Reconciliation vs. Systematic Organization of Hatreds

In his 2004 speech Obama said, "We worship an awesome God in the Blue States, and we don't like federal agents poking around in our libraries in the Red States... We coach Little League in the Blue States and yes, we've got some gay friends in the Red States." It is a message of fundamental unity and good will, at a time when politics often resembles Henry Adams' mordant description: "the systematic organization of hatreds."
Steve Chapman

"No social and cultural moderate can be a Republican presidential ticket in the era of Rove. So McCain was left with the party that brung him - and we now know what motivates that party: fear of the other and religious fanaticism. Hence his appalling fall campaign - among the most disgusting and hollow I can remember."
Andrew Sullivan