I left a "doesn't" out of the second paragraph - should read "That's not intended to have any political significance, but then this sounds like an election that doesn't seem to be primarily about politics." Makes a bit more sense now.

I kind of thought Jesse Helms was that nutty wrestler that got elected up in Minnesota to embarrass Garrison Keiller.

But isn't being called Jesse a disadvantage to a candidate in America? Or is it like "A Boy Named Sue", and it just serves to toughen them up?