Quotes From Around Yon Blogosphere

Hate makes a cheap and easy recruiting tool, but hate ultimately leads to violence. Political activists are playing with fire when they attempt character assassination — the destructive impulse will last far longer than this election. By attempting to divide in order to conquer, they demean not only our democracy, but also the ability of our next president to unite our country and govern all Americans effectively.

-- JOHN P. AVLON

Obama won all three debates because he proved to enough people that he wasn't too inexperienced or too scary to be president. The issues were always on Obama's side.

-- RON BEASLEY

John McCain should be careful. If he keeps shouting "class warfare," the people might in fact take up arms. And won't he be surprised when the angry mob doesn't attack the guy trying to spread the wealth with the masses, rather than horde it in his myriad palatial estates.

-- ERIC MARTIN

If McCain is a lost cause, it is time for the Republicans to perhaps look to salvaging what they can from the disaster. And that means fighting like hell for the filibuster in the Senate.

-- RICK MORAN

So, Sarah, if you want to talk big on the campaign trail to those audiences that don't talk back, go right ahead. But if you truly are the maverick politician you say you are, come on and talk to us soft, coddled, elitist journalists. Surely we aren't as tough as the moose you like to take down with your Second Amendment-protected hunting rifle.

-- ROLAND MARTIN

It seems to me that Intrade may need to suspend trading in John McCain shares until some kind of plan can be worked out to recapitalize his campaign.

-- MATTHEW YGLESIAS

John McCain has an anger problem. But not the one many political observers presumed he'd have. He has not lost his temper at a questioner, blown up at a reporter, or exploded during a debate. Rather than a swift detonation, he has settled into a slow burn. He seethes.

-- EZRA KLEIN

Please note that the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters International Union not only endorsed Obama, but was the first major union to do so. Suck on that John McCain.

-- SIR CHARLES

As panders go, I am finding this autism gambit baffling. Did McCain just get confused about the fact that Trig has Down Syndrome? Or was he trying for some kind of broad-brush special-needs appeal, only to end up awkwardly implying that all special-needs families are the same?

-- DAHLIA LITHWICK

President Obama -- it has a nice ring to it.

-- PAUL CAMPOS

Cartoon by Ben Sargent/Universal Press Syndicate