"A splendid mess" is how Lou Dobbs of CNN described the outcome of last night's presidential primaries. A mess indeed: It looks like the two parties will move forward with at least four serious candidates still standing. 

It's impossible to say what precisely was motivating voters in all the Super Tuesday states. But national exit polls cited on ABC suggested that healthcare probably wasn't it. 

• Among Democrats, healthcare has slipped from the No. 2 to the No. 3 issue motivating voters, behind the economy and Iraq.
• Among Republicans, healthcare has nearly disappeared from the screen. It ranks behind (at least) the economy, Iraq, immigration and terrorism.

It's naive to think that the next couple of weeks will feature a reasoned debate about drug costs, stem cell research and the best way to achieve universal healthcare coverage.

No: From here on out, the action shifts from the mind to the gut. Things get simpler. Change vs. Experience. Insider vs. Outsider. Old vs. Young. Gather a big crowd. Deliver the one-liner. Make the heart flutter--or sink.

There will be plenty of time this summer and fall to dig into the issues. For now, maybe the best idea is to sit back while this whole "splendid mess" sorts itself out, and enjoy the show.