New Hampshire

GOP
John McCain won fairly easily. I think he was projected the winner about Noon yesterday. Wow. Other than McCain's Lazarus like-like comeback I'm not sure what surprised me more. The fact that Romney can't get his next door neighbors to vote for him or that Rudy ran neck-and-neck with Ron Paul. Does the GOP have a viable national candidate? I mean someone that can get voters to turn out for them? I'm not sure. So far the Dems are coming out in droves. They have a street fight brewing. But doesn't the GOP also have a hotly contested race. Why no excitement? So lets see how they currently stand:

McCain - Viable. People like his maverick ways. But will conservatives vote for someone perceived as soft on immigration and not a real "party" man? Plus, if the youth vote is important in '08 (and that's not a given - remember the "Deaniacs") will younger voters go for a guy who would be the oldest elected President ever? Older than even Ronald Reagan. I need a little bit more inspiration John.

Romney - Lots of money! Not very exciting. Seems to believe that the old GOP attack ad method is going to work for him. So far it hasn't. He may win Michigan though. His dad was governor, he was born there and has a solid organization. I'm not saying he's a favorite son but he may pull it off. Then what? Does Mitt become the front-runner?

Huckabee - Don't discount this guy. Southern governors have made it to the Oval Office recently, albeit from the other party - Clinton & Carter. If he can broaden his base past the Christian Coalition he may have legs. Interesting guy. Driven. Know anyone else that used to be obese, lost more than 100 lbs and started running marathons? You don't do that without singular determination. He's going to be a factor. Plus, he has Chuck Norris. Is there a Secretary of Ass Kickin' cabinet position? If not, there should be.

Rudy, Rudy, Rudy - President of 9/11. Believes that all he has to do is survive to Super Tuesday. He might be right. If Mitt takes Michigan and McCain or Huck win SC doesn't that throw it wide open? We've already seen comebacks by other candidates. Why not Rudy? It could happen. I can see him winning New York and Florida.

Fred - Hang in there. The writer's strike is almost over.

Ron Paul - God love you! Although if you do the Ralph Nader thing in November you may have to move in with OJ 'cause everybody is gonna' hate your ass.

DEMS
Okay, so you want change but maybe not that much. Was that the message last night? Or do older women want one of their own elected before their too old to care? (I know that sounds cruel but I'm "old" too so I can say that). Another remarkable comeback. CNN had Hillary dead and buried. I love watching Wolf explain why they were so wrong and then won't make a projection call until every other media outlet has already done so. Courage! And you wonder why FOX is killing you in the ratings. Somebody over there other than Lou Dobbs needs to grow a pair.

So where does that leave the Donkeys? Wide, wide open.

Hillary & Barack - Too close to call. Completely fascinating race. But will it play out past Super Tuesday? Will it take all of their energy before the general election campaign really gets started? Right now either one of them would have to be considered a heavy favorite in November. But it's January. Long way to go. Really long way.

John Edwards - It might be time to start packing it in. You definitely need to at least write a second speech. Something besides the little girl who died because of Big Insurance, the 50 year old guy with the cleft pallette, and veterans sleeping under bridges. It's insulting! I'm a veteran and somehow I've avoided sleeping outdoors. Reminds me of the time I met Al Gore and he told me, "Welcome home!" Like I'd been wandering around Africa with the frickin' Foreign Legion. Get a grip Johnny and give us a reason to vote or go back to your mansion by the mill.

Richardson - You're in there! Keep playing the middle and your on the ticket. Seriously, you belong in Washington. I mean I like Albuquerque but it has to be a step down from living in Georgetown or Potomac. Admit it. You just want to be able to eat lunch with the cool kids. You can't do that in New Mexico.