Susan Lenfestey: I think that's one too many

John McCain may be too ... whatever, but as dysfunction in the opposing party continues, he's in a pretty good position.

By SUSAN LENFESTEY

Last update: April 5, 2008 - 5:25 PM

My name is Susan, and I'm an addict -- a political junkie. I've been on a bender that I wish would end.

The vast amounts of time and money already spent on this election are obscene, and I've contributed my small share of both. I'm powerless over my addiction. (Note to candidates: Don't call, I'm trying to quit.)

Like most binges, at first this one was a real high. My side had a line-up of bright and well-qualified candidates who displayed a grasp of issues as dazzling and varied as their life experiences. They were upbeat and articulate, and they spoke of a better America, facing its challenges with intelligence and courage.

The Republicans, in contrast, had a bunch of musty middle-aged men who seemed to have stumbled into the light of the 21st century like time travelers from a long-gone era, unsure if they were at a revival meeting or a war-games convention. Other than the deceptively affable Mike Huckabee, they spoke with one voice of a cowering America, fearful of Islam and the immorality of -- others. They radiated a mean streak a mile wide and ideas an inch deep.

Like any addict, I figured more was better and wrote another check.

Then the buzz started to wear off. The losers fell by the side, and John McCain kept the wheels on his bus just long enough to emerge as the Republicans' choice, despite being considered too old, too liberal or two-faced.

On my side -- well, you know, we Dems aren't going to settle that easily.

We'll go down to the wire because we're idealistic and nuanced and not always terribly pragmatic. And we've been burned more than once when we handed the presidential baton to a candidate far too early in the race.

Besides, we have two strong candidates, grappling with the historic "firsts" of race and gender, and into that volatile mix somebody lobbed the grenade of religion. Even though Sen. Barack Obama's forthright and courageous speech on race and his pastor should have put that one to rest, it became a firestorm that "just won't go away," as the TV talking heads gleefully noted, fanning the flames with their inane banter.

So with Obama unable to deliver the coup de grace and Sen. Hillary Clinton unable to deliver the delegates, McCain tours the world striking presidential poses as if he's already won -- which he sort of has, if he can keep his mouth shut until November. Meanwhile, our once-proud ship of state edges closer to the falls, with our financial standing and our moral standing and our military standing all at risk.

Well, we addicts are no strangers to dysfunctional families, and the Democrats will manage to get along when push comes to shove. After all, we don't want the family to break up; we just want the bad behavior to stop. For starters, even though Mom's been hurt by Dad's popularity, she should play fair and stop making things up.

There's talk of an intervention, but the stakes are high and everyone knows you have to want to change first. This bender is a long way from over. Somebody pour me another drink.

Susan Lenfestey lives in Minneapolis and writes at the Clotheslineblog.com.

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