But tides can turn. Reed shouldn't count on his ambitions being stronger than the likelihood that the Democrats could regroup and defeat him. A last gesture of defiance, maybe -- but it would still keep him from winning his election to governor, and even as lt. governor.

Furthermore, the lt.gov.-ship has been virtually stripped of power by the state Senate's Republicans, and they're not likely to hand it all back over to a new lt.gov. just because he's GOP. State senators have ambitions of their own. And the result would be that Reed could spend his four years (if he won) standing around with nothing to do but make noise.

Becoming Governor would help remake his image--although I still wouldn't bet on him ever sitting in the WH.

In modern times Christians hold as the foundation for their society a true sober faithful gov't institution, not historically inclined for the natural inferiority of the pragmatized televangelism who's figures have a tendency to be extremist and, quite frankly, say dumb things and can't seem to escape hollow forms of self-display.

Though I think if we looked to the past to the kind of the world one is trained to want, we would see privacy is the favored viture of the adroit Christain. I think we will also find the majority, the voting majority, adroit. But it the acts of individual men who set the standards, these men, for these institutions who may indeed have power, lack the attractive yoke to run.

Though the yoke is not essential one could argue it helped Bush, with all the problems of the first term.

Jesse Jackson attempted to reflect a yoke, but the public saw through it, too many bodygaurds to fake anyone.

John McCain has the yoke, and has great chances.

Reagan had the yoke.

And others, might I say half of the '04 running Dem.'s had a little too much yoke.