Let me say this to my fellow news mediums: When we decide to pick a new front-runner, we should take a hard look at Florida Sen. Bob ''Bob'' Graham. Really. I've known Sen. Graham for more than 20 years, during which I've interviewed him on a number of issues, and I've always found his answers to be thought-provoking. The specific thought they provoke is: ''Huh?''
Here's a true example. Ten years ago, I found out that the last remaining accordion-repair training program in the United States, located in Winona, Minn., was closing, leaving our nation's vital accordion resources dangerously dependent on foreigners. I called Sen. Graham's office, and he got on the phone personally. In rapid succession, he made the following statements, which I swear I am not making up:
• ''Just last night I ate at an Italian restaurant which, like thousands of other Italian restaurants across America, is now without music, because their accordion is in disrepair and has been returned from Winona, Minn., with postage due.''
• ''We are preparing an anti-dumping order against Liechtenstein, which has become the center of accordion repair on a global basis and has developed some ferociously anti-competitive practices.''
• ''I don't know whether the actual use of nuclear weapons is called for, but I do think we need a credible military threat.''
Back when Graham was governor of Florida, I asked him what he planned to do about the issue of harmonica safety. Without hesitation, he gave a two-minute speech, with statistics, proving that all of Florida's harmonica-related deaths were actually the fault of the previous governor. Really. And now he's running for president! If we in the news media don't do all we can to promote this man's campaign, we are even stupider than I thought.