The similarities to the harshness of the Academy awards and our current search for our Republican nominee for the Presidency were obvious and eerie. They have a stage; we have a platform, albeit their stage is a little sturdier than our platform. In fact, our platform looks like it might have been constructed by a Saturday morning Home Depot kid’s project. One leg is a little longer than the others. One is smooth and round, while the other is a little square and the angles and corners look like they might have been cut with a survival knife rather than a "skill" saw. A third of it is painted bright red, the middle of it is a little paler, and the other third has a slightly bluish hue that can be seen when the light shines directly on it. An interesting combination, but not so much when it comes to a cohesive choice of colors.

Maybe it would be more suited to call our platform a stage; based on some of the performances that have been produced…a stage is the better descriptive. We have seen drama, great displays of emotion, and no one can argue that we haven’t seen our share of comedy. Actually, comedy to the point that it has brought literal tears to our eyes. We are on a bit of a shaky foundation, whatever we call the supporting structure.

But, what about those performances? We have gone through at least five or six leading men and even a leading lady along the way. Through a seemingly endless supply of misspoken and sometimes completely forgotten lines, we don't seem to be anywhere near a consensus as to who is Oscar worthy. I'm not even sure we can muster up the needed support for a People’s Choice Award, much less the much ballyhooed Oscar. The people, and as it pertains to this particular audience, the Republican people, can't decide on who the choice will be.

Some liked Herman in the role. And, then there was Rick from Texas, and Newt, and then another Rick from the New England Actors Guild who came in and filled the role as an understudy. Ron continues to serve in the character actor role where if nothing else, he is good for a few laugh lines and some rather bizarre Shakespearian like soliloquies that no one but Ron understands. He just seems to be better suited for a Saturday Night Live skit than an Oscar winning performance. The whole process is more like a traveling Vaudeville troupe than a one man (or woman) show. The playbill is constantly being changed or updated in what seems to be a daily ritual as to who will play the lead. But, there is one guy named Mitt who continues to be in every scene. Not necessarily in the lead, but he is always on stage.

Perhaps he has earned a shot at the starring role. He has done all of thaw preparatory work required for the lead. He has played the heartless villain and constant adversary, the rich spoiled brat, the "fake" conservative (who is apparently really a liberal), the religious heretic, and a pretty good interpretation of the compassionate patriot. All good performances, whether he liked or deserved the role cast or not. Maybe it is only right that he now assume the top billing as the party's nominee and leading man. None of the others seem to have his staying power and just don't seem to have the ingredients for the big award. He has the resume to play the lead. He has the desire to play the lead, but we just can't get used to the idea of him being the lead.

In the meantime, we just keep plugging away, applying a little more make up wondering if another actor will emerge from backstage to take over our "anyone but Mitt" chorus from the theatre. It's like he is the Lewis to Martin, the Gracie Allen to George Burns, the Cheech to Chong and the Penn to Teller. Okay, that one is a bit of a stretch, one half of Penn and Teller doesn't speak. Even old Mitt has no trouble with speaking and creating lines. Politicians never let facts get in their way of making some rather bold statements.

It will be interesting to see how this all works out. Will the winner from the last awards show win again or will it be a year in which a new winner is named? Let's hope for the later. The presiding winner does not appear to have any new and interesting roles that will bring us to our feet. They might however bring us to our knees if we continue on this path. It should be a shoe in, but maybe not.

We are however doing what we do best; repeats and reruns. Just not sure how good the ticket sales will be for McCain II, The Obama Ultimatum. Yawn. Who wants popcorn?

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The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. Stan L. Hall is the former (retired) director of the Victim Witness Program for the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office.