As the field of Republican candidates narrows, students at Washington University are struggling to choose their favorites as the race plays out among the four remaining candidates: Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul. Freshman Kaitlin McTague used to support Michelle Bachmann but is now leaning toward Romney.

While we wait and see if the Obama presidency was worth all the trouble, we can distract ourselves with the sheer strangeness that pervades the current political moment, perhaps best typified by the spate of right-wing demonstrations that are such a source of consternation for all those not involved in them, Republicans included.

The Republican primary race for Missouri state auditor between two Washington University faces, a professor and an MBA graduate, has heated up as one of them ramped up his campaign last week.

The Republicans shouldn’t have a chance in this fall’s election.