Your tastes may vary, but there will be choices almost everywhere.

I think they do. I think for the first time in a long time there is a real demand – nay, a real need – for change among the American electorate, probably long overdue. Perhaps the most telling sign is that the national discourse has shifted away from red herrings like “gay marriage” and “flag burning” to issues of real substance.

The ideals of the Reagan/Republican Revolutions have run their course. The lofty ambitions of small, responsible government have been all but abandoned in favor of K-Street and earmarks. And on the foreign policy front, I think we Americans are beginning to see that our place in the world is changing. This isn’t the Cold War, nor is it the brief Post-Cold War honeymoon period. Our days as a hegemon are numbered.

And I think that’s why Obama resonates with so many people. He’s a different breed of politician with a very forward-looking vision. He’s pushed for ethics and earmark reform. He isn’t taking money from lobbyists. He thinks American policy toward Cuba and Iran is just as obsolete and, frankly, ridiculous as the rest of us. He’s been a little slow on the delivery but I do believe that his message, that we need to “change the way business is done in Washington,” will find its audience.

There’s always a reluctance to embrace change, and Obama has an uphill battle to overcome that, but even if he doesn’t win in 08 (and there’s a good chance he won’t) I think Obama and what he stands for embodies the shape of things to come.

Hope you will look in on neilmckenty.wordpress.com

Secondly, why don’t you page Ron Paul for an independent run instead of Mike Bloomberg?

Surely you don’t think voters will go for something other than “Pepsi or Coke”, do you?