Pollster.com’s national tracking indicates that Obama is maintaining his proponents while McCain is gaining the undecideds.  I can only hope this is not a direct result of hearing some automated call say that Obama is a dangerous man that pals around with terrorists.

Ultimately, I think (and hope) this shows that Americans are responding to a positive message of change rather than to increasingly nasty tactics (such as the various robocalls, the mutilation hoax, and increasing untruths about Obama’s plans).  America is also seeing the McCain campaign (and the Republican Party) turn on itself:

• Kristol Rips McCain Camp, RNC for Handling of Palin
• Possible GOP Civil War
• Lieberman starts hedging his bets on Obama
• A Palin Insurgency?

Meanwhile, Sen. Obama is picking up endorsements left and right:

Chicago Tribune (which has never endorsed a Democrat for president):

It may have seemed audacious for Obama to start his campaign in Springfield, invoking Lincoln. We think, given the opportunity to hold this nation’s most powerful office, he will prove it wasn’t so audacious after all. We are proud to add Barack Obama’s name to Lincoln’s in the list of people the Tribune has endorsed for president of the United States.

LA Times:

We may one day look back on this presidential campaign in wonder. We may marvel that Obama’s critics called him an elitist, as if an Ivy League education were a source of embarrassment, and belittled his eloquence, as if a gift with words were suddenly a defect. In fact, Obama is educated and eloquent, sober and exciting, steady and mature. He represents the nation as it is, and as it aspires to be.

Denver Post:

Republicans love to mock Obama’s history as a community organizer. But here was a man with no money to offer, no patronage to dispense, no way to punish his opponents. All he could do was to work with people from all walks of life, liberals and conservatives, business people and the unemployed, and bring them together in common cause for a better community. Could there really be better preparation to reunite a worried and divided America to again pursue our “more perfect union”?

…and Colin Powell:

How is this not like the West Wing’s sixth season?

Why mention this at all? The class includes participation in a shared blog, which has been a fascinating experience.

At the same time, Jack Goldsmith, former head of the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel (and former University of Chicago law school professor) has a new book out on his time in government, especially around his review of the many questionable decisions (like justifying torture) made before he arrived. The former provost at UofC has a review of the book here. ]]>

• Anything from Cline Cellars, especially Zinfandel and Syrah

• Buena Vista, which is making great Pinot Noir
• Ridge Wines (more the wine than the winery)
• Goosecross Chardonnay and Syrah (the latter is especially surprising in its long raisin-tinged finish)
• The General’s Daughter, which has the best shrimp and grits I’ve ever had

We went to many other places as well, fifteen wineries in all. Each had their own charms, but the places above are the one’s we’ll definitely go back to.

Pictures from the trip are available on my Facebook photo album.

Update: Virginia just reminded me that a favorite location I forgot to include is Hanna, which offers a great ros

On politics: if you didn’t catch the Daily Show last night, here is the interview with Barack Obama:

Barack Obama, Part 1
Barack Obama, Part 2 ]]>