Political junkies all over America were whipping themselves into a frenzy this week about the start of presidential primary season, and The Cocklebur bloggers busily graded candidates in their inimitable ways.

“We need CHANGE!” said Petunia, who kicked off the debate. “I am not sure, in these troubled times, if the Democrats could have done a better job but I believe we need to give them a chance.”

“I’ll give you my anti-endorsement … Mitt Romney,” replied Lee Cole. “Too slick … He has flip-flopped John Kerry style on many important domestic issues such as gay marriage, abortion, immigration reform, and the 2nd Amendment.”

SSHM saw weak slates of candidates on both sides.

“It’s almost like a super-candidate needs to emerge - a person with the planks of several of the current candidates, who is articulate and passionate about this county, what they believe in, and what course of action it will take to get there. Let me add: Foreign Policy wizard – an absolute must.”

Shrimp was disappointed: “I will never for the life of me understand why one chooses NOT to participate in the free election process of this great nation!!”

Art Kaldas thought Mike Huckabee “clearly the best.”

“The more I learn about him, the more I respect him.”

That touched off a lot of discussion.

“Liberal Hillary will beat him like a drum!” Republikin shot back. “Is Ted Nugent running?”

Anderson Native agreed. “Huckabee might work in Ark but not nationally. His blunder last week in talking about the situation in Pakistan should do him in. You’d think he’d have a basic understanding of what was happening before opening his mouth.”

Noeline agreed. “Huckabee however has proven he is a religious bigot ... My New Year’s resolution is to get everyone to vote for Ron Paul, if you guys are really serious about change than this is the way to go.”

Palmetto Native offered two words: “John McCain.”

But Kilkenny characterized him as “a loose cannon with a temper.”

“Thompson really doesn’t want the job,” he added. “Huckabee (tax hike Mike as he is often known) … doesn’t have the horsepower to pull it off… Rudy to me is the slick one. … I like Romney … an intelligent businessman at the helm especially with the dollar declining and industry moving out of the country.”

John B worried the Democratic were “blowing it,” blaming timing.

“Even though I personally don’t have a problem with a woman or an Afro-American being the president I don’t think either one can be elected now. We might be ready for a woman but not this woman. This may be the right Afro-American but not at this time (still 20+ years away).”