Recount

I'm beginning to wonder how much of both the Obama and Clinton strategy we witnessed this year comes out of professional analysis of the effectiveness of the behind the scenes tactics exposed in the made for TV movie "Recount"

Start with the MSM manipulation, add in the necessity to do a little street fighting when the situation requires it, and wash it all down with a liberal appetite for historic levels of inclusion in the decision making process.

For many of us our experience with the consequences of selecting rather than electing a president has been mind altering. Keeping in mind we are all Democrats here, the turnouts have been more than just enthusiastic, and the energy drawn by both campaigns have left what remains of the Republican party aging, withered, crippled, halt and lame by comparison.

I see Obama and the Clintons both as recognizing that far from being divisive of the party, the controlled chaos that comes from wondering what happens next is something comparable to the excitement of a kid opening presents.

In retrospect of the last year and a half Hillary has served as a good sparring partner for Obama even as we have McCain already down for the count having left us with images of Lieberman correcting his gaffs on Iraq and a number of kickme signs reading third term for Bush on his back.

The Karl Roves and Jim Bakers who kicked sand in our face in 2000 and 2004 must wonder where the 90 pound weakling liberals went. Some of them are already picturing all this brilliant exposition of issues, wheeling and dealing, generation of enthusiasm, and fight on at all costs spirit being applied to the legislative process.

When I think back on the last seven years we have the best collection of bad examples ever. Its like a textbook of what not to do. The short summary of that would be don't do or believe anything proposed by the Bush administration and the longer version would include don't do or believe anything proposed by a Republican.

Given we can learn from our mistakes, and it seems we have learned how to handle an election, and avoid a selection, its not like there aren't enough problems remaining to overwhelm any one indiviidual.

In besting Hillary Obama has shown he can handle the toughest of competitors with ease, his responses to her swiftboating have been rapid and effective leaving them lying swamped in his wake.