HALPERIN'S TAKE: Who Would Have Thought?

1. McCain would successfully use an attack on the heart of his old base -- the New York Times -- to help himself with his new base -- conservatives.

2. Hillary Clinton would be badly outraised in her fight for the nomination.

3. The Republican veepstakes would be in its second cycle before the Democrats had a de facto nominee.

4. Mike Huckabee would prove to be such an interesting and serious diversion.

5. The Bill Clinton asset/liability balance sheet would weigh more heavily on the minus side rather than the plus.

6. The Clinton team would fall prey to infighting, disorganization, and nakedly visible chaos.

7. "Morning Joe" and "American Morning" would become such entertaining and essential viewing.

8. Iraq would cease to be the central issue of the 2008 race.

9. Ari Emanuel would play a bigger role in determining the Democratic nominee than his brother Rahm has.

10. Some analysts would be silly enough to suggest Matt Drudge's influence over presidential campaign coverage has been diminished.