The Reaching Game.

Of course, Spring Break could not even escape the election madness. It has totally consumed the news networks, and thus our minds, such that sometimes the story itself will be just how ridiculous all this has become.

We were all listening when the candidates started out with their optimism and determination to "get away from the way we've always done politics". And we've watched as the candidates have slowly but surely digressed to the point of bringing the general public to nausea at the very mention of the presidential race. Yet, as the race continues and it becomes increasingly clear to the democrats that the concept of "winning" the nomination may have to be rethought , the candidates-or the media-have turned to increasingly obscure issues.

Who's supporter has made the latest vacuous remark? Which spouse is helping or hurting who's campaign? These types of topics have effectively replaced concern over who has the best plan for health care reform or the clearest stance on the war. The media is applying that old adage of "guilt by association" with a fun game.

Here are the rules so far:
1. A presidential hopeful is automatically and inextricably linked to his/her supporters thus the following must hold true: supporter comment=candidate's true feelings. The supporter must meet one or more of the following criteria: famous (for whatever reason), affluent, family member, community or organization leader, or political office held currently or previously.
2. Accordingly, only by publicly "denouncing" or "rejecting" the supporter and/or their comments can the contender be let off the hook.
One must be considered a key or important supporter in order to enter into the above equation.
4. A candidate can receive the upper hand by: demanding denouncement or rejection before the connected candidate has an opportunity to do so OR denouncing or rejecting the comments/supporter before the opposition has a chance to pounce.
5. If the connected candidate rejects when they should denounce or happens to denounce without the proper fervor, he/she loses that battle and is considered a loser connected to a psycho (until they similarly or more intensely undermine the opposition)

Presently, there appears to be no end in sight; however, stay tuned for additional, more absurd rules as the reaching game extends further into the infinite abyss.