The Morning Line: The Funnies Feed Our Campaign Fix

It's not a phrase that's crossed our lips before, but we find ourselves chanting it today:
Thank goodness for Al Franken.

Yes, without the satirist-turned-politician -- and the recount in his race against Minnesota's Sen. Norm Coleman -- we would have suffered the full effects of going cold turkey on campaign politics. It was such a season of compelling twists and narratives, we would get the sociopolitical bends if we tried to resurface too quickly. So Al -- and Norm -- are chicken soup for the slightly panicked electoral soul.

But we, gratefully, are not alone. A few cartooning souls know our pain. We thank you, Garry and Wiley, Scott and Darby, even as some of you mock us. We take comfort in knowing it's because you understand our plight. To wit:

1. YOUR 15 MINUTES OF "FAME" ARE UP.

Today's "Non Sequitur" plays off the fact that late in the election, the fickle wheel gets the grease -- and a disproportionate share of the media's tele-gaze. Come that 16th minute, though, the camera trucks have a Missing-Blond-Woman or Rehabbed-Pop-Star-Meltdown story to scurry off to. We now return you to your regularly scheduled anonymity.

2. THE FORECAST: A HIGH CHANCE OF ANTICIPATION.

We only wish Trudeau had turned the computer screen more toward us -- so we could see which cool political sites she has bookmarked. If you're going to exploit our plight, Garry, then please -- also feed our fix!

3. AGENT OF CHANGE

Suddenly, thanks to Stantis, it's all become very clear. Our post-campaign mantra should be: "Get real-tor!" Though we're left with one nagging question: "Would you buy a condo from THIS critter?"

4. IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SECEDE...

The Todd Palin topicality regarding secessionism, we get. What we don't get: Where the #$%& is Buckyvania and -- more important -- what is its major export? We shudder to think.

Meantime, we have Minnesota to warm our addicted little hearts.