This is another instance of a Leftie calling for change as if, in and of itself, change is a desirable pursuit, which is, of course, loopy. "Change We Can Believe In": what the hell does that mean. In the case of Obama, it means redistribution of wealth, and whatever other Marxist tenets he can foist upon us. - eggsy

Obama at least got education and is a self-made man. He had to struggle and make his way though to the top. He is also very charismatic and quite cultivated, not the least due to his law background. And he is a Democrat !! - Hayk H.

Another country heard from. This is a US election. There are no "citizens of the world". - eggsy

Why can't we have some of both. Charisma, integrity, a strong vision for the future. Something we can believe in. Americans, set your sights higher! - Scott Martin

Yeah, redistribution of wealth is so evil. You do know that severe income inequality is perhaps the leading cause of violent instability, right? - Ben Turner

yeah eggsy, like the elitist corporate shit we've been living under is SO much better. - Rev. Dr. W!cKeD Rock

"redistribution of wealth" usually means a society is using force to mug someone... it's just another term for violent theft. As for the idea of change? Well, Obama really isn't that different... look into his history in Chicago, including the way he won his elections there. He is just another politician, maybe a bit less honest than most. The facts simply don't support his recent branding as an idealistic outsider. - Soulhuntre

"We the People" of the USA are the problem, and ultimately the solution if we can ever get beyond being wagged by the political parties and start demanding the government "We" want. - Jim McCusker

At the end of the day, Obama will be elected because the Bush administration was just so awful. That's all there is to it. People will only feel disappointed in him if he does manage to be worse. - Ciaoenrico

Jim, good point. As much as I do have hope in Obama to bring about much needed changes, we Americans need to grow up beyond the idea that anyone can or will save us --its our responsibility to start making lasting changes. Dollars (i.e. on oil, plastics, etc. vs. local, quality goods) are powerful votes. - Leif Hansen

@Leif Hansen - the core point is a good one. The idea of someone selling himself to you as your savior (and Obama certainly has) should send up red flags all around. Then again, snake oil always sells to crowds. - Soulhuntre

Soulhuntre -every candidate is guilty of this to some degree -the system is set up to sell saviours (wow, what a nice tongue-twister). And actually, from what I read in Obama's Audacity of Hope, he seems to put a lot more emphasis on each of our individual responsibility --which would reflect his amazing journey as well. - Leif Hansen

Soulhuntre, the sad fact is that Euro-styled socialism is preferable to the mess that the GOP has left us with. The Republicans had 6 uninterrupted years in power and completely screwed the country with it. They have failed completely. Obama might not be a great choice for President, but he's a HELL of a lot better than a continuation of the Bush policies. - Chrimmus Tad

Honestly, there are two different kinds of elections. There are those where you happily vote for the person you want to win, and there are those where you happily vote against the person you DON'T want to win. No matter who the candidates are, some people will they're voting in the first type of election and others will feel they're voting in the second. - FFing Enigma (aka Tina)

I think the real change is having a leader who is able to energize people. If he can not only maintain, but increase his ability to mobilize, especially beyond the youth vote, we might be surprised what's possible. It sounds cliché, but the real power is with the people. - mikepk from Alert Thingy

@Leif Hansen Missed your comment, I agree, it's up to us. I think Obama has the potential to actually motivate and energize the people to action. I see the potential there, I truly hope he can deliver. - mikepk

A well-written, to-the-point piece. - Blake N. Cooper

Suggested reading "The Limits of Power" --> http://tinyurl.com/5w556y - Jim McCusker

I'm not a leftie. For the 80,000th time. - Dave Winer

And yes, change from Bush is desirable. - Dave Winer

Coming to you from the Chevron station in Winnemucca, NV, US of A. - Dave Winer

@eggsy By definition, only lefties can call for change. If someone calls for change and calls himself/herself conservative, it means that the man/wman is thoroughly confused. Being a leftie is good thing. It is because of them the world progresses in the positive direction. - Krishnan Subramanian

I guess the Bill Moyer interview of Andrew Bacevich, a conservative West Point grad and army colonel, would make him liberal since he's calling for change. Well worth the time to watch: http://tinyurl.com/5ufwbp - Jim McCusker