This is really.....

.....for a political junkie like me, a very interesting season.

I found myself watching current Presidential political ads being aired back to back on C-SPAN tonight.

What in the world is going to happen? I offer a very humble opinion. Nothing more than a 40 year old blowhard typing, so don't take any stock in this.

DEMOCRATS:

---Hillary Clinton: The good news for her, she is nowhere near out of the race. The bad news is, she showed more of "herself" last night during the ABC debate than, in my view, I've seen in public before. There was some hateful eye cuts, let me tell ya.

***---The question regarding Al-Qaeda and going into Pakistan if there is "actionable intelligence"....she was the last to be able to offer her view, but the first part of her answer, if people really listened, did her no good.

SEN. CLINTON: Well, I think it's important to get back to your question, because obviously that's the most direct threat to the United States. We did take action similar to what has been described about 10 years ago based on what was thought to be actionable intelligence, sending in missiles to try to target bin Laden and his top leadership, who were thought to be at a certain meeting place. They were not taken out at the time. So we have to be very conscious of all the consequences.

First off, to her credit, the bin Laden team knew putting a playground on site would lead us to halt the attack, as not to attack innocent children. But the missles they did send did nothing. Note, though, her phrase...."...based on what was thought to be actionable intelligence....".

Sounds like Iraq???

Now to when John Edwards dropped the bomb on her, forcing that "look", or series of "looks"....

....earlier in the debate, Mrs. Clinton, noting the "change" theme that everyone is touting, discussing the frailty of Social Security and Medicare.....

"But I don't think you make change by, you know, calling for it or by demanding it. I think it is a result of very hard work, bringing people together, stating clearly what your goals are, what your principles are, and then achieving them."

After the Edwards' "shot over the bow", mentioning he finished second in Iowa and as he put it regarding status quo (i.e. Clinton), saying, "I didn't hear these kinds of attacks from Senator Clinton when she was ahead"....her frantic response was...

"Wait a minute now, wait a minute. I'm going to respond to this because obviously -- making change is not about what you believe. It's not about a speech you make. It is about working hard."

"Making chance is not about what you believe"......WHAT??? WHAT???

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---John Edwards: With Obama winning the "change" game, and sporting that razor-thin second place finish in Iowa, really had no choice but try to nuke her. The backlash was "he started it" (a la 5th grade fight). And he backed up on the "negative sound of politicians bickering" part in his next response. But that was his card, and I give him kudos for at least having the guts to go there.

---Barack Obama: He was shaky to begin with, got stronger as time went on, but did not come across as the most authortative. In his defense, none of them won that contest.

OH, and Bill Richardson.....has been a Clinton crony forever. We know he's dropping out late Tuesday night. Lots of Richardson supporters in Iowa, once their numbers of supporters dropped below the "threshold" to stay in the caucus, flooded to the Obama camp, MUCH to the shegrin of the Clinton folks.

So I have a feeling there was a reconciliation deal between Richardson and Clinton, i.e.----if they gang up on you on the "change" issue, I'll ask why "experience" has become a leper.

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Frankly, my head is still scratching regarding the Republicans. I will say this:

---Ron Paul needs a reality check and I look forward to his exit.
---Rudy Guliani has a strange strategy.
---Fred Thompson seems like this is a hobby.
---Mike Huckabee becoming the nominee would be a disaster (sorry to my evangelical friends). I think he would become a lightning rod, not to the extent of Hillary, but watch the anti-religion voters come in droves).
---Mitt Romney is a robot.
---At this point, John McCain, I think, is the most electable Republican. I cannot believe no one has mentioned age (i.e.--President Reagan).

MUCH more to come. It's gonna be a LONG year.

Several quick thoughts.....

1) "24" was excellent last night! They were back on their game, especially with the great acting of President Logan, Martha, and Aaron Pierce. See? Jack doesn't have to be on half the show or more! But, we learned that last year. Next week looks really interesting, and I wouldn't trust Suberov for love nor money. :)

2) Hillary is already beckoning the term "vast right-wing conspiracy", and it's only March 2007. There must be some numbers in their inside polling that are already worrying them. Good Lord, she's got to create the "vast left-wing conspiracy" so she can get the nomination!

3) I HATE Maxoderm commercials. The ladies set the female gender back a minimum of 50 years.

4) Fred Thompson? Yeah, I can dig that. My lady in Philly has been telling us this for weeks and weeks, and I think there's a gap in there that he could fill and get right into the thick of the race.

5) After staying out of work yesterday and returning today, feeling better but with no voice, I really haven't studied the Tournament Brackets that much. I need to get this done by tomorrow night.

More to come....but right now, I've gotta eat!