I'm new to TPM, so allow me to introduce myself..I am a white, female, born-again Christian, long-time registered Republican who is enthusiastically supporting Obama...I know I'm not the be all, end all, but I AM a member of a number of the demographic groups that Obama is hoping to make inroads with, and he has w/ me.

I had intended to sit out this election because there is no way I can reward the Republican party for 8 years of screwing this country up one side and down the other, but I couldn't see myself voting for "hillbilly" either...then I heard an Obama speech, did some research, and have been actually excited about this race ever since.

But now I'm watching in horror as you Dems attempt to implode his candidacy and give the election to John McCain.

I am all for free speech and for exercising your right to vote for a 3rd party candidate, but if you disagree w/ Obama and just can't violate your precious principles and vote for him, even though the alternative is to give the GOP another 4 years to mess up the country, can't you just do it quietly instead going out of your way to bash him and elevate the other side's position?

Threatening to withhold financial support unless Obama supports every one of your positions is harmful, not helpful. If I base my vote purely based on his positions, I couldn't vote for him...So I'm sucking it up and voting for him anyway. I don't consider it a vote for the "lesser of 2 evils", but rather a vote for hope that this country really CAN be changed.I am so sick of "Politics-as-usual" that I am willing to set aside my differences with him and vote for a man that I believe will help put the government back in the hands of the people, take away the power and influence of the lobbyists, restore a pride in our country, improve relations w/ other countries, get us out of Iraq and deal w/ the real war on terror, address the energy problems w/ REAL solutions (not gas tax holidays...give me a break!) encourage people to take responsibility for themselves while providing a little back up for them so they can, and on and on and on.

Many times in the real world you have to make compromises, no place more than in politics. With such a broad range of opinions, consensus is hard to reach. Many times you have to reach your goal incrementally, taking the best you can get first (as in FISA) and then work to edge closer and closer to your ideal...You cannot ram things down people's throats, just because it is what you want. You pick the person that most closely meets your needs, help get him elected, then work to help him accomplish your goals. If you DEMAND that he support your position, even though it is controversial, he cannot get elected and your hopes are dashed for another 4 years. People, PLEASE dial back the rhetoric (and try to have an intelligent discussion w/o the swearing!)...let's get him elected, THEN do your lobbying to get as much as you can of what you want...This in-fighting will do NOTHING except help to get John McCain elected...God help us all...