Oh for Christ's sake, Bit. Look, I agree with you about 1% of the time, but I've always thought that, even at your most partisan, you do have integrity. Don't force me to give up that opinion.
"Defensive knee-jerk reaction" -- Jesus.

Maybe should pray in his name for 0bma's Grandmother instead of taking it in vain Sam.

I dunno, Sam.

Oh for Christ's sake, Bit. Look, I agree with you about 1% of the time, but I've always thought that, even at your most partisan, you do have integrity. Don't force me to give up that opinion.
"Defensive knee-jerk reaction" -- Jesus.

This is the October surprise.

Asshole.

I dunno, Sam.

Look, I wish them both well, but from a purely objective POV, Davod may have a point. After all, Obama has been spending money at a rate of 4 to one over McCain, by some reports, and yet the best he can manage popularity wise, is numbers that are best described as a tie. Some would define that as a rather fragile lead.

So, while unarguably this event is tough for all concerned, it does knock Obama off the stump for a couple of days at least, at a time when he can least afford that time, and may in fact have the (numeric) effect of an October surprise. This may be a reasonable excuse for a loss, too.

OTOH, and arguably, this could give Obama something he hasn't had before... a reason to be seen as a sympathetic figure, and may thereby benefit him in the polls. Look at your own defensive knee-jerk reaction as an example.

I guess it all depends on the timing.

This is the October surprise.

Asshole.

Chicago to Honolulu on a commercial carrier commercial can be as little as about 10 and 1/2 hours with a stop in Denver. Since Senator Obama has his own plane, it shouldn't take 14 and a half hours each way. Presumably he won't have to deal with TSA and the normal built in hurry up and wait scenarios that the rest of us do as well. Small consolation, but hopefully he has a few more hours than anticipated.