Eligibility History

Without being able at this precise moment to document the following (because I've loaned out the book), I'd like to point out that the "eligibility" issue may turn out to be an interesting Karmic episode for Barack Obama.

One of his favorite tricks throughout his political career was finding ways to get opponents disqualified from the ballot. He did it through via the machine in Chicago, having reams of signatures for the candidacy of his opponent deemed fraudulent...often on the flimsiest of grounds. He also benefited from public revelations of embarrassing (not illegal) private information about opponents that forced them to drop out of races—or assured their defeat.

Indeed, Obama's political career has been one of virtual certainty of victory in elections because any serious opponent has been, by hook or by crook, removed from contention. This presidential election is the first in which he has not been able, even with the willing help and full-fledged support of the Academia, Hollywood, Unions and the Mainstream Media to accomplish that. Because of the stature and respectibility, and the general character and honesty (like him or not) of John McCain, the Obama Machine has not been able to ruin him.

As is obvious, however, they certainly have done their best to destroy the reputation and legitimacy of Sarah Palin. What you have witnessed done to her is "business-as-usual" for Barack Obama since his early days in Chicago.

Yes, there would be a certain elegant, Karmic symmetry in "eligibility" being the stone in his shoe that prevents Obama from marching to victory.

The Gunslinger