I could have told you that, Bob.

A friend of mine, talking about the Democratic presidential candidates, tossed out a wonderful mixed metaphor: “This is awfully weak tea to have to hang your hat on.”

The notion that Bush & Co. had fouled things up so badly for Republicans that just about any Democrat could romp to victory in 2008 was never realistic. WhatÂ’s interesting now, with the first contests just weeks away, is the extent to which Democratic voters are worried about the possibility that none of their candidates have the stuff to take the White House.

This election, the most important in decades, cries out for strong leadership. The electorate is upset, anxious and hungry for change. But “weak tea” is as good a term as any to describe what the Democrats are offering.

So what's the problem?

The problem for voters is that very little leadership has emerged from the many months of frenetic Democratic fund-raising and politicking.

For all the noise and incessant posturing, we still donÂ’t have a clear sense of where Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama or any of the others would take the country.

That is because none of them has a vision beyond arguing that they are not George W. Bush. They are intent upon running against an incumbent who cannot stand for reelection.

Herbert, of course, offers a vision -- the same warmed over liberal cliches about health care, surrender in Iraq, and taking on the alleged racism of those who want American borders secure and immigration laws enforced.

Unfortunately, Herbert overlooks the problem facing the Democrats -- there are no inspiring candidates in the race, once one scratches the surface.

Hillary? She thinks marrying power constitutes competence.

Obama? All image, no substance.

Edwards? Run left, but without sincerity.

The rest of the pack? Oh, puh-leeeeeeez!

Frighteningly, the only hope for substance the Democrats could have had was Al Gore doing a Richard Nixon and rising from the political grave.

What am I saying? Don't be surprised when the returns come in and the next president is a Republican.

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