Bracing for the worst

National | Can't wag the dog unless the dog wants to be wagged

Flag Day is supposed to bring forth outpourings of patriotism, but this year the politically astute are tuning into Hardball with Chris Matthews to adopt the proper jaundiced take on presidential politics: Gore could quite possibly win the presidency. Buchanan may draw support away from Bush. But Bush might pick a pro-choice running mate. Gore might lose the election, but Hillary might win the Senate, and anybody who thinks she's not running for president is crazy. And so forth. All of this speculation understandably gives us the creeps, and our reactions vary. Some of us start limbering up for our stints at the telephone bank (again), others of us console ourselves with the thought that these are the Last Days, while still others just stare at the television set dumbfounded.