Open Primary. For those of you who are not registered as either Democrats or Republicans ("unenrolled"), don't fret. In an open primary system, like that in Massachusetts, you can vote too. This means that the liberal-leaning among you could take a Republican ballot and vote for the candidate least likely to win.

PAC Money. The true engine of the electoral process, funds from political action committees (PAC) are the big bucks that pay for a modern media campaign. Individual contributions, however, are often more interesting. Data from the candidates' mandatory Federal Election Commission filings are on the web, and searchable at www.tray.com/fecinfo. (Try searching for zip code 02138.)

Quizzes. Should our president be able to name the leader of Pakistan? The pop quiz craze, prompted by a Boston political reporter's questions for George W. Bush about world leaders, seems to have passed. Apparently, it only served to remind voters how little they know about world news.

Register. In order to vote in the Massachusetts presidential primary on March 7th, you must have registered to vote by yesterday, February 16.

South Carolina. A very important primary. Also, land of Strom Thurmond and the Confederate flag. I'm taking wagers on which one will go first.

"Time." Boston for political fundraiser. Usage: "We met at Ted Kennedy's time."

Underwear. In 1992, an MTV viewer asked candidate Clinton the famous question, "boxers or briefs?" In 2000, we don't want to know.

Vice President. Unfortunately, this year's vice presidential contest is unlikely to provide a more classic campaign moment than the 1992 three-way vice presidential debate between Gore, Quayle and Stockdale. When Stockdale looked into the camera and asked, "Who am I? Why am I here?," a new era of political existentialism was launched. The political process is still recovering.