You have to admit, if you follow politics at all, this is a most different presidential primary season. I started voting in 1980 and this primary season fascinates me.

A black man leads for the Democratic nomination. A woman is arguably second. An Hispanic is fourth. A tort lawyer's third. No, we haven't had that before.

The Republican nomination is wide open and looks to be that way for weeks. Usually, in my memory, the GOP primary race is only 2, maybe 3, serious candidates and there's a clear-cut early favorite.

Here's another twist: The Obama-Edwards-Clinton race has been nastier than the GOP race. It also has been more "different." If this election truly is about change -- Americans could think twice about how much change they want by November -- it seems the Democrats have a better chance.

Here's a counterintuitive prediction: Hillary Clinton will grind out the Democratic nomination.

On the Republican side, no idea at this point.