Guess what, Kiddies? Only 14 months until the next general election! You may have noticed that certain states (including Illinois) are trying to be first out of the gate with their primary or caucus. All this jockeying for position means that the actual first primary will be held a week from Tuesday. (Kidding. I think.) 

Illinois' primary is now set for early February. Still don't know who to vote for? Here's a handy site that can help you sort it all out. You set how you feel about certain issues and how important those issues are to you in the scheme of things. The site ranks each major party candidate for you based on how close he or she is to your way of thinking. Bonus, you get to find out who is the LEAST like you politically as well. (Me, looking at the guy who got negative 46 points based on my answers: Who the heck is THAT guy and who do I have to pay off to make sure he NEVER holds a major political office? Yikes.)

Still too early to think about the next presidential election? Need a hobby to help you block out all the sure-to-be-sordid details? Take up rollerblading with a twist like this guy. You could surely learn Hail to the Chief by January 20, 2009.