Marianne, Celinda and Jim point to the flagging energy of religious right politics, suggesting that we are at a critical moment at which extremism can be marginalized by a deeper political engagement.

Derrick says that resonant issues of inequality and poverty are now being talked about in more palpable terms than ever before, pushing the conversation forward so that "we become something that we were not the day before." He says it both resonates with and transcends the African-American community.

Marianne says Democrats (and possibly Republicans) "are loathe to look within their own houses." She senses that now there is a serious need for the Democrats to end the acrimony within the party in order to be spiritually healthy. [Civil dialogue is important within parties as well as between them.]

Ron to Celinda: "Is there such a thing as a values voter?"
Celinda -- "I don't think there's such a thing as a voter who isn't a values voter" at the presidential level. Issues matter less than values and character because voters don't know what issues a president will face. Voters' top values, according to opinion research: 1) freedom [wins across all demographics] 2) equality 3) justice, liberty, personal responsibility 4) morality. I really want her handout. Issues at top include healthcare, economic security, gay marriage was far far down the list. "Let's not assume that because the right has won the dialogue, that they have won the hearts and minds of voters."