As someone who is, with a few limited exceptions, notably the appalling prospect of the Olympics arriving in New York City, almost entirely indifferent to sport, the question as to which candidate likes which way of wasting time on mountain bike, gridiron or so on leaves me cold.

This piece of, um, analysis from today’s Financial Times is too good, however, not to pass on:

“[Kerry’s] worst athletic indulgence may be kite surfing, an extreme form of windsurfing and parasailing invented by the French, whose basic equipment can exceed $1,500.”

Invented by the French? Ah ha.

The FT goes on to note this:

“Mr. Kerry tried to cover this over when asked about his expensive recreational habits. “The guys who do it are all local guys – plumbers, construction workers,” he said, convincing no-one.”

Patronizing? Lui?