I totally disagree, David. And I doubt that we'll come to an agreement on what constitutes experience, which is fine. I will say that it confounds me when the Clinton campaign tries to hammer home her experience.

For me, the least inspiring part of Clinton's campaign is the whole idea of experience because I don't think she has as much as she tries to pretend. 35 years in what capacity? Her experience as what? A lawyer in private practice (absolutely! She has a lot of that)? A senator (where she has more than Obama, but somewhat less than lots of for-lifers)? A first lady (which for me is the least compelling of all)?

I guess I just don't think spouse of president qualifies one to be president. Though, truth be told, I do think I would have preferred Barbara Bush to her husband.

Overall, I think if her opponent were anyone other than Obama, with his clear self-definition as an agent for change, she would work the change angle more and that would be, for me, much more exciting than experience that just isn't there.

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My real "Guy" is out. I have a second choice, just for, you know, the horse race of it all, but really? Still wishing it had turned out for Edwards.

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If Edwards were still in, I would have a harder time deciding who I wanted to support. Hell, the same is true of Richardson and Kucinich. It's kind of a problem with the current system (one of many) that those of us not in an early primary place have less choice.

I'm still awake and my nose is runny. I think my kid got me sick. Sigh.

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I think my kid got me sick. Sigh.

They are squirmy petri dishes of charm and love.

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I totally disagree, David.

And a Daley isn't mayor of Chicago? And Kennedys don't run for office? And Al Gore got nothing from his father? And Pelosi got nothing from her father's experience in Baltimore city politics?

Politics is a family business. It's not something you get from graduate school. Not the horrible, sausage-making aspect of it.

The difference between their platforms is marginal - except she's got a better handle on health care. But she knows a lot more about political infighting.

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And sickness. Don't forget that Cass.

I'm also having a hard time trying to figure out who I want to root for in the Superbowl. I am over the Patriots, though I do like their zen-ish one game at a time perspective. But I like Eli Manning as the little-quarterback-who-could. Actually, I think I'm oddly charmed by the mythos of the whole Manning family.

Perhaps I'm overthinking this?

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FWIW, Kat we're not that far apart.

I would've voted for Edwards first, and thought Richardson was a strong choice.

I'm just afraid of Obama pulling a Carter - 4 and out, and 12 more years of Republicans.

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And sickness.

No lie. Though I will admit that my current pertussis was not given to me by a child. The child just gave me the virus that made me susceptible to le whoop.

It is just a darn good thing they are cuter than bugs.

Perhaps I'm overthinking this?

Maybe. But if you figure it out through logic, I will give you my root vote.

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Obama is a "Wire" fan. We'd have something to talk about if we met. Hopefully, he considers Clay Davis Something To Avoid. (No, I wouldn't vote for somebody cause he likes Omar. But I might hold it against him if he didn't.)

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I'd argue that the people you cited were successful at getting elected for name recognition, not because they suckled at the teat of their political parent.

Plus, this argument:

But she knows a lot more about political infighting.

Is very different than your first argument which was about policy stances:

I don't want somebody going into the White House making new and exciting mistakes because they don't have a grip on the vagaries of foreign policy or freakin' health care plans.

And I think you are wrong in part of your first argument because Obama has a better grasp on foreign policy than many, including Clinton. Health care plans? enh. I can only remember Hillary's extremely unsuccessful and politically tin-eared first attempt to get something done on the national level with health care.

And, again, you won't change my mind and I'm certain not to change yours. I guess that's also the beauty of our system.

In general, except for the extreme length of the campaign this go around, this has been a really interesting and engaging year for me in terms of politics. I think the undecided nature of it all has made it fun to follow both parties. There's a lot of really exciting energy in both parties (like the Ron Paul supporters!) right now. I'd like to think of it as renaissance of civic involvement or at least interest.

But frankly, I'd like to be able to listen to NPR and hear non-election news too.

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