The Sunshine Empire

While out stimulating the American economy yesterday I listened to a bit from the late comedian Bill Hicks shortly after the election of Bill Clinton. Hicks loathed H.W. Bush and his set always included jabs at the now former President. He made the comment that although he longed for the moment that Bush would be defeated, it had an unintended side-effect. With Bush out of office it left him lacking a main source of material.

I find myself feeling akin to the late Mr. Hicks now that the legendary 2008 Democratic nomination process is over. The political intrigue will taper off and we’ll just enjoy the silly season until the national conventions begin in August. Until then we’ll just bake in the sauna-like atmosphere of Florida in the summer. To be sure there will be political matters of commentary worthy nature. Polls are indicating in this early part of the season that Republican stronghold senate seats in Kentucky and Mississippi are surprisingly up for grabs. I won’t hold my breath about Democrats actually capturing those seats, but it does mean that the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee will have to expend resources there and will not be able to spend those scarce dollars on regaining any Democratically held seats. The math of Republican vs. Democratic seats up for election was decidedly slanted to the GOP in 2006, but in 2008 it is the Republicans with far more seats up for grabs.

The possibility of Democratic gains is not good news for Republican Joe Lieberman. Uncle Joe has been wearing out his political welcome by campaigning for Senator McCain and offering to Zell Miller his way into the Republican convention in St. Paul. If Democrats pick up Senate seats in Virginia, New Mexico, and possibly New Hampshire, the junior Senator from Connecticut could find himself kicked to the curb.

Yet as enjoyable as the summer is, the fall will be epic in scope. With the Presidential election and the Congress up for grabs at the same time as college and pro football in full swing, there will be reams to write about. All this and a Bond movie as well. It will truly be the most wonderful time of the year. Until then it’s more sunblock and hot dogs.