Walking out of the church into a sunny and uncharacteristically balmy late fall morning, I was overcome with emotion. The feeling that the long night is over and a new day is dawning is so strong with me. I have great hope for the future and I know that we can go forward together to face our problems, atone for our errors and renew the promise that the idea of America gives to all the world.

Yes. We. Can.

Rep Bachmann is just a nut. She could be Caribou Barbie's long lost twin sister separated at birth--same Christianist viewpoint, same anti-intellectuallism, same anti-science and anti-objective knowledge perspectives.

I believe that El Tinklenberg is a good choice for that district because he is a moderate or even conservative Democrat who is well known in that part of the state. If I remember the boundaries of this district correctly, it also includes a portion of central Minnesota that is traditionally Catholic, which should be good for him, considering his more moderate social views. He is also sane (which by itself is an improvement over MB) and is able to work with people. Rep Bachmann is completing her first term, so the district will not lose much seniority if they change horses now. I hope that they do.

I will be sending El a contribution. He really would be a vast improvement over the current incumbent.

William F. Buckley was the type of conservative who made liberalism better because of his intelligent critique. I do not know much about Christoper Buckley, but I am sorry to hear that he was subjected to the bum's rush at the National Review. It says more about the current state of conservatism than it says about Mr. Buckley.