The 4 Horsemen of politics

Over-the-Hillary Clinton, Beatnik Bernie Sanders, Deluded Donald Trump and Tyrannical Ted Cruz , like it or not, are the last four standing. Mini Marco Rubio and Gentleman John Kasich are out of it.

We have the Four Horsemen (pardon the sexism) of the Apocalypse.

At least Cruz doesn't waste breath or credibility claiming he will be a uniter. He won't and it's hard to see how any of the other three can unite anything other than a segment of their own party. Uniting America? Ain't gonna happen. Too much loathing.

Clinton can unite more Democrats than any GOP candidate can the Republicans, assuming Sanders falls into line (which he will). Neither Trump nor Cruz can unite as many Republicans because too many are too pissed off and they'd rather see the GOP ship sink than compromise.

Maybe the GOP doesn't have to be at the top of its game because a majority of Americans see Clinton as untrustworthy, but is she so bad as to drive the independents, the true deciders, into the arms of a showman who is estranged from the truth and a senator who is estranged from everyone?

Unlikely.

This race will unite at least some Americans – the ones who own stock in broadcast companies. The expectation is this will be one of the dirtiest, and more expensive, campaigns ever, with TV being the nuclear weapon and Super PACs going to town on each other.

I'm middle of the road and I don't like the middle because political agitator Jim Hightower once wrote, "There's Nothing in the Middle of the Road but Yellow Stripes and Dead Armadillos."

Each of the four has strengths and weaknesses, some more than other.

I feel that Clinton comes off as the most presidential and polished, but her studied delivery is like nails on chalkboard. She seems inauthentic, maybe because she's been running for president so long. There's nothing fresh there.

Sanders is authentic but his basic idea is to soak the rich and from what I've read if we take every penny from the rich, we're still in debt.

I never hear a word about personal responsibility from Democrats, other than to say they believe in it, but never require it.

Cruz is too conservative, too bound to religion and too tightly wound, but I do believe the Constitution is our guiding document.

Trump? I'd like to see his Wharton grades. He's actually right on some issues – illegal immigration and unfair trade – but expresses them so poorly he drives rational people screaming from the room.

I am voting for Sanders in the primary, I've said that and I will, to shake up the system and send a message.

My November vote leans Democratic, but, you know, I don't have to vote D or R – I can vote Green, or Natural Law, or another third party. I've done it before.

I am looking forward to the campaign with excitement – and fear.