A few nights ago I sat down for beers with one of my friends and inevitably the discussion turned to politics as it always does between us. My friend is almost 40, married, 2 daughters, and he is a right-leaning independent. He also voted for John McCain in 2000 and GWB in 2004.

"You have the power to take your country back. You have the power to create change in America." I heard those words this morning direct from the good Doctor's mouth at a Register for Change Rally here in Raleigh, North Carolina. And wow, those words tugged at my heartstrings.

In the wake of Obama's Berlin speech today and a number of new Quinnipiac battleground polls out today, it's easy to get caught up in the horse race. At times I have to restrain myself from stressing out at every zig and zag that takes place.

Via Ben Smith... Seems the Washington State Republican Party has decided to sink to the level of the Tennessee party. See the video below the fold

I love Michelle Obama. Not in a romantic way. Not in a political way. In an inspirational way. I saw her speak in North Carolina in mid-April, a few weeks before the primary. She was the first Obama I had ever seen in person. Tall, confident, strong woman. When she walked on stage she just exuded this air of power and strength, and then she started talking.

I'm 25 years old. I like Barack Obama. I dislike John McCain. Many of my friends like Barack Obama. A few of my friends like John McCain. Right now I just feel embarassed for them

They underestimate him. His opponents that is. Everyone reading this blog knows that Obama is an amazingly gifted politician, a record-breaking fundraiser, and an organizing machine. We also know that he is running not on the failed 50% + 1 strategy of the past, but that he will expand the map and put many more states in play this year. States such as Alaska, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, New Hampshire that have gone red in the last several Presidential cycles.

Campaigning for the first time with Senator Jim Webb.

Reporting from South Dakota, ground zero. What a day. A flood of emotions. Elation, gratitude, joy, companionship. And I know we're all feeling fired up. Even some Clinton supporters were probably won over from that amazing, respectful, conciliatory speech that Obama just delivered in perfect juxtaposition to McCain's dreadful, sleep-inducing prose.

On the eve of the primary season coming to an end, I'm sitting in front of the computer at my supporter housing in South Dakota, and feeling very grateful for what has been an unprecedented roller coaster ride the last several months.

I've been reading around the blogosphere this morning and have noticed a sentiment expressed that it's up to Hillary Clinton to unite the party. Some have disagreed. When it comes down to it though, it's been Hillary and her cohorts rhetoric that has whipped her supporters into a frenzy.

"The Maverick" is at it again. This guy is a complete joke

Wow, that was a tussle. I just got off the phone with a voter here in South Dakota, and she threw a lot of objections at me. Let's get to the good stuff, shall we? :-D

UPDATE: Thank you for all the compliments. But please take this to heart and realize you can make a difference too! Get on those phones and get the conversation started with people. THIS is another big difference that Netroots action can make.

This is a response to the continuing argument that national and state polls justify a unity ticket.

Apologies if this has been diaried already...

Listening to a Cuban Republican hammer on the belief that America should never speak with Raul Castro. Whoooo boy, this could get ugly.

Update: CNN Is providing a live feed of the speech:

Update 2: Here are some excerpts of Obama's speech via Halperin

First, read this.

I was a volunteer at the Michelle Obama event in Raleigh, NC yesterday, and while I could give you a boring rundown, I thought I'd share a much more inspiring story instead.