And if you thought the "Li-ar!"/"Nah uh!" back-and-forth over on the Democratic side was silly, check out the latest opinion making ripples in the Republican campaign.

Chuck Norris, apparently the political analyst of choice for right-wingers trapped in those halcyon days of the Invasion USA 1980s, caused a stir throughout press and blogosphere with his proclamation that "I really don't believe he'll have the stamina to run the country for four years."

"He" as in 72-year-old John McCain, prospectively the oldest man elected US president and, incidentally, ahead of Norris' choice Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee.

The comments came out during a $1,000-per-plate Huckabee fundraising barbecue Norris (less than two months shy of 68) held on his ranch. Boy pal Huckabee, 20 years' McCain's junior, backed off a bit from Chuck's acid tone and, according the New York Times, "attested to Mr. McCain's inner strength and strong genes. [Huckabee] added that he only knows himself, and he does have the energy to be president."

Of course, this should probably be considered some pretty serious trash talk about a guy who was actually a real-life P.O.W. for 5-1/2 years from a Hollywood product who might have sweated a bit while filming an infomercial. (Actually, probably this one.)

No official response from the McCain campaign yet, but MPR recommends he seeks out the governor of California's endorsement. Understand he knows a few things about red, white and blue action flicks...