In the US the Republican and Democratic political candidates have to be given roughly the same space and coverage. We now find ourselves in a situation where well-informed, serious newscasters have to give the Republicans some coverage. No matter they don't deserve it, no matter how dishonest they (and their supporters) are, they get news coverage.

It's a shame, really. To act is if they are responsible representatives of a political view with the interest of the country at heart has got to be the best acting job any of them have ever done.

The debates - what a farce. And yet Romney and Ryan will be standing there, answering questions as if their answers meant something, as if they were the equal of Obama and Biden, getting equal time for nonsense.

Who would have thought the Tea Party could take a proud political tradition and turn it into such childish comedy, to turn the "loyal opposition" into simply opposition.

And yet they take up space.