I suppose I like Obama, but my support is pretty lukewarm right now. If Russ Feingold had decided to run, I'd support him. And if I were an advisor to Hillary, I'd be pushing her like nobody's business to keep that Senate seat come hell or high water -- with the possible exception of a governor's race. Then maybe use the governorship as a stepping stone to presidency.

I like Obama lots, but I'd really rather elect a President who has run more than a single Senatorial bid and part of a Senatorial term, you know? Which means governors and seasoned national legislators. Which is why Gore and (yech) Kerry still rank high with me.

And Hilary hasn't the chance in a snowball's hell of getting enough national support.

I'm once again reminded of a great MST3K moment, during SANTO VS. THE VAMPIRE WOMEN (a Mexican wrestler vs. vampires flick) where the henchpires of the lead woman are ceremonially draining the blood of some victim, strapped to an altar no less, into a chalice, and Mike pipes up with "this is what southern Baptists think Catholic Mass is all about". It was a true COMM moment (having gone to Mass every week until I was in High School; I'd also been an altar boy).

And if I were an advisor to Hillary, I'd be pushing her like nobody's business to keep that Senate seat come hell or high water -- with the possible exception of a governor's race. Then maybe use the governorship as a stepping stone to presidency.

Unless something goes really wrong, I bet Elliot Spitzer, who becomes governor in January, will be able to hold that seat for a good long while.

I think Hilary's done a really good job of retail politics in New York -- she's been focusing on getting little things done, she goes to Republican areas and tells people things they want to hear, etc. I don't know if she can make it happen nationally in the next two years, but she's made huge progress in New York.

J.K. Rowling announced on Dec. 21 the title of her upcoming seventh and final Harry Potter book: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, according to her British publisher, Bloomsbury. The publication date has not been set, though it's expected in 2007.

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I don't need to keep working today, do I??

Dear me, no. Surf the net and flit about. That's about all I've done all week. Of course, my coworker keeps calling me "Lame Duck" because I'm almost outta here! (Only 2 full days left!)

Because the stupid Pope is always trying to tell you what to stupid do.

The funny part is how many Catholics I know who are like, "Pope? What Pope? I must have blanked on you for a second there." Like selective voluntary blindness.

I get nervous whenever I hear people talk about "electability." I've been hearing that argument since '88, and I can't say the nominees have been anything to write home about.

Especially since the 2006 election signaled a clear change. "Me too" is the last thing that's going to work in 2008.

...

OK, maybe it's fairer for me to say that I want to redefine "electability" from the use it's had over the last 20 years. It's been defined as the ability to play safe and avoid rocking the boat. It needs to be the ability to articulate a Democratic Agenda in such a way as to get people's support.

The funny part is how many Catholics I know who are like, "Pope? What Pope? I must have blanked on you for a second there."

Growing up Catholic (Lite) myself, I was very surprised and amused to hear that. If I'd been more self-possesed then, I would probably have responded with something like "That's really more of an 'on paper' thing. He's less important than you think."

Unless something goes really wrong, I bet Elliot Spitzer, who becomes governor in January, will be able to hold that seat for a good long while.

Fair enough. And I don't think she should start any intraparty battles. I'm thinking more that she should have some executive experience other than being the executive's wife.

Ideally, I'd advise her to hang on to that Senate seat forever. She could be one of the Greats if she plays her cards right. Especially as a Committee Chair.