The Candidate Field for the
2008 Presidential Race

Candidates Off and Running

Commentary for Monday 02/12/2007 Candidates are out of the Gate

Onward to 2008: Most of the major candidates have officially entered the Presidential sweepstakes for 2008. The Democrat side of the spectrum is well represented, while the Republican side remains a bit muttled.

The Democrat Side: The Democrat charge is led by Hillary Clinton who has been covertly running ever since the Clintons left the Whitehouse in 2001. The next tier of wannabes include Barack Obama, Senator Edwards, Senator Joe Biden, Governor Tom Vilsack of Iowa, and Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico. Obama the rock star, Biden the Harold Stassen of the party, and Tom Vilsack the local spoiler in Iowa, will probably turn out to be 'also rans'. But Hillary has to be looking over her shoulder at Richardson and Edwards. Senator Edwards has the backing of the liberal wing of the party, while Governor Richardson is a traditional Democrat with acceptable centrist views and experience to match. Off in the way-out-there land, still lurks Al Gore who at this time, hasn't committed to the race, but would garner a lot of support if he decides to enter the fray.

The Republican Side: The current leading Republicans are Rudy Guliani and Senator John McCain. The wannabes are Mitt Romney, Senator Sam Brownback, Goverernor Mike Huckabee, and not committed yet, former Speaker Newt Gingrich. The conservative wing of the party is not enthusiastic about any of the declared candidates, and Newt may have baggage that will prevent him from the prize. Most conservatives will tell you that they are hoping to have a true conservative emerge to carry their banner. The Republican race for the nomination reminds me of the old Redd Foxx comedic description of a race with "Cabbage by a head, and Tomato trying to Ketchup". It will be fun to watch, as the competition for the prize heats up.

What is missing from this race: Neither side, Democrat nor Republican wannabes want to tell us what they propose to solve any of the problems that they so astutely discern. "A new beginnning" isn't a solution, it's a slogan. "Withdraw" isn't a solution. "Quit" isn't a solution. "Taking the oil companies profits" isn't a solution. All are good at throwing stones, but solutions are a bit more difficult. Do you think that if the candidates manage to make Bush look bad, that somehow it makes that candidate look like a hero? I'm looking forward to this presidential race, as it has all the earmarks of being a historic one. Just think, we have, the first woman as a major candidate, first Black as a major candidate, an unpopular war going on, and a very unpopular President in office with no successor to step in. you can be sure we will have to suffer countless T.V. ads telling us how rotten the opposition is.

Robert welcomes your comment to this or any other of my commentaries.

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