That's true, Jason - Reagan is famous for switching parties because of an awesome line he gave to explian it - "I didn't leave my party, my party left me".  There were times in the last eight years that I wondered that about the Democrats myself, but with Obama, I'm firmly back in their camp.

"I didn't leave my party, my party left me." 

I know that feeling.

In typical Reagan fashion, when opponents tried to make his Democratic past into a weakness, he turned it into a strength.

Reagan was able to connect with millions of blue-collar workers, who always had voted Democratic, but who were alienated by liberal candidates like Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale. Reagan was able to say, "Hey, I understand where you're coming from." I'm not sure a life-long Republican could've done that.

I think party-switching will continue to become more and more common. Compared to America 50 years ago, we live in a much more transient society. People no longer stay where they grew up and work at the same employer for 30 years. No reason to think that sense of mobility won't also affect voting habits.

FWIW, it's arguable that Franken is more of a businessman than his opponent, who worked as a prosecutor for the Minnesota attorney general's office before entering politics. 

Most lawyers are required to take business law classes in law school.  Running a law firm (or even a prosecutor's office) requires business and budget management.  Even "just" being a prosecutor would require (in numerous ways) a working knowledge of how business operates (assuming that prosecution of "business crimes" is part of his or her responsibilities.) 

But I think the larger idea of american government being run like a business is a ridiculous notion.  By its very nature Government cannot be run as a business.  Businesses are created to make money.  They are "bottom line" oriented.  Since FDR changed the paradim in this country, American Government is designed to provide some services that by design lose money or do not result in profit but are "for the good."  With exception of Ron Paul and other idealogues, even the most "traditionally"* conservative Republicans would not argue that certain government functions, such as education, health and human services (such as those directed at social welfare and the poor) are not necessary.  The argument has been around implementation and scope -- whether those functions are better served on a state/local level or a federal level.  And if on a federal level what the cost/scope would be.  This admission -- that money/resources be directed toward things that do not generate profit -- is anathema to sound business principles.  Government cannot be run as a business.  And based on this past election it does not appear that the American People really want the government to be a business.**

*Edited to distinguish: by traditional I mean the Jeffersonian ideas of limited government -- not to be confused with the insidious "social" conservatism to which I decidely do not subscribe.

**Note I am not articulating that government cannot be fiscally responsible -- it should.  I am arguing that the way one runs a business is entirely different than the way one runs a government.

I'm just sayin'

I am happy to report that Jodi's enthusiam has not led to the creation of website for a candidacy that will never, and could never, happen.

But I love ya for it Jodi!

Hey, I'd vote Gibson in 2010! Maybe your campaign slogan could be, "A comic book in every pot."

I don't think Al Franken's show business background disqualifies him from public office in any way. We need people with a wide range of work experiences in Congress, not just attorneys and career politicians. 

Franken perhaps would have been better served to have sought a lower-level office first and built some experience before running for U.S. Senate, but his career as a comedian and writer (and a really good one at that) shouldn't be seen as a strike against him.

However, politics aside, I hope he loses because he comes across to me as a Grade-A jerk.

Hey, I'd vote Gibson in 2010! Maybe your campaign slogan could be, "A comic book in every pot."

That would get me about 7 votes! 

Well, if I ever get elected president, I'm going to ignore my conservative leanings and nationalize the comic book industry.

John Byrne will be appointed Secretary of Comic Books and a combination of price controls and subsidies will lower prices back down to 35 cents per issue (50 cents for double-sized books).

Oh, and I'm going to develop an economic incentives plan for Hostess Pies and Twinkies, so they can bring back those cool ads in the back of comic books.

Hey, I've got about as much chance of pulling this off as Ralph Nader goes of getting elected, right?

Hey, I've got about as much chance of pulling this off as Ralph Nader goes of getting elected, right?

Better, I'd say.