I expect Bryant to be the eventual GOP nominee. He appears to have more political smarts than Van Hilleary (getting beat by Lamar Alexander is slightly more impressive than getting beat by Phil Bredesen, in my book). He had enough sense to get behind Alexander after narrowly losing that primary, with the result that Alexander's base is happy with him.

He, also, is lacking in stature, from the perspective of leadership. His postions and voting record are nearly identical to Hilleary's. Dismal, as I noted yesterday about Van's.

Bryant is again lacking in signature issues. He distinguished himself in Congress, not by taking leadership on an important issue, or by driving bargains across the aisle, but by interviewing Monica Lewinsky.

Like Hilleary, his name is all over past efforts to ban flag-burning at a time when flag-burning is about to become another national wedge issue, another effort to elevate symbolism over substance in the race for patriotic fervor.

Like Hilleary, he has no position on important environmental issues.

But, he is smart. He is a comfortable bedfellow with the religious right, and he has a good chance to win.

Should I do my next segment on Ford or Corker?