IT’S manna from heaven for the Democrats. The testimony to the 9/11 commission given by former White House counter-terrorism official, Richard Clarke, is a gilt-edged opportunity to damage George W Bush.

NO doubt the George W Bush re-election campaign has already checked out John Kerry’s middle initial. The F, they’ll have discovered, stands for Franklin. It’s not a deed-poll trick by the Democrat challenger to make himself the next JFK.

NORMALLY, it’s the other way around. You see the words ‘archbishop’, ‘hurt’ and ‘remark’ and you can join the dots. Archbishop Connell must have spoken his mind again. Perhaps he’s made a comment on inter-communion or marriage, or some other touchy subject. The Irish Times is offended. Liberal theologians are lamenting. Outraged callers are ringing Liveline.

TIME will tell whether the feelgood factor in Fianna Fáil ranks translates into a good performance in June’s local and European elections.

THE Passion of Mel Gibson is almost over. Today is Ash Wednesday and his controversial film, The Passion of the Christ opens in cinemas across America. Irish cinemas will show it in early March.

ARE people with disabilities being manipulated in the embryo research debate?

IF Packie Bonner runs for Fianna Fáil in the European Elections, as is rumoured, it will be the political stroke of the year. And further proof that ‘location, location and location’ is as important in politics as it is in property.

IMAGINE the scene. President Bush is doing a dry run before his State of the Union address. Just as he is running through some problem words and phrases, the door opens. It’s Karl Rove, his key political advisor.

THE draft constitution of the European Union, temporarily sidelined and awaiting a Bertie-stroke to resurrect it, proposes ‘unity in diversity’ as the motto of the new 25-member EU.

YOU may think I’ve got my dates mixed up, but in the current media clamour to get a new angle on Christmas I have been thinking about Mel Gibson’s forthcoming film, The Passion, which focuses on the end of Jesus Christ’s life on earth, not his birth.