A U.S. campaign strategist for the 2017 German federal elections?

Sunday in Germany still tends to be somewhat boring compared to the United States, or re-assuringly relaxed, if you enjoy slowing down once a week.

Were it not for the internet and teasers of Monday morning's newspaper headlines.

Besides the annual "the world is coming apart" bash called the Munich Security Conference, the tantalizing attention grabber launched by Der Spiegel is the news that Germany's social democrats (SPD, think "Dems") are in talks with Democratic campaign manager Mr. Messina to help them pull off a Germanic yes, we can in the next federal election.

Planning two years ahead for a national election in Germany seems a bit unusual. Traditionally, the country's career politicians have had little incentive for all out campaigning. The electoral system with its party lists virtually ensures a lifetime of well paid work in politics for the leaders of the larger parties, CDU/CSU and SPD.

The social democrats, however, have seen their fortunes decline quite substantially and are hovering at around 25% nationally, while conservatives of CDU/CSU are so far above 40% that some even think they could pass 50% next time around, an absolute majority, the realization of the dream to govern without any coalition partner.

In this setting, the news about the potential hiring of Mr. Messina does highlight some interesting aspects of German political discourse.

The few voices talking about modernizing and re-invigorating German campaigns are drowned out by those who fear that politics as entertainment is coming to the country.

Some call it proof of sheer desperation in a party that used to stand for social justice, yet dismantled much of the social safety nets and only recently worked to introduce a minimum wage in one of the world's largest economies.

If you are interested in German politics, just wait a few days until Der Spiegel has an English translation of the article on its web site and check it out for yourself.

Although, to be honest, German politics is terminally boring, and the electorate seems to think this, too: their once stellar participation rates in elections are rapidly approaching American percentages.

A recent county commissioner poll around saw a 36% participation.