It certainly seems that the '08 presidential election is the DFL's to lose. The GOP is pretty bruised and battered over the issues related to Iraq. ...but then, the DFL hasn't truly been very "united" since they lost the Legislative majority in '94. The coalition of special interests at the core of the party have not been able to effectively agree on the primary planks of a national platform. Getting Congressional leadership back, as they did last year, may lead to a "Centrist Democrat" victory. It's been a long time, however, since I saw a true "centrist" in the leadership of either party.

The GOP, also, has no clear leadership outside the oval office. Without an incumbent VP as a rally point, the power struggle for the control of that party is likely to get a little bloody, in a manner of speaking. This can only hurt their chances...

Personally, I doubt that the country is quite ready for a female president, so Hillary may prove to be more of a distraction than a help in the war against the conservative "war mongers" of the GOP. Similarly, Obama is unlikely to garner wide support in the "defense" states, so provided that these key players understand these truths, and throw their support behind an "electable" character like a McCain, the DFL could win pretty easily.

It's too early to know for sure, but this coming election cycle could set the course for our country for the next decade or more.

Fasten your seat belts, folks. this could get ugly!