Lookin' better than a body has a right to

Remember that old Dolly Parton song? "Here you come again and here I go …" I'm watching Sen. John Edwards address a barbecue in New Hampshire. He's so gorgeous.

He's talking about how we don't need politicians, we need leaders. He's talking about the heart of the American people, and how the world doesn't realize that in addition to being powerful, we're decent and caring. He talked about Darfur and New Orleans, about healthcare and poverty. I agree with everything he said and was striken by how long it's been since our dialog has included talk about the less fortunate and our responsibility to our fellow citizens, fellow humans.

I was also, truth to tell, striken by how good that blue shirt looks with his blue eyes.

That's not all, of course. I love how proud he is of wife Elizabeth, who is waging a battle against breast cancer. I love his moonlight and magnolias voice, and how his hair looks in the sunlight.

Having a crush on a possible president makes me uncomfortable. My never-disguised lust for Edwards was OK back in 2004 because he was undeniably our vice presidential candidate. Senator John Kerry was the top of the ticket, our alpha. There was never any Bush/Cheyney "whose in charge here?" confusion.

But with the possibility of John Edwards being our candidate, and our president, in 2008, I'm not sure my distinctly carnal feelings are appropriate. Politicians should be leaders. Presidents should be even more than that. Viewing the president as my dream date just seems wrong somehow. Frivolous. Icky/incestuous. Like being in love with your minister.

So instead I'll turn to ESPN, and more comfortable territory. Why look at that! Greg Maddux is taking the mound for the Los Angeles Dodger! The 12th most winning pitcher in the history of baseball, the one with the sweetest baby face, is about to face Barry Bonds in the heat of a pennant race. Dodger blue doesn't look as good on him as Cubbie blue did, but to me he still looks better than a body has a right to, too.