Here's a twist on 2004

The USC Daily Trojan proposes a possible matchup that would be interesting. Powell once was Clark's Commanding Officer and recently disputed negative quotes attributed to him, actually praising Clark as a "gifted soldier." Now, the biggest problem with this scenario is that the Republicans could never put forward a pro-choice, pro-affirmative action candidate for President. Governor of California, yes, but not President. The base would implode. Unless they get particularly desperate...Hmmm.

Colin Powell v. Wesley Clark (or, "From the Pup Tent to the White House") Suffering from the lack of resolve in Iraq and our nosedive economy, Bush's current approval rating is the lowest it's been since he entered office.

If the Republicans know what's good for them, they will demote him to giving White House tours and designate sure-fire victor Colin Powell as their man. Despite his connection to the unpopular Bush Administration, Powell is still as popular with the American public as peanut butter and bad television.

If the Republicans pick him, the Dems would have no choice but to enlist the only similarly respected war veteran on their side, Wesley Clark.

This scenario is good for a number of reasons. Beyond the fact that they are both well-educated, highly decorated military generals, we mustn't lose sight of that one wonderful prerequisite that makes them most qualified of all: lack of political experience. From four-star general Dwight Eisenhower to haberdasher Harry Truman, America has been well served by presidents who did not have their roots in the slimy world of public administration and bureaucracy. And let's face it: whether it is picking up guys in a bar or electing them to civic office, there's just somethin' about a man in uniform.