Somehow, Andrea, given your signature statement from "Li'l Bush," I'm moved to doubt that the metaphor went beyond you.

American politics is like a slightly overweight guy humping an enormous balloon, to the tune of vaguely pretty music.

You don't get that? Really?

Well, okay, this just shows me that I must work to refine my metaphors. I can only hope that MetaTexaco will open lots of new metaphor refineries soon.

Herring405

(tongue in cheek, of course)