Horse Race 2008! Informal Analysis

[thatguyoverthere]

Okay, here's an informal thread to discuss and handicap the 2008 presidential election. I love national politics and especially elections. Lotsa good beer drinking and C-Span watching in my future.

I'm including people who haven't announced, and I know I'm missing a lot of folks who are expected to run. If you know of any other people rumored to be running, just let me know!

DEMOCRATS:

Tom Vilsack - From Iowa, but running behind in the polls in his own state. That's pretty sad. This guy is going to have a tough time selling himself nationally if he can't do it to his own people.

John Edwards - Still in debt from the last race, and running on a platform in favor of helping poor people. I admire him greatly for that, but it's not traditionally a winning platform. Other than his name recognition and significantly solid work in Iowa and N.H., beyond those two primaries I still think he's got an uphill battle. But, at least he's running with the big dogs.

Barrack Obama - OMG his middle name is Hussein!!II!1O1O!1 But seriously, he's the rock star of the moment. Gotta give him props, the MNF thing was brilliant, and so early on in the race, too. Will he flare out or go all the way? As they used to say; only time will tell!

Hillary Clinton - IMO she's the one to beat. The others are fighting for the spot to be the "anti-Hillary." Not only does she have the name recognition far beyond anyone else, she's got buckets of cash and she's a sitting Senator, and she's also married to one of the most experienced and successful politicians of our time. Fundraising won't be a problem.

John Kerry - Oh, please Santa, don't let Kerry run again.

Bill Richardson - A real wild card. The Latino vote could be significant. Even if he doesn't have much of a chance, he seems like a smart and reasonable fellow and I think he would elevate the discourse among the Democratic candidates. Otherwise, he seems overly bland and staid, which I think will possibly work against him.

Wesley Clark - I honestly don't know if he's been preparing to run. I like him a lot and would welcome him to the contest, but he might not have any of the wow or novelty factor this time around to make a significant showing.

REPUBLICANS:

John McCain - Well-known, well-respected for the most part. He seems to be courting the far right, which is what he needs to do to win the primaries. He should have many advantages in this race, especially if he gets the Republican establishments blessings.

Rudy Giulani - Also well-known and well-respected. I think he would be very strong in a general election, but he's probably too far to the left to get far in the primaries. Very interesting and tough position for him to be in.

Newt Gingrich - Another name with national recognition, but not as much of the good will as the other guys. I'd like to hear more of what he has to say and evaluate him further.

LIBERTARIAN:

Who?

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Anyways, it should be an interesting two years! Viva Le Electionias!!