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Lefties for President!

If only Hillary Clinton knew she was up against a southpaw — or two, to be precise. Less than 10 percent of adults are left-handed, but four of the last six presidents were (George W. and Jimmy Carter being the odd men out). And now it turns out both John McCain and Barack Obama are lefties.

A recent story in the New York Sun may explain why voters this year went with the left. "Studies have shown that whereas righties favor the left hemisphere of their brain, which controls language, left-handers are more likely to have bilateral brain function, which could allow them to visualize problems more broadly and with more complexity."

Hey, that sounds like a formula for change. Apparently left-handers are more likely to be good at math and art, but also more likely to be crazy. They are also pretty good at sports, although in Obama's case, probably not bowling.

The two candidates also share views on a few key issues. Both say the U.S. should close the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Both have been associated with ethics in government — McCain with campaign finance reform and Obama with congressional ethics rules. Each also takes a slightly progressive but middle-of-the-road approach to both global warming and immigration.

What does any of this mean? Well maybe these two candidates aren't so different in the way they think - if you take away the election season and partisan posturing. Perhaps that's what was behind the Freudian slip McCain made earlier this season, introducing himself as a "proud conservative liberal Republican".

Then again, groups like LeftiesforObama beg to differ. "Do not fear, fellow lefty," the site administrator posts. "These two candidates may both be left-handed. But let us remember that if we hold them up and contrast them and their positions, the decision is easy: there is only one candidate Left."

Rebecca Wakefield is MOLI's Election Center editor.