Stung by recent upheaval in the stock market? Here's a tip: Invest in salt futures. As American voters begin to tune into the presidential race, they'll need more than a grain of salt to properly digest the political press and punditry in a wide-open race.

Example: Barack Obama's chances at the presidency are (fill in the blank).

Strong and rising: Paul Bedard of Washington Whispers writes that many in the White House who were once convinced that Sen. Hillary Clinton would easily walk away with the Democratic nomination now see Obama's fortunes improving. One adviser who called Bill Clinton in 1992 says Obama has about an even shot at the nod.

Weak and shrinking: New York Daily News columnist Michael Goodwin writes that Obama is "probably starting to get that last call feeling. He has to know his presidential campaign is running out of time." Goodwin argues that Clinton is pulling away, and that as her poll lead grows, so does Obama's potential to make gaffes.

Judging from reviews of yesterday's debate, Bedard is more right than Goodwin. Most pundits agreed that Obama performed better in the Drake University event than he has in past debates, including Roger Simon, Chris Cillizza, Chuck Todd, David Yepsen and Mark Halperin (though this reporter didn't think yesterday was anything special).

And, by the way, Obama still has to bask in the glow of Hollywood as Oprah Winfrey offers up an event that will raise at least $2.3 million on September 8th.

But the mixed opinions offer a warning: Don't believe that any candidate is finished for good until they say so themselves, and don't start betting on a nominee until everyone else drops out.

Four months is a long time. Obama's -- and every other candidates' -- rise or fall will most likely happen in the last week before the Iowa caucuses, as it did for John Kerry in 2004. Candidates today are simply laying the groundwork to prepare for that final week.

In other news, rumors were flying last week that Mississippi Congressman Chip Pickering had announced he wouldn't run for re-election as a way to prod Senator Thad Cochran into stepping down, leaving Pickering a shot at the Senate. Not going to happen, said Cochran. "He's planning to run, right now he's making preparations and doing fundraisings," Cochran spokeswoman Margaret McPhillips told the Meridian Star.

Meanwhile, the same Star article offers a preview of the race for Pickering's seat. Possible candidates include State Sen. Charlie Ross, attorney Gregg Harper, Joe Nosef, campaign manager for Gov. Haley Barbour, Mississippi Technology Alliance Vice President Heath Hall and former USDA official Nick Walters.

The seat is so heavily Republican that the winner of the March 11th primary will be the overwhelming favorite in November.

Finally today, fresh off appearances on what seemed like three dozen Sunday shows yesterday, outgoing White House adviser Karl Rove sat down with the New York Times' Jim Rutenberg and criticized none other than Barney, the president's dog, "who is seen by some as aloof and entitled." "Barney's a lump," Rove said.

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