Dilemma

So, here's the dilemma:

Short of something drastic happening, it looks like the Democratic nominee will be Billary Clinton.

On the Republican side, I think they will eventually come to their senses and nominate McCain. He's the strongest candidate they have, their best shot at retaining the White House. He has the backing of the press corps. He's the only candidate whose hawkishness is shielded by his actually having seen combat. McCain too old? They'll just put their top second choice in as VP. Let McCain croak in the White House. Who cares?

The good news: Based on their hardball tactics, and below-the-belt attacks on Obama, I figure the Billary Clinton tag team will fight a helluva fight in the general election.

(Update: Or maybe not?)

The bad news: So will the Republicans, throwing everything they've got at not one but two supremely-hated targets. Bill may be Hillary's weapon, but he's also her albatross. Twice the target, twice the ammunition, twice the hits.

No holds barred. You see, Obama's race protects him to some degree. The Republicans couldn't get away with overtly racist appeals of anywhere near the intensity and caliber as the raw sexism that we've already seen from Tweety and others. You can already see a sample of what's in store for Hillary.

Sure, they would subtly try to play the race card as much as they can get away with. But they will go all stops out with the gender card, and they will laugh about it all the way to the polls.

So, short of something drastic happening to make me wrong, I predict it's going to be a long, painful slog to November -- and (at best) a nailbiter election night.