If there's a single moment that sums up just how absurd the 2020 presidential race feels

to me right now, it's this one.

From George Stephanopoulos' Sunday talk show last weekend.

I'm not running for president, you know.

I guarantee you that I'm not going to run for president.

To me, that I probably ever.

First, Stephanopoulos plays this tape, Huleon Castro, the former mayor of San Antonio.

From a few years back, and Castro is denying he'd ever be interested in a presidential run.

But then Stephanopoulos welcomes Castro to the show.

Listen, everybody has a right to change their minds, to find their passion.

What's changed for you?

Well, a lot of things have changed, George.

Where he announces not that he's running, not quite.

But that he's thinking about it.

And oh yeah, he's got a big announcement to make later this week.

It was this elaborate presentation of a pretty simple idea, a presidential kabuki dance.

It is, I think kabuki is the exact right term for it.

It's just sort of the ritual of running.

Jamel Buies been slates political guru for years.

I asked him to tell me I'm not crazy.

Even though presidential campaign coverage can make me feel that way, as I try to keep track

of exploratory committees and chicken dinners in Iowa.

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