Martin Schram

Washington’s Democratic and Republican leaders seem strangely lacking in fright as they are a mere three weeks away from plunging America off the much-feared Fiscal Cliff. And we’ve finally figured out why. They figure they are merely heading toward a Fiscal Bungee Jump.

The morning after the night of the first presidential debate, loyal Democrats awoke (if indeed they slept at all) to find in their inboxes an email with a subject line that had the too-familiar look of spam.

When you are campaigning against a famously rich guy from Massachusetts, especially a Hollywood-handsome type with a winning smile and a family name that’s part of the lore of big-time politics, here’s a one-two strategy that’s sure to make your opponent duck and weasel. And make the ordinary folks cheer.

At every campaign debate, the mere mention of "Obamacare" has caused Republican presidential hopefuls to morph into pro-wrestlers -- pounding the mat in feigned pain, wailing about its mandate that all Americans must have health insurance.

Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul -- and all the others who've been tossed from the ring -- grappled and clamored to be the first to denounce President Barack Obama's mandate as "liberal." Also "socialist."

The bloody slaughter of civilians in Syria was playing in cable-news snippets on television sets throughout the White House West Wing and State Department on Tuesday, as the man who expects to become China's new leader this year met with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden and was feted at a State Department luncheon.

Did you also notice the apparent error in your new 2012 calendar?

Mine claims January 1, 2012 was "New Year's Day." But after turning on the TV news, I'm thinking it must have been Labor Day. Because the down-and-dirty political attacks we've come to expect in a fall presidential campaign are already assaulting our ears.

It was two weeks before Christmas, and all through Romney’s house, All the creatures were stirring, even the wireless mouse.

Beat Obama" plans had been hung by the chimney, free of cares, The nomination, they were sure, soon would be theirs.

But on the 24/7 news there arose such a chatter, That Romney couldn't figure out what was the matter.

A portly rapscallion with a sack of Tiffany loot, Was spouting mischievous Untruths -- 'twas the Un-saint, Newt.

"Frontrunner" had once seemed Mitt's real first name.

But then he threw a Grand Old Party -- and nobody came.

Now he's struggling to answer a quiz he can't pass: How did The Gingrich Steal Mitt Romney's Christmas?'