Pre-vote debates are over. Countdown to presidential clarity/semi-historic confusion begins with the rapidly approaching Iowa caucus carnival, followed by a trio of contests as different as the last four NFL teams that vied for the 2016 Super Bowl.
We know the goal line: the White House. Thus the four quarters to be played: the Republican nomination, the Democratic nomination, any viable third party candidate and how “trumped-up” will things remain.
Not much else matters. By the time we slog, skip and stretch through New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada, the withering and the winnowing will have been largely completed and we will have clear contenders for March Super Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Like many Super Bowls, this year has some getting a second shot and some favorites unaware of upset potential.
