Hustle and Flow

'Governor', like 'Mr. President', is one of those titles that you always use once a person has held that office (unless you're family)...and as a journalist, I don't think Jake should be on a 'first-name basis' with any candidate

"How are you doing, Governor?" Aren't you on a first-name basis with these guys, Jake?

This earlier move by the parties especially the Democrat party which started this early move is only beneficial to the candidates, because things will come up now against them while the majority of Americans are tuned out and the negatives will be forgotten by Nov 2008.

Things that will be forgotten - Hilary's and Obama's vote against funding our troops

Hilary receiving Donations from China and criminals

Obama and Edwards questionable actions with real estate - meaning Edwards with the off shore funds with the sub prime banks, Obama's questionable dealings with the mortgage company in Illinois

James is right this should not of started until January 1st, because anyhow what has anybody learned the debates by the liberal channels are joke and below the office of President, no content.

I dunno. I don't have a problem with the long campaign season. More debate = better. The downside is the advantage it gives to those who are best funded, ie what used to be a race is now a marathon.

If these are the choices for president, I think we can do with out!
There is no honor in this house, thanks to GW.

I'm afraid the Presidential Election Primary system has to implode before anyone will actually solve the problem (it being too long and too costly). And it could do just that, at least on the Republican side of the system, should even more Republican primaries get moved up.

I hope Political Punch kept that information intact. But if they didn't, know that 33 of the Republican primaries do not, as yet, have confirmed dates. Any or all could be changed.

In my opinion, there should be a national primary election. All states -- all political parties -- would hold their primaries (or caucuses) on the same day, like the first Tuesday in June. The political parties could then hold their state conventions in July and national conventions before Labor Day. Candidates should not be allowed to raise or spend any money before January 1. They would then have just 5 months to raise money and campaign before the primaries.

As you so adeptly pointed out in your WN report yesterday evening, more time and money are being spent long before any official political event occurs. I fear that most people will tire of this seemingly never-ending process and will ignore the most critical phase when they can actually vote for a candidate.

In my opinion, we should adopt the British system which has a limit on the amount of time (and money, if I'm not mistaken) to be spent on a campaign. Maybe then more people would become involved in the process and the process itself would be less like introducing a new advertising campaign to an uninformed public.