What do ocean liners turned upside down by a tidal wave and political straw polls have in common?
Either way, there's got to be a morning after.
The news channels and websites will be gurgitating and regurgitating the who, what, when, where, why, what does it mean, what does it really mean, what does it really mean to who and when will it mean it, et al, of Bachmann's first place finish in Iowa yesterday for days without end.
Or until the next poll/primary/state fair comes along.
And since I'm only an uncredentialed civilian with a dream, a song in my heart and a blog site to my credit, I'll spare you long, run on sentences adding more gurgitation to the gurgitating and regurgitating.
And simply offer these few quick observations on the straw poll, 2012 Iowa State Fair edition....
First, credit where due, first is first. And in the first "contest" of the 2012 electoral marathon, Bachmann came in first.
Second, like any reasonably savvy politician, Bachmann is taking that state fair ribbon and waving it around like a "we're number one" foam finger.
Third, there will continue to be, as there have already been, the inevitable observations that in one of the few big league countries left in the world that has still never elected a female leader, her future journey down that road most certainly owes any success it will eventually have to, at least in part, the plowing that Hillary did four years ago.
Fourth, it looks like the state fair was a lot of fun this year for kids of all ages.
That said, here are some thoughts regarding my observations.
Regarding number one...granted, she came in first...but looking at the numbers, I'm thinking that had just a few more folks, give or take, made it from the Tilt A Whirl to the voting tent in time, today's buzz name would be Ron Paul...
Regarding number two...again, congrats on being number one, there, Bachmaa'm, but a reasonable case could be that winning the Iowa straw poll is tantamount to winning the vice presidency of the United States which was described, many years ago by someone more insightful than I, as being "no disgrace...but no distinction, either..."
Regarding number three...to paraphrase the legendary, cutting edge stand up comedy chops of Sen. Lloyd Bentsen, "we know Hillary, we're friends with Hillary....Congresswoman, you're no Hillary...."
And, finally, regarding number four....I'm not sure about the genuine clout value of anything awarded to anybody by a group of people who had just spent hours riding the aforementioned Tilt A Whirl, after which enjoying a repast from what they consider to be one of the two major food groups, deep fried sticks of butter.
An arguable point to be made about their ability to think and vote responsibly with that kind of cholesterol buzz working aside, it occurs that whatever support she received won't translate into votes next year at the actual caucus because those hearty and faithful will be deader than Newt Gingrich's campaign.
Like I said, the experts will offer much more insightful perspective on all of this than I ever could.
Then again, I'm guessing Bill O'Reilly wouldn't think to use the queen of Karaoke, Karen Eng covering Maureen McGovern playing in the background of the post game analysis.
Apparently, we all have our gifts.
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