and in that way, i think that that speech is more damaging than the appearance by donald trump. i agree with you. let me wrap up if i might. courtesy of nbc s first read, a reminder of how early we really have in the 2016 race. at this point in the 08 cycle, august of 2005, this was the state of play. on the republican side, senator george allen was considered at least the cofront-runner for the nomination. here he is on the cover of national review with the headline his future is now and the first string presidential talent out of virginia. a year later he lost his bid for re-election. hillary clinton was seen as the overwhelming favorite on the democratic side. as for eventual winner barack obama, he had been a senator for only seven months and wasn t viewed as a presidential contender. there you go. thank you, susan page. thank you, michael crowley. up next, the verdict in the racketeering and murder trial of widety bulger.