Turning Phrases: The Impotent Ferocity is almost over.

I love wordplay.  When I am skimming articles and my eyes fall upon a pair of words that combine to create that sense of poetry that enlarges, I bless this distinctly human condition all over again.

This morning I found Joe Klein turning the phrase "Impotent Ferocity" to describe The Campaign That Is Almost Over.

So, I surfed around and made a list of twelve phrases from the recent news that are both tangy and zesty - simultaneously poetic and informative.

And, if you meet me after the break, I made a trading card for my favorite potential Vice President!

1. "Impotent Ferocity".  Joe Klein started this phrase-turning fiesta, and I will give you three guesses for who he was talking about.  Obvious much?  It's impotent, it's ferocious, it's Terry McAullife!

2. "Frantically Hushing".  Jay Newton-Small points out one of the sweetest moments of the RBC meeting, giving us hope for the future adult behavior of a certain group of supporters.  As a high school teacher, I have been in similar situations.  Those loudmouths were going to sling gutter slime loud and long, no matter what.  An oxymoronic phrase bubbled up in response.

3. "Radical Notion". Gary Hart himself reminds us of the major decision we have just made as a party, and a country.  We are embracing risky dreams rather than secure fears.  Word.

4. "Manufactured Controversy". Mark Kleiman gets the same sense that I do.  This election WILL NOT be decided by the traditional media's addiction to constant trivial distraction.  It will be decided by boots on the ground.

5. "Ungodly Gorgeousness". Kimberly Brooks provides some sweetness and light with 10 things that turn her on in a pop culture frame.  We dig costume dramas too.

6. "Carbon-based Lifeform". Jason Linkins immortalizes Donna Brazile even further, which we adore.  Then he puts George Stephaluppigus in his place properly.  At least we now know he is not an alien.

7. "Crucial Moments". Lanny Davis the lying lizard?  On my list?  Yep.  All his crucial moments are belong to us.  And I can answer his question.  Why take 4 delegates, rather than compromise completely for more unity?  Simple.  To prove that this is Barack Obama's party.  To score the touchdown that puts the game out of reach.  To force the other side to realize that we have the votes, both inside and outside the most inner circles, and we are going to win in November.

8. "Welcome Chaos". Dave Winer gets the best title award: "We’re Angry, Uneducated and Unhealthy – Now What?" He sees clearly: Barack Obama is not afraid to face the actual situation that our country has fallen into.  That's the only way to fix it.

9. "Demonization Checklist". Al Giordano correctly observes the fact that Sean Hannity has no power here.  It doesn't get any better than that.

10. "Macabre Investment". Mark Hosenball looks at the ugly truth hanging just behind John McCain's shoulder.  You know this is only the tip of the evil iceberg that will be uncovered in the coming months.  Shudder.

11. "He Stewed". Rebecca Sinderbrand documents that fantastic moment when Howard Dean told the story of dropping his ego.  The parallels were stunning.

12. "Future Payback". Lauren Weiner talks about picking a running mate.  Which brings me to my favorite moment of the weekend for a big send-off.

Tim Russert was twinkling his eyes and looking forward to the deliciously difficult decision ahead.  How does Barack Obama go about choosing a running mate?  Treat potential Vice Presidents like trading cards, of course:

You almost need to start all over every day. You take all the cards and spread them out in front of you, contemplating possible combinations.

Thank you, Tim Russert, for the metaphor I had been waiting for.  In the coming days I will be creating a series of Running Mate Trading Cards for us Kogs to groove on.  Starting with our hero from the RBC meeting.  You can find out more about him here, and we can talk about the reasons I chose this particular card to paste him into.  Enjoy.