That is all anyone wants, a great candidate. When the Republicans have great candidates, the Democrats have to step it up. When Democrats have a great candidate, the Republicans have to go deep into the lineup and find something special. And when neither has a great candidate, we wallow in the shallow pool of mediocrity.

There are times when a mediocre candidate can be made to look great by the incredible weakness and shallowness of their opponent. Perhaps that is more often than not, and it appears to be the best way to describe the 2008 campaign for president.