So, we are a little under a year from the 2008 presidential election and there are so many questions ahead of us. Do we have a real front runner (No)? Is Hillary electable (No)? Who will emerge from a crowded, undifferentiated GOP field (Who knows)? What will be the defining issue be (immigration)?

I think most of us can agree on one thing. It is definitely time for a change. Eight years of Bush has been about two too many. I know many of my more liberal friends will say that it has been eight years too many, but that is for another time. I was a supporter in the beginning, but the mismanagement and fiscal irresponsibility has to come to an end. While his effort of good faith regarding spending have been nice to see lately, it’s too little too late. We need a new voice to hear and a new face to look at.

Now let’s get down to it. We know who is who on each side. Hillary is pretty much pre-ordained on the for the Donks, but the field is wide open on the Right. There is division in each party. The GOP cannot decide a) if the socons (social conservatives) or econs (economic conservatives) will win out, b) how far to distance themselves from Bush’s disasterous record on immigration and energy, or c) if they will select the best candidate or the one that can beat Hillary. The Dems cannot decide a) who hates George Bush most, b) who can provide the biggest, grandest entitlement program at the expense of the smallest number of people, or c) who can most effectively bring “universal” health care to America (excuse me…..barrrf!)

So my question is: with all this division, where the hell is the independent, where is the serious third party candidate? I think most Americans are tired of all this silliness from both sides. If most people are like me, they don’t give a rats-behind about gays having legal and adoption rights, think it is wrong to provide illegal aliens with services that legal taxpayers pay for, think that our time in Iraq is coming to a close and we need a sane exit strategy that doesn’t endanger our stategic positions, and think that it is time for the government to get a handle on spending (well, for the talk of some of my leftward friends, maybe not).

So where is the independent? Where is the person that can provide alternatives to the red and blue. Where is the green candidate, the one that blends laissez-faire social policy with demands for fiscal conservatism, a smaller, more efficient government, and a smarter State Department?

If an alternative candidate is to emerge, this year is the year. Will it happen (Feeling is no, hope is yes)? Who could it be (Michael Bloomberg anyone)?

What do you think? Is this the year that an serious independent capable of winning a state or two will finally emerge to set us on the path to a greater plurality of parties? Or will we be subjugated to another election cycle of politics as usual.

I would love to hear some thoughts…

Will he run? Is he electable? Can he save us?