Jim, playing the role of John McLaughlin in our roundtable: Destined for Political Stardom: Pope Benedict the XVI. No, really. We thought we were getting a cranky German theologian, who didn’t understand the world outside the church and had no hope of equaling his predecessor on the world stage. And yet with a couple of intriguing moves this year, Benedict demonstrated he can use his theological status to influence the debate around the globe.

First, while we love the way the South Park guys illustrated the double-standard of tolerance in the aftermath of the Danish cartoon controversy, Benedict’s address in Germany used one line from a Byzantine Emperor to point out what everyone knows, but is afraid to say publicly– that large swaths of the Muslim world cannot deal with criticism or free expression, and explode in murderous rage at the slightest perceived insult. In response to the accusation of violent tendencies, churches were firebombed in Nablus and Gaza, a Somali nun was murdered by shooting her in the back, and outside Westminster Cathedral, protestors held banners which included calls for the Pope’s execution –  confirming the accusation inherent in the quote.

The fact that the editors of New York Times, reacting to Benedict’s words and the response of riots, death threats and actual murders from the Muslim world, chose to denounce Benedict, may have been the single most revealing statement of the year.

Then, having been denounced in much of the Muslim world as an enemy, he comes to Turkey in November and wins over a lot of skeptical Turks with his slightly more open stance on Turkey entering the EU, but emphasizes the importance of tolerance and religious freedom in Turkey. He speaks a little Turkish, waves the Turkish flag, praises his hosts, prays at Ataturk’s mausoleum, visits the Blue Mosque and bows his head in the direction of Mecca – and suddenly Turks have to recognize he’s hitting all the right notes. Then he has a solid, positive meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I; while reuinification with the Eastern Orthodox Church isn’t going to happen overnight, the image of the two men praying together, and then clasping their hands before a crowd of worshippers of both faiths is a lovely signal of religious brotherhood in an era where faith divides so many.

The Papacy is a nearly-unequaled megaphone for communicating a message; I think this was the year Benedict XVI started figuring out how to use it.

Also, he can shoot lightning from his fingers.

Jim’s Runner Up: Shempu the Imaginary Sperm Whale Who Lives in Cam’s Bathtub.

Marshall: Boy, if Benedict isn’t already a political star, I don’t know who is.

I’m going to go in a different direction — Rep. Mike Pence has run and lost two campaigns for house leadership, but in the process, he’s built a corps of grassroots supporters across the country who appreciate his efforts to return the House Republican conference to its roots in Reaganism. Pence is a little known figure to most Americans. My bet — in a few more years, he’s going to be a household name.

Cam says: I’ll have to go with Britney Spears. We’ve seen her highs, we’ve seen her lows… we’ve seen her vagina. And yet we still loves us our Britney. Ten years from now, after the reality show, after the farewell tour, after the comeback tour, after the talk show and the Playboy pictorial… she’s going to run for Congress in Louisiana and win.

Shempu says: Wheeeee! I’m destined for political stardom! But Shempu’s pick for Destined for Political Stardom is Cindy Sheehan. I mean, she’s a Peace Mom. Who doesn’t love moms who are for peace? Besides, she looks kind of like Shempu’s Uncle Buster… and Shempu loves Uncle Buster.

Jim’s wrap up: Wow. Now that’s some variety in our winners. I’ll bet that right now Mike Pence’s office is thinking, “Hey, the boss got nominated in the same category as the Pope!”

Unfortunately, he also narrowly beat out an imaginary sperm whale.