Read this and this by Professor Hutchinson. In a reply to a comment, Professor Hutchinson notes that he wants Senator Obama's supporters to realize that Senator Obama's candidacy is "politics as usual". That's the best that can be said of it. While rigged elections, changes in stance, and forming new alliances have, at times, been part of usual politics, there is much about this election that goes beyond the usual - and not in a positive way. To be continued...