Political Commentary by YT

Handicapping the Presidential Sweepstakes:

Obama. I hear he's black. No, really! It says something about the sea change in America's political culture when we're more concerned with the religious orientation of a candidate's antecedents than with their race or place of birth. I'm sure this is a sign of progress. Obama doesn't strike me as a particularly strong candidate right now, mainly because I haven't seen a tremendous amount of substance or experience. On the other hand, he's shown unexpected resilience thus far, he's high on the likeability quotient, and Obama emotes Hope and Vision. And he's got really white teeth. I think his candidacy will only get stronger in time.

McCain. The GOP hates Johnny. What else can explain it? The party finally lets McCain have the nomination when the economy is drifting south, we're trapped in some nasty foreign adventures and food and energy prices are through the roof. And it's all under the watch of the least-liked Republican president since...ever? But they needed some goat to stake out for the lions.

Unfortunately, his most effective campaign strategy is that of a reformer but you can't really run as the reform candidate against your own party's president. I think he attacks Obama at his own great risk as well.

Do you hate those 'Obama is a rockstar' commercials as much as I do? The Republicans are really saying 'Hey, we know Obama is popular. Everyone seems to like the guy. You people are idiots.' Having the octogeniarian political candidate kick the voters' favorite puppy isn't exactly going to win you many votes come election day.

As an aside: The Clintons must be ready to eat their own livers right now. If Hillary hadn't run the worst major Democratic election campaign since Dukakis, she might well have the nomination and be the odds-on favorite to win the presidency.