Inspired by today’s page one WaPo splash. My worry is that no one on our side matches up well with the Messiah: Romney’s too plastic, McCain’s too old, Rudy’s too one-note, and Huck’s really just selling a less historic, less charismatic version of what Obama’s selling himself. Fred would present the starkest contrast but I’m not confident in his abilities on the trail and a “tradition vs. change” campaign smells like a loser to me this time. Bill Kristol thinks Huck would stand a chance, especially if Bloomberg jumped in to pull votes from Obama, but would a de facto Democrat like Bloomberg really jump in if Obama’s the nominee? He won’t beat him; at most, he’d play spoiler for the Republicans.

The world’s leading “conservative of doubt” expects plenty of aisle-crossing come November by disgruntled Republicans who aren’t “anti-immigrant,” so let’s test that theory with the following poll. All I ask is that you vote how you expect to vote in the winter. Don’t just hit “I’m staying home” in a fit of pique over Huck. Imagine yourself faced with the very real possibility of a Democratic victory. Hop to it.