[masadaman]

Most insightful. Some other outsider, no name recognition, eventually winning candidates come to mind including Lincoln (basically a railroad lawyer), T. Roosevelt and Truman (both first succeeded to the office, then were elected, but would have been highly unlikely nominees) and, of course, Eisenhower who was hardly a Washington insider, never having held elected office.

Barring another 9/11-type attack here or in Europe, Hunter and other conservatives who may join the fray in 2008 face the 'short memory' syndrome of Americans generally and really poorly educated post boomer generations who view life as a reality show or a video game.

My fear is that as history typically telescopes at sonic speeds, we will substitute our remaining vestiges of judgment and common sense for a ticket of the brainless and spineless whose only attribute is making moronic talk show hosts look brilliant.

[MNJohnnie]

My fear is that as history typically telescopes at sonic speeds, we will substitute our remaining vestiges of judgment and common sense for a ticket of the brainless and spineless whose only attribute is making moronic talk show hosts look brilliant.

I really wish I could disagree. I really really wish I could but after listening to all these middle age women gush about how "Sexy" they found Bill Clinton during the 1996 Campaign my faith in the American people is serious eroded.

Louis the 15th Mistress supposedly said "Après moi le Deluge" "After I the flood)I fear the USA is headed the same way.