As this is the Chinese Year of the Rat, it is also becoming the American Year of the Superdelegate.
Come fall, some Democrats might look back and conclude it's no coincidence.
Party movers and shakers who make up the superdelegates are increasingly important as the contest between presidential nominees Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama continues its neck-and-neck pace.
There is a definite possibility that come convention time Aug. 25-28, the victory will go to the candidate getting the most superdelegate support, not the candidate with the most votes cast in the state caucuses and primaries.
For Democrats who endured the 2000 election in which a Supreme Court decision ended that neck-and-neck race, the idea of their own party's rules allowing party "Supremes" to rule is more than some might stand.
The Democrats' 2008 race is generating participation and excitement unlike any in decades and, coming at a time when many continue to rue U.S. involvement in Iraq and administration manipulations, some are warning that a superdelegate reversal of the popular vote could result in the emergence of a serious third-party contender.
"That's always a fear," Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, told reporters Thursday.
Himself a superdelegate, Harkin continues to refuse to say who he will support in the Clinton-Obama race. When the time comes, he will decide "on the basis of who can win and be the best president," the senator said.
As for Democratic rank-and-file protesting a superdelegate takeover, "That's certainly a concern," Harkin said.
Once this election is history, Harkin said the role of superdelegate should be done away with.
"It's just not fair," he said. It gives a select group the power to impact the process at the end of the process, he said, "and it shouldn't be done that way."
As long as the party rules call for superdelegates, Harkin said he will abide by the rules and vote according to his own counsel. That's a different outlook from the one expressed by Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wis., who on Wednesday announced he would cast his superdelegate vote for whomever the majority of 3rd District Democrats support.
Kind also said he would be asking National Democratic Chairman Howard Dean to appoint a task force to consider changing the nomination process in four ways.
First, end the use of superdelegates; second, address states leap-frogging each other to see who goes first by rotating regional primaries; third, encourage open primaries that are carried out by state election boards, rather than political parties; and fourth, start the process later, after the holidays.
Harkin said he will staunchly oppose seating delegates chosen in the Michigan and Florida primaries for the same reason he will uphold the superdelegates' independent vote: It's the rules.
Michigan and Florida Democrats broke the rules when they moved their primaries ahead of Feb. 5 without permission, Harkin said.
"No way I'd ever be in favor of seating them," the senator said.
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A half-century ago, the two professions routinely open to young women were teaching and nursing.
It would appear that the more things change, etc., because in looking at U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in State Legislatures magazine those are jobs with the second- and third-most growth potential in the next six years.
First in potential growth? Retail salespeople.
The real difference, of course, is the wage scale. The sales clerk averages $14.42 per hour, while registered nurses average $29.10, and postsecondary teachers, $44.76.
"Of the more than 8.8 million jobs represented by the top 30 growth positions, 68 percent pay less than the $19.92 average wage," the article said. "Many pay significantly less."
"Of the top 10 occupations with the most openings between 2004 and 2014, only two require a degree: registered nurses and postsecondary teachers. The most common educational program for registered nurses is an associate's degree. Professors usually have a doctorate."
The rest of the top 10 growth professions are: customer service representatives ($15.36 average wage); janitors and cleaners ($11.67); waiters and waitresses ($4.67); combination food preparation and serving workers, including fast food ($8.47); home health aides ($9.95); nursing aides, orderlies and attendants ($11.21); and general and operations managers ($43.52). Elementary school teachers are 12th, with an average salary of $34.69.
Bragg has been covering politics for the TH since 1996. Her e-mail address is mbragg@wcinet.com.
