By Big Tent Democrat

Markos is riled up about Bruce Reed of the DLC working with Clinton on debate prep (not a policy position actually.) Funny how he missed this:

[DLC Chairman Al] From said Mr. Obama had an intellectual, and not just tactical, connection to the D.L.C.

“I mean his chief economist, Austan Goolsbee, is a fellow at the Progressive Policy Institute, which is our think tank,” he said.

Economic advisor vs debate prep? Which matters more? For the record, having the DLC in the Big Democratic Tent is fine by me. I certainly would not want either candidate to cast out the DLC. I actually worry more about the DLC's Third Way Unity Schtick political advice. As From says, there is a very close political tactics connection between Obama and the DLC. It is what I complain about constantly. Some others used to complain about too. Not anymore apparently.

By Big Tent Democrat

Your second turn. Go Gators! This is an Open Thread.

The comments to our threads are filling up pretty quickly, even with the "stay on topic" rules. That's a good thing.

If the comments stay as full, I may be taking requests for volunteer comment moderators.

Since I'll be out for a few hours, here's a place for you to decide the topics and keep the conversation going.

NOTE - BTD Comments closed. There is a new Open thread. Go Gators!

By Big Tent Democrat

Kevin Drum writes:

Atrios:

The campaigns and candidates themselves may not get nasty, but I get the sense that supporters of the various candidates are getting angrier at the other camp. Sure a lot of this is just relatively harmless virtual world internet flaming, but it has real world manifestations too.

This has sort of taken me by surprise too. I'm reminded of the old saying that the smaller the stakes, the more vicious the battle. Obama and Clinton are obviously different in some important ways, but overall there just aren't any huge gaps between them, either in ideology or governing theory. . . . I confess that I have a hard time understanding the level of vitriol that the race has produced among supporters on both sides. . . .

Yep. On the flip, I will show you what I mean.

NOTE Comments closed.

By Big Tent Democrat

Via Blogometer, Mike Lux writes:

[W]e've reached that juncture where it seems better for us to turn our attention to defining McCain rather than carving up each other."

Due respect to Mike, what is stopping you? Unless the us is the candidates, I see no reason why any person, Media organ or blogger who wants to turn their attention to McCain can not do so. What's stopping them?

NBC and bloggers, from list A to Z, are all proclaiming Hillary can not win. Then do not sweat the contest. What's the worry? That Hillary is going to question Obama's experience? Oooooh. And gawd knows John McCain won't right? Morever, are you sure the Media will defend Obama as they do now when Hillary is not his opponent?

A lot of folks are going to be in for a rude awakening if/when Obama gets the nomination and they discover their new BFFs in the Media are not so nice when a Clinton is not the opponent.

By Big Tent Democrat

CNN calls Rhode Island for Hillary. J. went for dinner. Treat this as an Open Thread.

By Big Tent Democrat

Here's mine:

Clinton by 10 in Ohio. Clinton by 14 in RI. Obama by 30 in Vermont. Obama by 2 in Texas.

The first three are fairly conventional. But why do I think Obama wins in Texas? Because Zogby said Clinton would win Texas. Kidding. I'll tell you why. Because I think African American turnout will be through the roof, swamping every other factor in its path. That's the reason.

What are your predictions?

TalkLeft, Taylor Marsh, No Quarter, Corrente Wire and Left Coaster are not the only progressive blogs where some of the authors and/or most of the commenters prefer Hillary Clinton to Barack Obama for President. Some blogs have explicitly endorsed her. At others, individual authors express their personal beliefs. Some even strive to provide fair coverage.

Here are some to check out:

• Confluence by River's Daughter
• Anglachel's Journal
• No More Apples
• Donna Darko
• Democratic Daily

Recommended post of the day: Factory Workers at Sunrise. (Hat tip to Katie Bird.)

By Big Tent Democrat

Open Thread. No scurrilous rumormongering please.

Your turn. This is an Open Thread.

Good post from Matt Stoller.

By Big Tent Democrat

Your turn. Go Gators! Beat the MSU Bulldogs!

This is an Open Thread.

Update (TL): What a great surprise. I just got back from taking the TL kid to dinner (to celebrate his taking the Colorado bar exam Tues and Weds) and there are contributions from so many of you -- big and small -- all are very appreciated. More people donated today than ever before. Even the $5.00 donations are appreciated. All of you have been a huge help given our traffic surge the past week which has overwhelmed our server. Our second server should now be in place. Thanks to all of you.

By Big Tent Democrat

Congrats to Hillary and very likely to Obama for their record fundraising. Now how about a little bit for TalkLeft?

Site traffic has boomed raising costs significantly. The links are available on the right hand side.

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Update, snail mail and anonymous donation details below: