Vote Bull Moose in '08?

The next president of the United States will be Teddy Roosevelt - or at least one of his proteges.

Today's Nevada Appeal notices the constant references to T.R. bubbling up from the campaign's rhetorical froth:

HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON

May 29, economic policy speech in New Hampshire: "Throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s, the progressives busted trusts and fought for safe working conditions and fair wages. They created the national park system, and replaced a government rife with cronyism with a merit-based civil service. They understood, as the great progressive President Teddy Roosevelt once said, that 'the welfare of each of us is dependent fundamentally upon the welfare of all of us.'"

MITT ROMNEY

Aug. 5, presidential debate in Iowa, asked about efforts to spread democracy abroad: "We help draw these folks toward modernity, as opposed to having them turn toward the violence and the extreme. ... And that kind of a campaign of values, combined with our strong arms, speaking softly but carrying a strong stick, as Teddy Roosevelt said, that will help move the world to a safer place."

The Democrats remember Roosevelt for his trust-busting; the Republicans remember him for his big stick.

To remember Roosevelt in full, our friends should read Edmund Morris' Theodore Rex - I highly recommend it.