T'was the week before Christmas

Yes, it's hard to believe that Christmas is already upon us, and that means only one thing...

The Iowa Caucus is just two weeks from today, and the New Hampshire primaries are the following Tuesday.

I'm officially an independent, so I'm watching both sides. My picks?

It's far more interesting to watch what's happening with the GOP, since there's no real clear front-runner.

Personally, I'm partial to Giuliani. He's sitting in third in a couple of states, with Mitt and Huckabee splitting the lead elsewhere. McCain? I like his history, but I don't like his politics. Thompson? I like his movies, but he's just too late to the game.

With the Dem's, Clinton and Obama also in a statistical tie. Edwards is still alive, but I see him becomeing an also-ran. I think Hillary has been a little too cocky, and it's just a matter of time before she starts with the mud slinging at Obama... That will probably cost her more votes down the line, but it's the only way the Clintons know how to operate.

And the "Hill-a-copter" stunt? Please... there are far better ways to resonate with Midwesterners. Having your own helicopter at your disposal seems a little elitist... but it didn't really matter -- weather kept it on the ground, and she was forced to drive between events.


So.... Merry Christmas to all, and here's hoping for a brief reprieve from politics. And it will be brief. Four days. Come Boxing Day (Dec 26), it's going to be everywhere you look.