For starters, this ends up as an opinion piece supporting Obama and the writing is excellent. Some of the analysis is weakly supported -- e.g., does our national polarization really arise from the Viet Nam era disagreement between those who fought and those who demonstrated? On the other hand, the conclusion that Obama is less polarizing than Clinton jibes with what I have observed. But in the final analysis, what one thinks of this piece will depend on what one thinks of our current international situation. If one supports Bush's objectives and actions as noble, he will dismiss this as swill. On the other hand, one who is fed up with the Bush administration's objectives and actions will find this piece interesting if not compelling. Polarization marches on!