"You've got to be careful if you don't know where you are going, because you might not get there."

   The title of this post comes from Yogi Berra, New York Yankee legend and Hall of Fame catcher.

   Rick Ridder and Walter Shapiro posted a great piece on Salon.com last year at this time. In it, they used quotes from Berra, long recognized as the Accidental Philosopher of the game. 

   I have taken a stab at updating the following Yogi-isms in an attempt to explain the Accidental Philospher's continuing accidental wisdom and its usefulness in trying to make sense of today's campaign politics:

    

"I wish I had an answer to that, because I'm tired of answering that question."

*Barack Obama, trying to explain his affiliation with Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

"Slump? I ain't in a slump ... I just ain't hitting."

*Bill Clinton, trying to explain his ineffective campaigning. 

"When you come to a fork in the road, take it."

*John McCain, trying to explain his Iraq War policy. Democrats are forked, too.

"Third base ain't so bad if nothing is hit to you."

*Hillary Clinton, trying to explain her role as First Lady.

"Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded."

*Many prominent Hillary supporters, when considering their place at an Obama Table when he becomes their party's nominee.

"We don't throw at .200 hitters."

*Why nobody is talking about Ralph Nader this time.

"He's a big clog in their machine."

*William Ayers for Democrats; the legacy of George W. Bush for John "Straight Talk" McCain.

"I really didn't say everything I said."

*Hillary Clinton, trying to explain Bosnian air travel. 

"You can't think and hit at the same time."

*Bill Clinton, trying to explain his use of the race card.

"A nickel ain't worth a dime anymore."

*George W. Bush, trying to explain his stewardship of the U.S. economy.

"It gets late early out there."

*Hillary Clinton, trying to beg superdelegates to stay on her Nomination Titanic.  

"We're lost. But we are making good time."

*Everybody, trying to explain anything.