A study in politics

A better study might not come along for awhile. On one side, the upstart man of hope and change, riding on uniting rays of sunshine and elevating himself above the insanely over-ambitious and opportunistic rightful heir to the throne, who pales in political comparison.

On the other side, a man FROM Hope, a populist man of the Word who understands small-town Americans and their troubles and who can reach the emotional heart of the matter like few others, such as with Rebel flags:

"In fact, if somebody came to Arkansas and told us what to do with our flag, we'd tell them what to do with the pole, that's what we'd do."

Both are outside the main establishment. Both have huge mountains to surpass. Obama is a bit too young, but he's trendy and could be the first black president. Huck is not too old, not too young, and is a conservative who knows what trendy is.

Whether they meet in the general or not, it's certainly been an interesting study so far.

MORE 1/18/08

The above was meant to be at least partially sarcastic, but re-reading it perhaps the sarcasm didn't come through very clear. Let's cut to the chase, then.

The gamesmanship being displayed by the Huckabee campaign is really shocking considering his background. It sure looks like Huck deliberately demagogued the flag non-issue to appeal to the NASCAR dad voter, many of whom still secretly revere the battle flag as a symbol of southern pride even if they're too modern to admit it publicly. In a weird way he was attempting to take ownership of the southern vote over McCain and Romney. He's a crafty one, that John Huckabee.

If all it takes is something that simpletonian to cause a rise in the polls, Fred Thompson might as well just quit today. But it's just so tempting to carry on...