I think I have already mentioned that I take an interest in American politics as a kind of proxy for the Australian variety. I suppose that I don't like to be disappointed, having had my adolescent ideals shot down by the realities of the political process. Democracy is messy and is, often as not, about limited, incremental reform, restructure and doing deals. Ideological politicians who are not pragmatists will probably not last the distance or may be limited to throwing incendiary bombs now and then.

The New Hampshire primaries threw up two of the most unlikeliest winners in recent political history. Even though both Sanders and Trump were well ahead in their respective party polls, there isn't really any meaningful historical comparison to explain why things are so out of whack. They are both outsiders. One talks a kind of extreme gibberish and the other has policies that cannot be implemented in the real Washington world.

Back in Oz, we have swung into a season of moderate politics and moderate talk about politics. The art of the compromise is very much in play, with governments working out what they can reasonably get under the circumstances. If you throw away your passion and idealism, that is pretty much as good as it gets.

New Hampshire looks a little a slice of pizza. Last Tuesday baked a pie that the political class could not stomach, though they have little choice in the matter, for now.