Throughout the many political ads and news stories about would-be Presidential candidates, I have noticed that one of the candidates often seems to be called by her first name, rather than her surname. I have a couple of theories about why this is. Theory number one is that people don't want to refer to her as "Clinton" because of a recent president with the same surname. Theory number two is that calling her "Hillary" seems more feminine, and more friendly. Theory number three is that she has been elevated to the status of those celebrities who are recognized by their first name, a la Elvis, Cher, Oprah, et al.

I don't think any other candidates have achieved this status, although I am beginning to hear one candidate referred to occasionally now as "Barak-" maybe because, for some reason, his surname seems to make some people nervous. As for the other candidates, their first names are all too common to ever put them in "first name only" status - I mean - Fred, Bill, Dennis, John, Mike, Joe ... come on!

The only possible exception is the former Governor of Massachutsetts. I don't know though, I'm not real comfortable with a President named "Mitt," are you?

Recently, we had a self-acknowledged "fringe candidate" for President stop by the office. I don't remember his surname, but I certainly remember the first name of the Mississippian - it was "Catch."

As I got to thinking about it that afternoon, it started to get me - a lifelong baseball fan - stirred up, thinking about the possibility of the fringe candidate approaching Governor Romney and getting on the ticket with him as a Vice-Presidential candidate.

I mean, I can see it now - the 21st Century version of "Tippecanoe and Tyler, Too-" "Get On the Ball With Mitt and Catch!"

I used to do an occasional short blurb I called "Musings Of an Idle Mind." Guess what? I think I've just resurrected it with today's column.

Happy 2008 - Election year!