“One puke-free day, that’s all I ask,” I told my wife jokingly about 5 in the evening yesterday. That’s about the time this flu has brung my upper respiratory system to the edge and beyond of throwing up for the previous five days. I fought it all evening, then at 12:17 am, while laying in bed, my wife turned to me and said, “Congratulations, honey; you made it.” I haven’t puked since, although I’ve had the urge, even as I write this.

This flu sucks. Ask anyone who has had it, which is nearly everyone I know. Lenie was up last night between 1 and 3 am with a coughing jag, although she denies she has the flu, but “only a cold.” I’m hopefully getting over it. I’ve got a lot of work to do, especially promoting the upcoming special issue. I’ll play golf tomorrow. That will cure me.

Here’s my take on the Presidential race so far. It’s nonpartisan; I don’t like any of the frontrunners.

If Obama is the Democratic candidate, the Democrats will win big. Conservatives will stay home. They don’t like McCain, and eight years of their man, Bush, overspending has disheartened them.

If Hillary is the Democratic candidate, the Democrats will still win, but only by a little. Many conservatives will come out just to vote against her, but it won’t be enough. Bush has really succeeded in crushing their spirit, plus Libertarians, who have totally given up on the Republican Party, will vote for a third-party candidate.

Here’s the only combination of factors that could defeat the Democrats: Hillary is the candidate and

1) She has stolen the nomination from Obama through superdelegates, or by getting state delegates that have already been discounted by the DNC to be counted in her favor, or by any other means perceived underhanded by voters. Blacks and independents will feel cheated, and they will rebel against it by voting for McCain, who is not that far to the right of Hillary.

2) The New York Times and other major media outlets continue to attack McCain with political hit pieces. That will cause conservatives to rally around McCain in a big way because they hate the NY Times and left wing media far more than they are dissatisfied with McCain.

3) Hillary continues to turn off male voters. This is a dynamic that no one will talk much about, but it’s obvious most men don’t like her. Let’s call it the Bitch Factor, but Hillary has a smug look that reminds a lot of men of someone they’d rather forget.

4) The Dems talk about gun control too soon, as in before the election. This will set off alarms in the heads of one-issue voters who regard the Second Amendment as the most important amendment, and they will go to the polls to vote against gun control.

The Democrats can avoid a lot of headaches by just nominating Obama. They’ll win the Presidency and Congress in a landslide. Blame yourself, Republican Party. You forsook conservative and libertarian principles for too long, and now you will pay the price.

I am stunned! I had planned to spend the rest of Sunday evening after the Superbowl watching reruns of the plays, listening to all the victory interviews of the Patriots. I turned to my wife after the Patriots’ loss and said, “Now what are we going to do with the rest of our lives?”

I’m glad I have this upcoming Issue No. 111 to delve into. Losing is painful! Congratulations Giants! You played a terrific game, especially on defense. Brady hasn’t been pressured like that all year. I’ve always wanted Eli Manning to succeed, but I sure didn’t expect it would be at the expense of my team.

So much for predictions. I made no bets on the game, except with my heart. Silveira always calls me after these big games, but there’ll be no call tonight. He’ll busy himself in writing or in studying poker. Funny how men, especially, pour their soul into their team. It is total war without the bloodshed. Well, I’m the vanquished tonight, and it feels like a form of death. But luckily, I’ll live to fight another day.