That was really unexpected Tom and much appreciated. There are other very dynamic writers on that board and some irrational ones that still seem to get a lot of attention. I also enjoy reading posts on Andrew Sullivan's site but I think posting there would run into problems because I'm so far out of phase with Sullivan's religious beliefs and his need to insert those into issues where they really have little bearing.

I don't intend to become a frequent contributor to Kos unless I feel the real need for a large national audience quickly as I did with this recent issue. You really get lost in the haze easily when there's so huge an audience and so many contributors.

And, I might add that I do miss the counter arguments - at times. Some days you just don't have the energy to get into full-fledged debates and need to just bask in a discussion you know will fall into your comfort zone. When I've been the most disturbed on HZ are those days when I refrained from really pushing the edge and tried my hardest to be accommodating in a post I started and found myself with one reply in a full partisan battle.

What people don't understand about Kos readers and contributors though is that they don't seem to necessarily stand behind the Democratic Party elite. I see more disparaging remarks about Pelosi, Reid, Hillary, and other entrenched power brokers of the left than I do on more moderate or right wing sites. That dynamic is fascinating to watch and is a precursor to the fireworks we could easily see once the primaries really get into full swing.

Edwards and Dodd right now are the clear favorites of the polls run on that site. Will those energized folks come out of the woodwork when voting day actually comes or will they fall in line behind somebody they really don't care about just because they get early wins?

Tom, I'm glad you read that site and not because I'm hoping some of the liberal idealism rubs off on you but because there are some very bright and articulate folks on there and one needs to know that of the other side.

Art