At this point in the Presidential race (Twelve months out. Give me a break!), the contest is basically equivalent to a ranking of high school crushes. Having little information to go on, we like or dislike candidates based on how they look, sound, and feel to us. I think that's a big part of why Barak Obama is doing so well.
I listened to an interview with Obama the other day, and he just made me feel good. His voice is deep and comforting. He thinks carefully before speaking. When he laughs, it's friendly and quiet. There's none of the shrillness, nervousness, or explosive heh-heh-heh giggling I associate with our President — and, incidentally, with that other Junior Senator, the one from NY.
At this point, I'm considering whose face I'd like to see for four years, and whose voice I'd like to hear. McCain reminds me too much of Cheney, and makes me nervous that he'll croak at any minute. Clinton reminds me too much of Bush, and grates on my nerves. Giuliani, well he's just plain creepy. And Romney is as plastic as a Ken doll. Obama, on the other hand, makes me feel fuzzy in my tummy. I'm crushing on him, and want to be part of an Obama-nation.
Now, I need to get to know the candidates, and see what I really think of them. That's the difficult but grown-up thing to do with crushes.