As George Washington once said to John Adams, "It takes two, baby, that's me and you!"

1) Come again? Someone, please tell us why Chet Edwards' name was floated Friday before Ob's announcement. I hope it was worth whatever convoluted favor was asked, because, when coupled with the Drudge headline - "He Never Even Vetted Her" [8-22-08] - well, that's just a poke in the eye with a sharp stick for some folks.

2) Politics 102: "Examining the History of the 'Brother' in American Politics": This week we not only have George Hussein Onyango Obama found living in a hut in Kenya, we also have that more problematic brother, Tony Rodham, meeting with McC's people in Pennsylvania. Yikes! to both.

3) Mister "Annoying at Any Speed" calls in: Ralph Nader phones in to Politico to offer his prediction on Ob's v.p. pick (It's HRC, says Ralph, but adds that Sam Nunn would be better). So Ralph, what have you been up to these days? Got some time on your hands? Who will you be phoning next? [Politico.com 8-19-08]

4) Meddlers at the Gates: According to a story in the WSJ [8-18-08], a group of "liberal bloggers" is raising money to campaign against Democratic Rep. Chris Carney in Pennsylvania because he failed their ideological purity test. Salon columnist Glenn Greenwald, identified as an organizer of the effort, says, "I would rather see a smaller majority but fewer Blue Dogs than a big majority with the Blue Dogs in charge." Hey Glenn, there's a bridge up in Pike County in need of repair. I'm sure the good people of the 10th District can count on your help, I mean since you're so concerned about their welfare and all.

5) Saddle sores: Now that it's mandatory to mix religion and politics again, Rick Warren needs to fix his "cone of silence" before the 2012 race. Perhaps next time he can hold both candidates in a sensory deprivation tank for 24 hours before he starts the questioning. "Tell us, what did you see while you were in the tank?"

6) Malcolm, next time let Tom Hagen do the talking: According NYP's "Inside Albany" column by Fredric U. Dicker [8-18-08], New York State Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith told a group of lobbyists at a fundraiser that they should think of the event "as being like an IPO, an initial public offering." According to one attendee, "He said we should get in early because then it doesn't cost as much" and that it would be "painful after November" and the assumed new Senate Democratic majority, for those who don't contribute now.

7) Hey! I have an idea. What about Amy Carter? Proving that the concept of an "open letter" on the Internet is a clumsy and completely ineffective tool in politics, Michael Moore [MichaelMoore.com 8-19-08] implores vetter-in-chief Caroline Kennedy to choose herself for Ob's veep. Hey Mike, nice how you slipped in "I knew your brother John." We're impressed.

8) Since you beltway types wouldn't be caught dead holding it: The September '08 issue of Mad magazine, that neverending creation of the late William M. Gaines, not only features a morphed "Alfred E. Obama" on the cover (with a bumper sticker reading "Yes We Can't"), but also sends up MC in an ad for the film, "No Country For Old Man," with the tag line: "Running The Nation? This Guy Shouldn't Even Be Driving!"

9) Please, oh please, oh please, some excitement at last, oh please: The American Conservative Union's David Keene on McC picking Joe L. as his veep: "Lieberman would blow things up. That would be like Obama picking some right-winger that agrees with him on one thing." [Politico.com 8-19-08]

10) Cindy, incidentally, it looks like you got a sis: Mrs. McC, it looks like you can stop calling yourself an "only child" now that your half-sister is all riled up. Proving once again that politics is the all-seeing eye, the great leveler and the birthplace of entertainment.