Yes, there is an election going on in Canada, too, but it's almost like getting stuck watching Columbus vs Atlanta on a Saturday night while the Habs are crushing the Leafs on a channel that is not coming in.

The Canadian election process has been extremely predictable. No major mistakes. No major swings in momentum.

That projects to Niagara's election races quite closely. Although there will be some good races, things have progressed pretty much as expected.

The only thing I noticed out of the norm was a surprise, "guest appearance" by Dean Allison on a CPAC commerical with Tom Green being his wacky self. It's an election awareness promo.

At one point, when there is a series of TVs in the background, there's Allison during a Question Period speech.

Flukey, to be sure.

Even in regular circumstance, the U.S. political soap opera dominates day-to-day conversation for many of us.

The massive economic issues faced by the U.S -- and it would be naive to think it is not our problem, too -- combined with their election wrangling, is garnering more attention than our own races.

It is kind of fun to be on the outside looking in at that carnival.

Everything from Republican hopeful John McCain taking on Democrat Barack Obama's lack of experience as a main campaign plank, then turning around and bringing on a political neophyte in Palin for his ticket has made him look like an an extremely poor decision maker.

It would be really interesting to know just how much he had to say about her selection. He seems like a solid fellow, and he has few detractors. Many say he is a voice of reason and well-calculated thought.

Without getting into any of the other issues that Palin brings to the table, and there are many, it is remarkable that someone two years removed from being a smalltown mayor could be considered for vice-president of the U.S.

That would be like Stephen Harper choosing Lincoln Ald. Peter Randall as vice-Prime Minister. Sure, he might be doing a fine job as an alderman, but would a national-scope voter put their faith in a candidate who had no experience at that level?

Perhaps, if they were voting blind for the political party involved. But it certainly would not make any sense from my vantage point.

The sad things about the U.S. campaign which I have heard many times in recent weeks are: it's Obama's to lose, if he doesn't get shot (no kidding, I've heard that 10 times in the last two weeks), and if it's close, those yokels down in Florida will swing it to the Republicans.

Every country has its wing-nuts, but the U.S. sure seems to have more than its share when it comes to racial intolerance.

I can't beleive that race is even close. With the state of disrepair their economy is in, their standing on the world stage and their internal psyche, the Bush-slanted regime can't get out of the White House fast enough for my money.

As for Canada's race, which is just past the half-mile pole, it is all about catching the front-runner.

We'll all see if Stephen Harper has the staying power to hold on or if Stephane Dion can rally his troops down the stretch.