Instead, lets move on and talk about the recent Vermont Presidential Primary and how one local Republican (MODERATE Republican) cast a vote for his first Democrat. Yes, the cherry was popped…but not for Obama. In fact, the decision was made in this household, and in all the other households that could be influenced locally for local Republican types to cast their lot in with Hilary. After all, McCain was going to be a slam-dunk from then on out, so it made sense for forward thinking Republicans to cast a vote that could actually do some good. Additionally, it was the goal of this blogger to be able to say sometime down the road that he voted against Obama twice, which is to say as many times as possible. Nothing against Obama really, just the desire to see him get another ten years or so of seasoning while maintaining his chipper and upbeat personal demeanor. Heck, if he can keep the same mindset and work in Washington D.C. for ten more years, then he will absolutely deserve every vote that he can talk people into giving him for president. Getting back to the now of it, however, the plain truth is that a vote for Hilary is not only a vote AGAINST Obama…but also a vote to keep the Democratic party in discord and divided efforts for as long as possible. Hilary is simply too stubborn to give up until the last breathe has been beaten out of her campaign, while Obama still believes that he has already won the race and that Mrs. Clinton should accept that reality and give up for the good of the country/Democratic Party/Obama. Choose your poison to finish up that argument. Regardless, while McCain cools his heals in a lounge chair by the pool and sips mint julips (admittedly, by a pool in the Green Zone of Baghdad), the Democratic dogfight presses on ever closer to November. Certainly much closer than Obama would like.

The truth is that optimism and hope are good things, however, it sure would be nice if “we the people” could actually see what sort of serious gameplan goes along with the whole “optimism and hope” package. Just watching the latest Obama television spot is a stomach turning event because they are, for the most part, simply clips from previous Obama speeches/media events. Let’s face it, Obama is the Macbook/iPod of the presidential wannabe race, and his TV spots look like they were cooked up by college students in iLife.  So, knowing that Obama is a style over substance product (much like most of the Apple line of wares), the question becomes this - will Obama wear out after three years of use and have to be replaced like my iPod? Gosh, it is probably harder to come up with a shiny new president than it is an music player…

Recognizing that it is probably impossible to call off the Obama fanboys and girls at this point, there is probably nothing that can be written here that will save the General from a flaming death at the hands of l33t haxx0rs and forum trolls. Regardless, here goes: Obama is a bright star in the political firmament, but he is raw. Just because Oprah and Steve Jobs like you does not mean you would make a good president - yet. If Obama could come forward with a strong plan - his strong plan - and share it with the people it could be the best thing for voters who are sitting on the fence. Being young, charismatic and well spoken are all admirable traits, but they need to be backed up with more than a pretty face. McCain and Clinton may be more “stay the course” contenders, but for Obama to sell the promise of radical change and recovery, it is imperitive that he show those he would defend the strategy that will guide his efforts. Failure to do that could well cost him the nomination for now, that and the fact that the longer he and Clinton fight the longer he has to be exposed to the “light” of media scrutiny that is no longer treating him with kid gloves.

Sometimes, the longer something fresh is left out in the open…the more it can start to stink.

Give us substance or give us another candidate - the motto of those who are still waiting to see something…real.