All the huffing and puffing among the contenders for the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations may sound like serious business. But let's just pause for a moment and remember that once the nominations have been decided, all that internecine fighting will vanish like a dream when you wake up.

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama may sound as though they are on opposite sides now - at least sometimes - but come summer and fall one will have enthusiastically endorsed the other, and both will try to forget the unkind things that were said during the primaries. They might even be on the same ticket.

The same may not happen to the same extent on the Republican side. The partisans for one or two of the candidates - Huckabee comes to mind, and maybe McCain - may just sulk and sit out the election if their man does not become the nominee.

Conservatives now may find some entertainment value in the way the Democrats are carving each other up. They had better enjoy it while it lasts. Because it won't last. (hh)