I have to admit to being rather enthralled by the US election process.

A combination of factors grab me. This year, two colourful Democratic candidates and an extremely tight race have enlivened the primary process in a way not seen since I've been watching. Team this with factors like live campaign results and speeches - and a pundit process bordering on the obsessive - and it's an American Idol level event in terms of build up, hype and potential twists and turns.

The only thing is, even American Idol could never be this long, The other day as I examined the possible outcomes of the current dead heat between Obama and Clinton, I realised that the play-book had already determined a sobering fact. That this could go on until June. And it was only February.

Now even for somebody who can watch five days of cricket and not be guaranteed a result, this seems insane. Were they counting all the votes by hand, I wondered?

And this was just the primaries. Sheesh.

I could only wonder at the nerves of steel needed to marry a presidential candidate. When your partner leans over and says the immortal Springsteen line,

"Tramp like us, baby we were born to run," you'd have to wonder. At least Clinton could turn around and say, "Well, it's my turn this time. You did the presidency last time."

I do wonder though, if the election process was so long-winded, would it wind up with such inane mud-slinging like is does? And might more time to govern actually end up with better government.

All I can say is, I'll have a long time to think on those questions in the months ahead.