Michael Barone has some comments about the wide open shape of the 2008 election that are worth reading.  My own thoughts revolve around the way both parties are set to pick a nominee long before most voters will even start thinking about the presidential race.  Is this truly a smart political move in a nation that likes to have a wide variety of choices for everything from entertainment to ice cream flavors? I worry there will be too much time for voters to become dissatisfied with the major party nominees between when the early primary dust settles and when the filing date an independent run for president closes.  We have made a lot of fun about the "brand management" of the Democrat's antidote to cynicism, Barak Obama, but the same applies to the Republicans in the field.  In 1998, Minnesota's wrestler/actor turned politician Jesse Ventura only had to run...(Read Full Post)