With all the noise surrounding Hillary and Obama, it’s hard to remember that the Republicans also have to pick a candidate for President. We’re in a rare race for the White House. The sitting President has already served two terms so he’s disqualified from running again. And the current Vice President is: (multiple choice)

1. Too old
2. Too unpopular
3. Too evil
4. Too smart
5. All of the above

So across the nation Republican candidates vie to be selected as their party’s preferred candidate.

It’s funny having grown up in this system but it all makes sense to me. However not a day goes by when an Australian doesn’t remark on the utter complexity of the American voting system. I disagree until conversations turn to the Electoral College. How could George Bush lose the popular vote and win the election? I have to say I’m equally baffled.

But I digress.

The Republican field is crowded with a Mormon, a fundamentalist preacher, a Vietnam POW, New York’s 9/11 Mayor and a man called Huckabee. And these are just the front runners. As weeks progress the field will winnow. Not only do candidates face the excruciating scrutiny of the media and the non-stop activity, they must also fund their campaigns. And when poll place drops so do the funds.

By April we’ll know who is heading each party’s race to the White House. And then feathers will fly and there’ll be tears before bedtime!

Let the race begin!