This also was truncated. Here is the rest:

I think the wave that Obama has articulated—and that is demonstrated in that video—is that, while we are all really frightened and demoralized by the problems of America, and by eight years of the most mediocre and partisan president in most of our lifetimes, we do actually remember that there have been objectively great moments in American history and objectively great presidents (from both parties), who were great–not because they implemented the Republican or Democratic agenda, but because they listened to the times and to the people and were able to look at our problems with an open mind and to sense what was needed for that particular moment of history. Those presidents were able to articulate the stakes to the American populace and to galvanize them to rally behind and sacrifice for those solutions. Watching Obama, you don’t know for certain that he would be such a president, but you don’t have to cover one eye and plug one ear to imagine that he could be.

I really haven’t believed it when I’ve heard it before—that Republicans are crossing over—but I do now. I have checked the blogs of staunch Republicans whom I know and some are saying they will go Democratic in the primary and vote for Obama. They claim it is because they think the Democrats are going to win, and they don’t want Hillary. But I sense an undercurrent of, “Maybe I would be willing to give this guy a chance. I would rather fix our problems than just continue demonizing the left. And I’d even be willing to suspend some of my ideology for a chance to be part of the solution.” And if you look at the “unexpected” success stories of the Republican primary the time around—you can sense that Republicans, too, are hungry for a post-partisan president. McCain, Huckabee and Ron Paul are all sort of mutant children of the two parties: a hawkish, (once) pro-immigrant, environmentalist; a Christian populist; an anti-war, anti-tax libertarian. But the longing isn’t just about finding the right combo of Republican ideas and Democratic ideas; it’s about looking at our problems with a fresh energy and being open enough to embrace what seems most likely to work. And it’s true, what Obama says: that people in both parties and in all classes want a strong economy; people in both parties and all classes what a secure homeland; people in both parties and all classes want to prevent the disasters of global warming; and people in both parties and all classes are willing to sacrifice and work for those goals.

Obama is unique in that he is asking to be a leader, not as the father figure who already has all the answers, but as someone willing and able to collaborate directly with the American people. NB from his Blueprint for America:

“But I also hope that this booklet sparks a dialogue and that after you’ve finished reading it, you get in touch with our campaign and give us your thoughts on the policies you find here. It’s time to put government back in your hands, where it belongs. If we want to have policies that are good for the American people, then we need the American people to help shape those policies.”