A Three Ring Circus?

What are the Democrats up to? No one appears to have a coherent agenda, but everyone seems to be ready, willing, and able to throw their hat in the ring? Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Barack Obama, and Bill Richardson have all announced their intent to run (or at least start an exploratory committee which really amounts to the same thing), and the party (what a pun!) is only just getting started.

And it isn't even the Democrats who have been caught up in this maelstrom. Even Republicans, who have seen their President get repeatedly bruised in polls, seem to be chomping at the bit. What ever is going around must be contagious because the Republican party is fielding at least three candidates John McCain, Mitt Romney, and Sam Brownback. Quite frankly, I wouldn't be surprised to see someone like Chuck Hagel join in as well, especially given the fact that he has been on every possible news show denouncing the President's "new" surge strategy for Iraq.

I suppose Americans should be thankful for all the selection they are being given in the coming election. Although quite frankly, the election is still another two years from now and I would much prefer our elected officials to focus on solving social security, the war in Iraq, and health care than feel out potential, ill-fated runs for the presidency. But then again that's just me...

Even with all this "selection" I do not feel like I have much "choice". Both parties are increasingly controlled by their base. John McCain is a perfect example of this. What happened to the maverick from elections past? He is turning into a patsy for the Christian Coalition and other right wing groups. And besides wanting a withdrawl of some variety, I do not even know what the Democrats stand for anymore. So forgive me for not being too excited about the fact that we could have our female president. Or our first African-American president. Or our first Hispanic president. Or if Joe Liebermann runs, our first Jewish president. Or our oldest president (septuagenarians for McCain). Let's face it, regardless of who wins, it will be a first!

Who will ultimately win the election is a mystery to me. But I am pretty sure on who will not win the election.

1. Hillary Clinton - I think Republicans and even moderate Democrats break out in hives at the mere mention of her name. Although she was the first lady of Arkansas, I doubt she would win the state now. Sure Hillary can win the Democratic primary and get the nod, but there is no way she will ever win a national election.

2. Mitt Romney - First off his name is very unpresidential. Second, he is a Mormon, and while I am for religious tolerance and the Bill of Rights, etc. etc., I am not sure how no caffeine and polygamy will play with the rest of America. Not to mention the fact that he can't seem to make his mind up about gays, and I think the Republican base may think he is bipolar.

3. Barack Obama - Obama to me appears to be a media creation and sensation. He gave one, albeit awesome, speech and the Democratic convention and is now some how ready to be president? He hasn't even completed his first term in the Senate and before that he was just a State Senator. If Tennessee was any sort of referendum on whether America is ready for a black president, then we as a country failed miserably. Harold Ford's loss does not portend well for Obama. To top it of his middle name is Hussein, there are only two worse middle names Saddam and Osama. And Obama rhymes with Osama. Imagine the field day Karl Rove and his lackeys could have with that.

4. All those other senators out there like Sam Brownback - Senators historically crash and burn in elections. Think Bob Dole of Viagra fame and John Kerry of the infamous flip-flops. The last senator who won a presidential election was John F. Kennedy. That was almost 50 years ago and rumor has it that daddy and Al Capone bought the Oval Office for him!