This is such a fascinating time in politics. Lots of interesting stuff has been coming across my radar.

The NY Times says Caroline Kennedy's quest for Senatorhood was derailed by issues involving taxes and a household employee. Time reporter Karen Tumulty, on Swampland, quipped, "Good news: she can still be Treasury Secretary."

Abraham Lincoln was sworn in by Chief Justice Roger Traney, who championed the Dred Scott decision, which basically said blacks were inferior and unworthy of citizenship. Lincoln didn't like Traney.

Obama voted against confirming John Roberts as chief justice. Their hands were on the same Bible as Lincoln's and Traney's. (Twice?) Interesting.

The left wing features all kinds of nutso groups crying for government action for their causes, and hopeful that Obama will heed their cries. Like the organic food people, who wanted Obama to hire an organic food expert as White House Chef, who would grow the family's food in the White House garden and even publish the family menu as an example to the American people. But Obama decided to keep George Bush's chef. Wouldn't he have been a steak and potatoes kind of Texan? Nope. Turns out the current chef has been preparing organic food meals for years.

But all kinds of fringe interests will be yelping for attention in the years ahead. Republicans have their fringe groups, too, but mostly their attitude toward government is, "Leave us alone."

Last night, Sean Hannity interviewed Rush Limbaugh. I watched it while treadmilling at the Y. It just made me laugh. Two totally-partisan guys discussing why they shouldn't be criticized for criticizing Obama.

For a while, any criticism of Obama will be met by cries of racism. So while many reporters shamelessly fawn over Obama, others, who would be more of a mind to be objective and pointed, pull their punches because they don't want to get the Don Imus treatment.

But soon, Obama will be rightfully critiqued for his decisions. And in the process, we'll have a national discussion about why it's okay--and not racist--to criticize a black President. I predict we'll have that discussion soon. And I suspect Obama will be glad to have that discussion out of the way, and to be treated like anyone else in that office.

It's just an interesting time in American politics.