I wrote to you earlier and was very skeptical about Obama. I was worried he was too much of a front man for the Democratic good old boys in Congress. I always admired and supported McCain, and stuck with him through the election. However, I'm coming around, and find myself rooting for Obama. He seems to be the right man for the times: I don't think McCain could have taken it physically, or the country could have taken another Repbulican mentally. I like Obama's cabinet picks, his scolding Wall Street about bonuses, and even his pokng fun at the snow babies in DC. I'm glad to see that Caroline Kennedy won't be inheriting a Senate seat,and that Tom Daschle and his wife will have to keep earning money in the private sector. (Now if he can shake Dodd loose, he'll be all set.) I know he's trying to be the anti-Bush, but if you get his ear, there is one thing you can tell him: don't apologize, your friends and supporters don't need it and your enemies won't believe it. He's obviously smart and capable, and has great instincts. He just needs to keep plowing ahead,because the masses outside DC and Manhattan are ready to follow.

I thoroughly enjoyed your piece yesterday on President Obama's Blackberry. I rather think we should refer to his BlackBerry as The BarackBerry. What do you say?

Hello Matt, Saw you on Charlie Rose last night and again appreciated the perspective you bring when you appear there. Your point of President Obama's (YES!) focus on a generational shift and its importance equal to or greater than
any focus on race was well taken. It's my opinion as well that he as done a masterful job of inspiring those who do not carry as much of the weight of racial inequities, while not denying their complications. In your appearance you mentioned a speech he gave regarding a generational focus in 2005 at the Florida Democratic Convention. I have searched Google et al,but have been unable to locate any text/video of that speech. Do you have any links you can send my way to help me find it?

You stated on the Charlie Rose Show that Obama's advantage is not having
to bare the burden of the civil rights legacy. I found your comment to be a
little disingenuous to all of blacks who have succeeded in this country. I
understand why Clayburn took issue to your statement.
Please let me share with you that black people from my generation (mid-40s, post-civil rights) are hardly burdened by some inner demons of the civil past. I'm not trying to disrespect you (really) but your comments was rather simple minded for a NE sophisticate like yourself who claim "street cred" by growing up in close proximity to housing projects. To correct you, most blacks my age move ambitiously in this society not with luggage of the past but with a desire to succeed despite the arrows thrown at us along the way. As a black man, Barack still had to endure some racial bias of this society. He succeeded not because his lack of baggage of the civil rights past but because of his unique qualities as an individual. To add, I know several black kids with Barack's mixed heritage, raised by the "white side" of their family that struggle and not become Presient of the United States.

Mr. Bai, your comments reminded me of how writers like yourself simply do not know the nuances of inter-cultural experiences of black America. A black, male Hawaiian is still a black man's experience in America. Please do not try to psychologically segregate black male experiences. Think about it. Something made Barack claim and self identify as a black man, even after being raised by "the white side of his family." This happens all the time. Please learn more and write better with the great skills you have.

Thank you for the wonderful piece on Stephanie Tubbs Jones. Have you ever considered doing something on Congresswoman Barbara Lee (I happen to be one of her constituents), the courageous remarkable woman who cast the lone vote against granting the Bush administration unlimited authorization on 9/14/01?

For anyone interested in hearing me talk about race and Obama.

Your article ("The Other Winner," 11.16.08) was the most brilliant scintillation of the tragi-comic Democratic Party that I've read in a very long time (except for the overly contrite and dismissive explanation that voters became cynical and detached after Watergate). Next, I will read your current book. My request: Please write a book that explains what you meant at the end of your article, "...the only 50-state strategy now is to govern as if they mean it." Really, we need you to do this ASAP. You're a great writer and very enjoyable to read.

In the sacred text Hotevilla by Thomas Mails and Dan Evehema the holy Hopi have prophesied WWIII. This seems to be due to the US military-industrial-church complex exploitation of environmental and human rights. It may be that China and Russia will rout us by the end of the Hopi calendar, 2013.

Please promote environmental and human rights worldwide.

Howard Dean, a year ago or more, was criticized by democrats and republicans alike for spreading Democratic National Committee resources across all 50 states, rather than concentrating resources on core democratic states and susceptible swing states. The Obama campaign has been lauded for focusing on all 50 states. Did Howard Dean's work lay a foundation for Obama's campaign implementation? Should we circle back and give Howard Dean a firm round of applause for his strategy?

Just pounded through "The Argument" and really enjoyed it. I went looking for it after reading your recent pieces on Obama and Race/New Generation of politics. As a Bostonian, I remember your years writing for the Globe as well. My question is do you have plans to write a book summarizing this election? Also, do you have any updated thoughts on the progess being made my the progessive movement? Even if Obama wins (which I think/hope he will), it still seems remarkable to me that this election remains close despite the mood towards the GOP in general, McCain's age/Palin's inexperience etc. I feel that if McCain had chosen somebody like Romney (who could have been his economic expert etc), he probably would have won this election and I find that astounding frankly.