While I would never argue against the corrupting influence of money on politics (and wanted McCain to run as an Ind., just so somebody might whine about it), that's nothing new. Rich people have bought power since money was invented; now we just have lots of narrowly defined special interests doing it. Which brings us to Zakaria's point about the changes in Calif. in the last 20 years: that if you can demand popularity contests be held on ideas, values or even individual leaders (whether duly elected like Davis or, God forbid, appointed ones like Greenspan or Supreme Court justices), then you're suffering from way, way too *much* democracy and not nearly enough leadership.