his fall, Fonzie was the incarnation of cool. Conformity, college, convention -- none of that mattered. He was an island of grit in a Great Lake of Wisconsin suburbia. His motorcycle, greasy hair, and leather jacket asserted his style. Fonzie didn't have to prove anything to anyone -- especially the American television audience. But, trading a Triumph for a gratuitous grasp at sitcom survival, the brain trust behind the creative curtain took leave of its senses and made a mockery of the Fonz. That was the beginning of the end for Richie, Potsie, and the entire cast. Since that unspeakable autumn evening, many seemingly immortal impresarios have followed the Fonz on his allegorical odyssey -- pushing their political prestige into obscurity. From the terror of a tank-touting Michael Dukakis, to the primal punch and scream of Howard Dean -- those who jump their proverbial shark forever place their best days behind them. They unwittingly outwit themselves and forget who and where they are -- more importantly, they forget who put them there. Obama's unspeakable act of shark-jumpery, was not actually spoken. It would be somewhat expected to point to his quip about the Cambridge police department; but that actually occurred months after his initial descent. The fact that much ado was made of his comment confirms that he had already fallen from grace -- otherwise, no one would have bothered to care about his Cambridge calamity. Neither was it his flat attempt at "Brewski diplomacy" on the South Lawn. Ridiculous