With Sen. Barack Obama joining an already crowded Democratic field of six to either announce or form an exploaratory committee. Chris Dodd, Joe Biden, John Edwards, Tom Vilsack and Dennis Kucinich took the leap earlier. Now Tom Tancredo jumps in on the Republican side, joining “potential candidates” John McCain, Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani.
Gov. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas claims he hasn’t decided yet, but everyone in the state has known for years that he’s not just running marathons. He hasn’t blown over a quarter mil of the state’s money flying to New Hampshire and Iowa to check out the scenery. Not to mention appearances on the Tonight Show and the HBO show with Bill Maher and The Daily Show.
That doesn’t even include Al Gore, Bill Richardson and John Kerry, not to mention whats-her-name. It reminds one of the Claude Rains line in Casablanca, you know, “round up the usual suspects”. Only these people aren’t wanted for anything, at least most of them. Just think, there’s still plenty of time for the field to get even more crowded. Wesley Clark hasn’t announced, for instance. Ah-nuld has this pesky little thing called the constitution, not much of a deterrent, but a speed bump, nevertheless. (Didn’t he make a flick called “Running Man”?)
Before the dawn of New Years, 2008, I fully expect Steve Forbes, Alan Keyes, George Allen (the former Senator, not the dead football coach, his Father, although the latter has more charisma) and others to enter the fray. Erik Estrada, Burt Ward, Mariah Carrey, Screech from Saved by the Bell (sorry, forgot his name), the caveman from the Geico commercials ( he could actually improve the debate), the guy who changes my oil, the possibilities are endless
Naomi Campbell is another possibility, as long as she completes her anger management program and pays the social security taxes for that maid she hit with the phone. Or maybe if she doesn’t as long as the maid is not an illegal alien.
There is a get Walken2008 website touting the candidacy of Christopher Walken. I’m sure it’s tongue in cheek, but who knows?
Too bad Dick Cheney doesn’t take a shot. The field needs someone with his personality and charisma. Harry Whittington could attest to Deadeye Dick’s steady hand and impeccable judgement. What’s that you say, this article trivializes the whole political process? Have you slept through, say, the last 7 Presidential elections?
Speaking of trivia, if Obama or Tancredo was elected, either would be the first President whose name ends with a vowel. Oh, and by the way, did you know that Obama’s middle name is Hussein? I have a feeling we’re going to hear that a few times before Nov. 2008. That’s what passes for political debate these days. Why not throw your hat in the ring? Everyone else is.
