I just completed a first draft of my dissertation. Now I wait. And while I wait I realized I may reignite my interest in the blog world . . . or maybe not. I don't know. A few months ago, I found myself reading everything else under the sun, but not my dissertation materials. I then decided to place a moratorium on any non-dissertation reading and voila, I found myself farther along than I expected and now I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

In the meantime I am fascinated to no end about this Tillman thing, his death and the apparent cover up. This is X-files stuff.

I'm still mulling a Democratic pick. Clinton's a no for me. I am slowly warming to Obama and I'm resigned to the fact that when push comes to shove, it'll be him. Edwards never quite did it for me. As for Biden, I used to like him. In fact, i was a big fan of Kerry and Biden in the 90s because I felt they were two people who pretty much talked straight and spoke common sense. But the Biden love wore off over the years and I am definitely not feeling it for him.

My preliminary take is that Gingrich or Thompson will take the GOP and Gore will jump in the race in response to a Thompson challenge. Thompson is a TV guy and like Reagan, will destroy anyone using the TV medium. There's no question that he can reach out through the tube and speak to people. However, early reports are that his fundraising is not going gang busters like everyone thought. So that's one we'd have to watch.

As for Obama, I was at the DNC convention and in the hall when he gave his speech and was swept away in the euphoria like everyone else. But he is more of a celebrity than a candidate with gravitas and that's his problem. He needs to change or refine his image or he'll fade when the question of electability comes up. It's all still early yet.