LH, you may have a point. On the other hand, I think HC is savvy enough to see through that -- she may still choose to run under those circumstances, but I would doubt she'd be fooled.

Tweed, if your prediction comes true, I may have a lot easier time convincing Californians that we need to and can manage to secede. At the moment though, the benefits outweigh the damages.

I do, however, object the phrase "real candidate" when used in reference to only Dems and Repubs. :)