The Play's The Thing

Shakespeare 102

After being inundated with emails and calls we agreed that in the interest of fairness and equal time, the Republican primary in Michigan must also be set to the tongue-in-cheek twists of the Bard. The scene in Hamlet Act V opens with Senator Romney perusing the media's placement of him as running in the second spot in Michigan. "Out, out damn spot." (I need to run in first place).

Senator McCain prepares for the battle. He is brave - a tested warrior. He speaks to his entourage, telling them that the brave will prevail in the election. As Julius Caesar he says, "Cowards die many times before their deaths. The valiant never taste death but once."

Fred Thompson takes center stage. He is comfortable. It is as though he has had acting experience. He begins in his role as Marcus Antonius, "Friends, Romans, countrymen. Lend me your ears..."

When asked abut his populist philosophy and how it differs from the rest of the Republican candidates, Governor Huckabee responds, "The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven."

Finally Ron Paul takes center stage. His has been a most interesting campaign. Without the money of Senator Romney, John McCain, or other more prominent party members he has run his campaign on a shoestring. Many have called his philosophy madness but Mr. Paul, as Polonius, responds, "Though this be madness, yet there is method in it."

Rudy Giuliani recognizes the strength in the following that Ron Paul has built. Others might scoff at him but Rudy, as Caesar cautions, "Yon, he has a lean and hungry look; such men are dangerous."

The scene returns to Twelfth Night, Act II when Mitt Romney, still making his case to be nominated speaks as Malvolio: "Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them."

Rudy, while reviewing the results from the other party's primary realizes that Hillary is running strong. He fears that she might, as she has shone in New York be too a formidable foe. He phones her and quotes Hamlet as he suggests, "Get thee to a nunnery."

Rudy then turns to Ron Paul and asks why he has not made an effort to raise more funds and conduct a campaign with advertising like most candidates. Mr. Paul responds as Polonius, "Neither a borrower nor a lender be." Mr. Paul as Iago adds, "Who steals my purse steals trash."

As the sun sets on the Michigan primary we do not know how the candidates ranked. But we have chosen to end our play, as Rosiland says in "As You Like It,"One can desire too much of a good thing."

The candidates have, as was done in Hamlet, "Tripped over their own tongues." Some might believe as Duke Senior in As You Like It, said, "True, we have seen better days," but I believe the best is yet to come.

A little blogging music Maestro... Queen's "Another One Bites The Dust."

Dr. Forgot