Has there been too much coverage of the first caucus and primary? Decide for yourself.
For some reason, and if I were voting on a name, I'd have to call it information overload -- many of us can cite the spouses of the candidates, their children's names and even some of their first jobs in public office.
The most surprising thing to me is that I have gathered this unwanted information while multi-tasking. In truth, I am captivated by the election coverage and the stories of the various candidates, their stands, flip-flops, and, of course, changes, but not enough to tune in with all my attention. Also, there's an awful lot of the same B roll footage every day, every hour, every few minutes. I know the candidates are all quite skilled at going in and out of doorways and shaking hands.
I had never really paid much attention to the concept of osmosis until recently. Suddenly, it hit me. In 2008, the definition of osmosis is:
"Absorbing trivia about political candidates while being able to multi-task in distracting, fun, educational and simply addictive ways."
In the interest of full disclosure, I admit my multi-tasking includes online Maj Jong, solitaire, slot machines, iPod downloading, sharing photos of my new puppy, eBay purchasing, blogging, devouring tomorrow's newspapers, and Webkinz. (A friend's daughter gave me my first Webkinz, a pink poodle named Julie, and I'm hooked. I apologize to all of my friends who received them from me for Christmas presents. How many of you have your crowns?)
Try for yourself. How much do you know about the presidential candidates?
1) Which of the following are not the names of spouses of the remaining candidates?
Barbara
Bill
Carole
Cindy
Elizabeth
Janet
Jeri
Judith
Lady Bird
Michelle
2) Which of the following was not one of the candidates' first elected office?
City Council Member
High school class treasurer
Co-captain, safety patrol, 5th grade
Homecoming King
Mayor
Member of Congress
President of Harvard Law Review
School board member
Scout leader
Screen Actors Guild officer
State Senator
U.S. Senator
3) How much weight did Mike Huckabee lose?
90 pounds
100 pounds
110 pounds
120 pounds
205 pounds
215 pounds
4) Which celebrities have not supported one of the current candidates?
Adam Sandler
Al Franken
Barbra Streisand
Bette Midler
Brad Pitt
Bruce Springsteen
Carl Reiner
Charlie Sheen
Chris Rock
Chuck Norris
Dane Cook
Dixie Carter
Donald Trump
Fantasia
Faith Hill
Felicity Huffman
George Lopez
Greg Norman
Hugh Hefner
Hulk Hogan
Jay Leno
Jeff Gordon
Jennifer Aniston
Jesse Ventura
Jim Belushi
John Mellenkamp
John Travolta
Josh Groban
Kanye West
Kelsey Grammer
Martha Stewart
Martin Sheen
Matthew Perry
Melissa Gilbert
Nicolas Cage
Oprah Winfrey
Paris Hilton
Reba McEntire
Rob Reiner
Roger Clemens
Sean Penn
Steven Spielberg
The Dixie Chicks
Tom Cruise
Tom Hanks
Tom Selleck
Ty Pennington
Will.i.am
Will Smith
5) Which first names don't belong to a candidate's son or daughter?
Andrew
Andy
Barbara
Ben
Bridget
Caroline
Catherine
Chelsea
Craig
Daniel
David
Doug
Emma Clair
Freddie Dalton (Tony)
Hayden
Jack
Jackie
Jeffrey
Jenna
Jimmy
John Mark
Josh
Keith
Lindsay
Malia Ann
Matt
Meghan
Randy
Rush
Samuel
Sarah
Sasha
Sidney
Tagg
Whitney
Your answers will tell you if you're a good multi-tasker, too.