Quick politics link
Over in Electrolite's comments, Greg London explains why elections are like a game of Thing [*], making a point I've tried once or twice to express myself, only doing it much much better.
[*] How to play Thing is explained here at Making Light (also look for Teresa Nielsen Hayden's comments further down that thread, at October 11, 2004, 11:27 AM).
(Oh, and the people he was playing Thing and Mafia with, in the example he was giving? Are really smart. Just to clarify.)