McCain looks like the man to beat, and he is getting some great endorsements.  I still rate it too close to call on the republican and democrat side, but we do have front runners (McCain and Clinton).  That can change with the slip of a tongue.

As for Florida, that does not count (believe it or not, we have an actual case of voter disenfranchisement, and it is the democrats doing it!).  So that is a no win for Clinton.  The Kennedy endorsements seem to have given Obama some new found traction, as well as his big win in SC.  The Dem race is much more interesting (to me at least, and I doubt I will vote for either).

But I got to take the points and go with FLA.  The Gamecocks have not been any good since they left the ACC.

{Note to Adnauseum: The last is just a joke on the College Basketball season in reference to your subheading}

I love to read comments like yours.  It does give us a more global view of what exactly we are doing (kind of hard to realize how silly we look when we are in the middle of the mud puddle).

Now I dont think you are right (too many 'Unlikely to go past Feb 5's), but it is a refreshing look.  And I do agree with many of your picks.

And for the record, Thompson is out as of yesterday.

Go for it!  We need color commentators that can provide a unique few to this 3 ring circus of an election!

Go for it, you're just as qualified to comment on our elections as we are... we just get to make our official. ;~D

I have to say though, I hope you're wrong, McCain cares too much about getting along for the sake of getting along.  I can't think of one "McCain-Democrat of the day" bill that didn't turn out to be a fiasco.

But my guy was the one who needs to talk to his agent, so....

Not only NOrth Africa, but other states in Africa have oil wealth.  But your point is well taken.  The US is not made up of 50 economically similar states.  But rather 50 unique states (some rich, some poor), that have a common understanding that they are dependant upon the others for self preservation.

We have our regional rivalries, but the over riding determination is that we are Americans.  And while the 13 colonies merged to initially form the country (out of self preservation), the other 37 were brought in from a position of non-entitiy.  So it was easier.  That does not say it is impossible, but the one thing that they would have to do first is to minimize tribal affiliations in order to understand that the whole is greater than the parts.  And that will take time and sacrafice.

Germany had it relatively easy.  And it was hard for them.  Yet they shared a common heritage and language, just very disimilar economies and governments.  And another factor going for them was a short history of separation.  Still, it has been 17 years, and they are still stuggling - albeit they are determined and it will come about.

Africa has none of the advantages and most of the disadvantages.  That is not to say it is impossible, but the task is herculean to say the least.