People Who Live In Glass Houses...

And so the Bush administration coasts along on fumes as the US turns its thoughts to who will next occupy the White House. It was fascinating to see the recent meeting between the Republican candidate, John McCain, and Deep Thought. McCain kept the great man waiting and seemed at pains not to appear too friendly. It may be that he wanted the endorsement and the votes of the numbskulls who thought Bush was doing a great job and re-elected him, but didn't want to alienate those voters who are likely to vote GOP but don't like "W". I suspect that the car which drove McCain away from the White House had no rear-view mirror. I further suspect that one of the most entertaining side-shows next November will be the efforts of the Republican Party to keep "Brains" as far away from the candidate as possible. He long ago shifted from being an embarrasment to being a liability.

Meanwhile the Democrats are trying in vain to keep the Obama/Hillery contest polite. Despite calls for a debate on the issues, free from personal rancour, matters such as race and record are continually floating to the surface. Much of the trouble has been caused by supporters and campaign staffers - the two candidates regularly find themselves in the difficult position of having to distance themselves from long-time associates. This week, Obama had to cut his ties with his pastor, a man with whom he had a twenty-year assocation - the man who had married the Senator and baptised his children. Ouch.

Hillery, looking more desperate by the day, continues to suggest that Obama just isn't ready for the responsibilities of the Presidency. And she seems likely to fight to the bitter end. Even if she fails to win the majority of delegates, it is still possible for her to get the nod, for tactical reasons. Were this to happen, we could see war within Democrat ranks, with Obama supporters crying foul. The question on everybody's mind is whether the party will be able to heal the scars of this contest and consolidate support for the eventual victor? As the battle between Hillery and Obama gets nasty and mired in personal ire, it seems less likely that the final round of this game will be Happy Families!