I missed the Democratic presidential debate yesterday — it was Strategy Game Night at the Hood abode, and one must have priorities — but reading the coverage later prompted this stray thought.

I’m glad that Dennis Kucinich, Mike Gravel, Tom Tancredo, and Ron Paul are in their respective candidate fields and debates if for no reason other than public education. If you spend any time at all with the activist core of the Democratic or Republican parties, you know lots of Kucinichs, Gravels, Tancredos, and Pauls. I’m not just talking ideas. I’m talking look and style. Partisans and political reporters, you know what I mean.

They’re also the most entertaining activists to hang with. The slicksters and control freaks are better at politics, but they lack authenticity and that certain “what-the-hell-did-he-just-say?” quality that keeps you sane.