So after hitting my first clear chord (D) yesterday, I come home from work and nail all three A-family chords, A, D, and E.  I picked up the book Guitar for Dummies and it actually helped quite a bit.  I basically had the correct left hand position it just needed to be adjusted a little and loosened up.  I believe my main problem was I was just applying way too much pressure when hitting the chords, causing my fingers to hit other strings they weren't suppose to.  Anyway, the adjustments seemed to work.
The instruction that helped the most was just the description of the left hand grip:
"To get an idea of correct left-hand positioning on the guitar, extend your left hand, palm up, and make a loose fist, placing your thumb roughly between your first and second fingers.  All your knuckles should be bent.  Your hand should look about like that after you stick a guitar neck in there." - Page 30, Guitar For Dummies 2nd Ed. by Phillips & Chappell
 I would say that if I did this exercise prior to getting the book, I would have had a tight fist like I wanted to punch the guitar out rather than play.  Anyway, maybe that little excerpt will help some other newbie who may be having the same problems I have...
 
Rock on!
 
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Artist: Aerosmith
Song: Jainie's Got A Gun
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