the same on the Democrat side with the super delegates; the people in power want to maintain it and put mechanisms in place to make it happen. That's why they made super delegates after McGovern, he threatened business as usual in the party and their power.

I still don't understand how party officials (who are not elected) get to decide how, where, and when we vote. Is that in the constitution of any state? This two party system is the true enemy of freedom.

Despite the hue and cry from conservatives, many independents have deep respect for John McCain. do not agree with him on several issues, but trust him to work through consensus and the rule of law, instead of the my-way-or-the-highway approach of the Bush Presidency. It is more than likely that I'll vote for McCain next November.

You stated my thoughts so eloquently. Thank you.