Drafts don’t happen every year in politics. This isn’t the NBA (which, incidentally, is underway! I may have to take a break until, say, June…). But when there’s an opportunity to draft key players, you have to make sure you’re making the right choice for your specific team.

This season, with the breakup of the Republican party, there is a real opportunity for Democrats to draft a political demographic or two. Who should we pick? Let’s break it down:

Moderates: This is the most obvious choice, but the Democrats might not even have to draft them. These are the swing voters, the Reagan Democrats, the Clinton Republicans. In 2006 and 2008 it’s very likely that they’ll be waived by the Republicans anyway, so we can pick ‘em up on the cheap. Their game is solid but unflashy, exactly the kind of people you need to make the playoffs.

Values Voters: When the league expanded earlier this year, the “Religious Right” team fragmented into two new teams, the “Griping Goddies” and the “Values Voters.” Goddies are going to stay in the Republican League, no doubt. But religious folks who lean towards the traditional values of peace, personal integrity, and protecting the environment… the people who talk about needles and camels more often than fire and brimstone… they’re eminently draftable, and they’ll really help shore up our defense.

Neocons: Forget ‘em. They have a long list of demands, and they would be locker-room poison even if we did manage to draft ‘em. Plus, the Republicans have a lot less capital to spend this year - leaving the neocons to them will put the GOP over its shrunken salary cap. Besides, they’re a coaching staff without an actual team, voter-wise, whatever they might think.

Nixonians: These pragmatic old-school, business-oriented Republicans could easily be drafted, unless the GOP decides to hire Coach McCain. Otherwise - they’re on a team dominated by Goddies and Neocons, who have trouble enough sharing the ball with each other, let alone a third scorer. Look for the Nixes to be an early-round pick, and if they can get along with their old foes on the Democratic Team, these crafty veterans will really deliver when it counts.

Real Reaganites: Their trickle-down style of play doesn’t really fit with our team’s game, but they’re pretty disgruntled with their current situation. I’d advise against drafting them, but a midseason trade isn’t out the question. [Trades are never out the question with these guys.]

There you have it. The restructuring brought on by the Bush meltdown has thrown the league wide open. If you’re playing in a political fantasy league, you might want to print this out and use it for reference. The season starts sooner than you think.