Two weeks ago, I traveled from Washington, D.C., to Carson City, Nev., a distance of more than 2,600 miles, to watch a political debate on TV.

I could have watched the debate live in Washington. There are TV sets in Washington -- I own one -- but watching the debate here would not have been the same.

It would not have been the same as sitting in a gymnasium at a folding table watching the debate with 100 other reporters on a dim TV with bad color. (Did Hillary Clinton really wear an orange pantsuit? Was Dennis Kucinich’s shirt really green?)

The actual debate was going on live and in person someplace near me. Where, I am not sure, because we in the press don’t bother to ask any more.

SACRAMENTO - - If Arnold Schwarzenegger had been born in Austin instead Austria, he might be president today.

But because that office is denied him by the U.S. Constitution, he is concentrating on other things.

He told me in a 45-minute interview in his office in the state capitol recently:

- - He will not rule out running for future public office including U.S. Senator or Mayor of Los Angeles when his term as governor expires in January, 2011.

“Hillary has a great belly laugh," Terry McAuliffe said. "Have you ever heard her belly laugh?"

Hmmm. Lemme think.

“She’s tanned, she’s rested, she's…"

Gimme a second, gimme a second. OK, no. I have never heard Hillary Clinton’s belly laugh. Though I am looking forward to it.

What if they gave a debate and nobody came?

What if the media-political complex announced a presidential debate, hired a hall, sent out invitations, lined up 200 folding chairs for the press, and then the major candidates said: "Stick it in your ear. We’re not coming."

That could happen this year for one good reason: Major candidates are complaining that too many states are planning too many debates too early.

Going to a Democratic cattle call is like going to a grocery store and thumping the fruit to see if it’s ripe.

On Friday, the Democratic National Committee heard from six presidential candidates and four more will appear Saturday at the Washington Hilton.

The candidates have a high bar to get over. Four years ago, Howard Dean spoke at this event and electrified the crowd with his "What I Want to Know" speech that almost single-handedly pushed the party Pooh-Bahs to the left, where ordinary Democrats already were.
"What I want to know is why in the world the Democratic Party leadership is supporting the president’s unilateral attack on Iraq!" Dean began.