Well, here we go. The election season has officially kicked off with the Iowa Caucus, where Barack Obama and Mike Huckabee were the winners. What's in a name? Apparently, nothing. Conceivably, we could wind up with either a President Obama, or a President Huckabee, or even a President Rudy or Hillary. (Sorry, no President Joe or Chris). We've come a long way, to our credit.So far, I've nothing to be irritated about, other than that politicians and politics are global irritants to begin with. What has been funny is Hillary Clinton's behavior since Barack Obama gave her a beatdown in Iowa. It is so interesting that after only eight years as a roommate in the White House and a few years as a United States Senator, she seems to think that she is the most experienced and capable candidate and is somehow entitled to the Democratic presidential nomination. Where do they get this stuff?
In a classic player hater's move, Ms. Clinton admonished voters not to get "false hope" in Mr. Obama, insinuating that she was the only candidate prepared to deal with a grueling general election and the vitriol and enmity of the Republican party.
Huh? How about a little personal responsibility for your loss instead taking yet another negative swipe at Obama? He kicked your ass, your campaign organization failed in Iowa, end of story. Iowans liked him (and Edwards) better than you - move on.
Polls now show Obama with a 10-point lead over Clinton heading into Tuesday's New Hampshire primary, with things getting very interesting.
As we move into the season, I have a host of considerations before I can make up my mind about these candidates. Do I have to prefer Barack Obama because I am Black? While I have an enormous amount of respect for him, he hasn't moved me personally. I read his book "The Audacity of Hope," and while his message may have been heartfelt and sincere, I found it at times obvious and cliched. If George W. Bush was ultimately elected because he was the candidate that you would most like to go out with and have a beer, I guess Obama would be the candidate I would most like to go to the club with or perhaps shoot some hoops. Not necessarily the criteria I'd use in selecting a presidential nominee.
And just who the hell is Hillary Clinton? Is she our best hope for a brighter future, or is she just plain scary, willing to do anything to be elected President? Who knows what direction she will take us President? Her specious argument that she is more experienced and qualified than anybody in the Democratic field for the job is both troubling and off-putting. Can you even trust somebody that wants the job that badly?Finally, am I naive in the fact that John Edwards' message, with his stated intention to help those less fortunate in this country and his promise to take on the corrupt and powerful interests than currently control our government and our society, resonates so deeply within me? That I see him as the best hope for this country during this divided, ineffectual period in our history? Or is he just another pretty boy in a suit, full of promises and low on delivery? Time will only tell. In the meantime, I'm going to sit back, take it all in, and try to make an informed decision. More on this campaign stuff later. 
To alleviate my winter doldrums, I'm really amped about the premier episode of (regrettably) the final season of The Wire, the best show on television. The fact that this show has never been recognized for its brilliance with any awards is both a badge of honor and a disgrace.
May the writer's strike last forever.
No Diggity
