Waiting for the Great Leap Forward...

I really should blog more. But I've got an excuse. Often, I've been moved enough by a subject to want to write about it. But in the time it takes me to collect my thoughts to write something coherent here, I either lose the spark, or the subject cools down in the public mind and I say forget it. That's why I've yet to publish my personal examination of ex-DC Mayor Marion Barry, or my thoughts on why so many hip-hop CDs this year are coming up short, sales-wise.

But here, a week away from a midterm election that I hope will bring sweeping change to this country, I want to weigh in again on the elections in my area. First of all, I'll be so glad when it's all over. When every commercial break on television brings a new, numbing round of "he said, he said," political discourse means less and less, and relentlessness of it all makes you want to drive a nail through your head. Or someone's.

Anyway, here are some of the political issues that have come up in the past day or so that are irritating me:

-JOHN KERRY AND HIS BIG MOUTH The last man to run for President as a Democrat shot off hios mouth yesterday. In front of an audience of California college students. Essentially, he told them to study, mind their grades, or they could end up "stuck in Iraq." "NO, HE DID-UNT," said Republicans.

Seeing an opening to perhaps fend off the expected dismal failure next Tuesday, the GOP jumped on with both feet and roughed up Kerry. I thought this was a one day story, but they're trying to get all they can from this, and the media is cooperating, of course. Kerry is calling the statement a botched joke and apologized. I believe him. Because if he had simply said, "stuck in Iraq, like George Bush," there'd have been no story.

I have one piece of news for Republicans who want to make too much of this: NOBODY GIVES A SHIT ABOUT JOHN KERRY IN 2006. The failed Presidential candidate we all love now is Al Gore. But you know they'll ignore this advice. Already I heard some dickhead "political consultant" named Mark Rozell on the local news stating that Kerry's statements could help Republicans because, as their last failed Presidential candidate, he's seen as the "leader of his party." By whom? Dickhead, no one considered Kerry the leader of the Democrats in 2004, and certainly not now. Let it die, GOP. You look desperate.

-MICHAEL STEELE THE HAND PUPPET Let me take some time to show some un-love to my man Steele again. Faced with dismal polls, hammered for his false claims of "independence" from unpopular Republican positions, MD Lt. Governor Michael Steele has an explanation for why he has never broken ranks with Governor Bob Ehrlich: job loyalty. Basically, Steele has said that he has not asserted himself since taking office because he has not wanted to break with Ehrlich, whom he considers his "boss." If elected to the Senate, he says, he will break his record of lock-step party loyalty and be his own man.

This smacks of pure horseshit. Given this line of logic, Mike, you would never go against party leadership or the President because, technically, as a freshman Senator, they'd be your bosses, too. Wow, that was too easy. Give me a little something to work with.

And for Wayne Curry and the other aggrieved African American Democrats who have abandoned their party's nominee to support Steele, I understand where you're coming from. Maryland's Democratic Party leadership does take Black folks for granted. But Steele ain't the horse to bet on, guys. Look into a third party. And hey, Wayne, your support did Rushern Baker a hell of a lot of good, didn't it?

-BODY-SLAMMED IN VIRGINIA I want to say something profound about the journalist/blogger who got physically assaulted yesterday when he asked VA Senator George Allen whether he ever spit on his first wife. But frankly, I'm laughing too hard. The guy's pressing assault charges, and he'll probably sue. Good for him. At least, he didn't get called "macaca."

I think this race, more than any other local one, has me throwing up my hands. Jim Webb, the Democratic challenger, said some really sexist crap during Tailhook years ago. He writes books with nasty sex scenes. George Allen is a crypto-racist, who hits Bush-esque notes for cluelessness. And these guys won't stop slinging mud.

I have no stake in VA politics, but I do want Allen to lose this close race. But win or lose, I believe that any talk about George Allen for the Presidency is over now. If anyone out there is as sick of his disingenuous smile and dimwitted squint as I am, he'll be through in a few years, if not Tuesday.

That's my take, as of November 1st. All I'll say to conclude is, get out and vote Tuesday. Unless you're Republican. Just kidding. Not really.