Keeping Count
With the 2006 elections less than three months behind us, the 2008 Presidential elections appear to be in full swing. I found this informative list in the New York Times that I felt was worth sharing to demonstrate just how strange the upcoming primary season is going to be. Here is the list, reproduced, for those who are too lazy to click.
Democratic Candidates
OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED
Senator Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut
John Edwards, former senator from North Carolina
Tom Vilsack, former governor of Iowa
Representative Dennis J. Kucinich of Ohio
ESTABLISHING EXPLORATORY COMMITTEES
Senator Barack Obama of Illinois
Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York
WIDELY MENTIONED
Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts
Al Gore, former vice president; from Tennessee
Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico
Gen. Wesley Clark, retired NATO commander; from Arkansas
Republican Candidates
OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED
Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas
ESTABLISHING EXPLORATORY COMMITTEES
Senator John McCain of Arizona
Rudolph W. Giuliani, former mayor of New York
Tommy G. Thompson, former governor of Wisconsin
James S. Gilmore III, former governor of Virginia
Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts
Representative Tom Tancredo of Colorado
WIDELY MENTIONED
Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska
Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas
Representative Duncan Hunter of California
Gov. George E. Pataki of New York
Newt Gingrich, former House speaker from Georgia
Assuming everyone runs (which is doubtful, but you never know) that means 11 Democrats and 12 Republicans. Talk about a crowded field!
probonogeek Politics
Sean, you forgot Former Senator Mike Gravel from Alaska, the first announced Democrat. Though perhaps the candidate with the least chance, I appreciate the maverick nature of his campaign. http://www.gravel2008.us/
It’s not I who forgot… it is the New York Times. His website has some interesting ideas, but I found this a bit disturbing:
“Abolish the Federal Income Tax & IRS, replacing them with the “Fair Tax” (a national sales tax);”
A national sales tax?! Seriously? In replace of the income tax? Talk about a massive tax cut for the wealthy. Woo! Since most income in the upper tax bracket is in the form of capital gains, which in turn just gets reinvested, this would be a boon. Not to mention the ease with which one could get around paying the tax.
I thought this idea died with Alan Keyes and Pat Buchanan.
I’m also concerned with his idea of having a national initiative mechanism. Given how poorly initiatives seem to work out west, what makes him think they will be any better nationally?
With Kucinich, he is one of the only Democrats who supports same-sex marriage though.