the AP pulls out their crystal balls--

If Elected ... How Would a President Obama Govern?

"For all Barack Obama's talk about change, there are signs that in style -- if not substance -- a new White House under Democrat Obama would operate much like the current one under President Bush. ..."

If Elected ... How Would a President McCain Govern?

"A rabble-rouser from his earliest days, John McCain has never been one who likes to be told ''no.'' There's no reason to think a President McCain would be any different. ..."

Ha! This makes the story about clearing out the White House and sending Bush out to play with the dog whenever he shows up so much more interesting:

Putin ahead of G8 hits backs at West on democracy

By Oliver Bullough

MOSCOW, July 12 (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin, seeking to pre-empt rebukes over democracy from fellow members of the Group of Eight, said on Wednesday the West’s criticism of Russia was a mix of Cold War thinking and neo-colonialism.

In interviews with French, Canadian and U.S. TV channels — transcripts of which were published on his Web site on Wednesday — Putin denied allegations Russia was back-tracking on democracy, and said it would develop at its own pace.

And in what looked like a sign of the bitterness he feels about criticism of his rule — most recently from U.S. President Dick Cheney — he joked about a hunting accident when Cheney accidentally shot his lawyer and gave him a heart attack.