How the 2008 Election Year Is Going to End Up Like F1 2007

As I eagerly await the South Carolina Democratic primary returns this afternoon, I come to the realization of the chilling similarities between America's elections this year and the 2007 Formula One season. Allow me to explain.

1. Obama as Hamilton. The most obvious similarity is superficial: they are both biracial, but seen in the eyes of others as blacks. But there's more. They are both relatively young upstarts in their respective fields. Critics and admirers alike spoke of their potential to be great-- years from now. But instead, they've captured everyone's imagination by being great now. Their meteoric rises cannot be more similar. But alas, Hamilton went into the last GP in Brazil with a razor thin lead and lost it all.

Straight out of Obama's wardrobe.

2. Hillary as Alonso. Both Hillary and Alonso went into their respective seasons believing that they should be the ultimate winner because they've worked hard, paid their dues, and have the talent. They did not expect their younger teammates (fellow Dem Obama and McLaren teammate Hamilton) to take over the spotlight and outperform them. As the season progressed, Hillary and Alonso were portrayed negatively as having a sense of entitlement. Just as the feud between Alonso and Hamilton cost both men's chances of winning the driver's championship, all the mud slinging between Hillary and Obama will cause the underdog, a Republican/Ferrari driver, to win it all.

I deserve to win. Wah!

3. McCain as Kimi. For years, both men have had a reputation of being honest, talented mavericks. But their prior attempts at winning the championship/presidency ended in abject failure. To better their chances, the two sold their souls. McCain hugged Bush and kissed the asses of right-wing religious zealots. Kimi joined Ferrari (which is arguably more shameful). While Alonso and Hamilton (Hillary and Obama) had their hissy fits with each other throughout the season, they ignored the damage they were doing to each other and the team and allowed Kimi to eke by with the championship. That McCain could pull off an equally spectacular upset is very probable.

At the 2009 Inauguration. Note the Republican red racing suit.

But then again, before the 2007 season started, I predicted that Honda were going to take the constructor's title. So there you go.

CKY