On Müntefering: he's perceived to have some "left cred" in the public (because of the "locust debate"), but not so much inside the party (he's for higher retirement age etc.).

Tiefensee: almost no one knows him. He'd have to come out into the sunshine pretty soon. On the plus side, elections are essentially won in east Germany, because there are the most swing voters.

That's also a plus for Platzeck. But he disappointed many of his fans when he had to give up again just after becoming party leader.

"Red Heidi": now this is a joke, right? I mean, just picture her meeting Bush and try not to laugh.

"If you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles." Sun Tzu