A list of candidates I think would run in 2008 if we don't win this time

[mot78]

(God Forbid we will ever have to make this decision. I want 2008 to be President Kerry or Edwards getting 90% in each primary unopposed)

Russ Feingold (a Senatorial Howard Dean) he'd be my first choice if he runs.

Hillary (I really hope not because she's too polarizing. She would also keep the DLC in power and stick to miquetoast-ness in terms of grassroots.)

Al Gore (depending on the circumstances, he could be like Nixon in '68, but like I said it's depends on what happens in the next four-five years)

Bill Richardson (being a Latino Southwest Governor he would bring in a Latino landslide, offsetting Jebbie's Florida advantage with Cubans...but his persona and demeanor make him VP material)

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagoyavich (sp?) (I've been hearing from some in Illinois that he'd run in 2008. However, this may sound trivial, but a problem of his will be having an "ethnic" name.)

Wes Clark (Not sure how a 2008 run would be differant than now. If we lose in 2004, then he won't get cabinent experiance. He could run for Governor in Arkansas against Huckabee in 2006 though.

Dean (Depeding on how he builds the party's grassroots. One of the reasons Nixon came back was that he campaigned fervantly for other candidates.)

VA Gov. Mark Warner (Just because he's a "fresh-face Southerner. It seems to me that every Southern moderate Democrat automatically becomes POTUS material simply because of what state they're from. He should run against George Allen in 2006 though)

[atreides1]

1. If we Don't win this time...

...I have a feeling there won't be a next time.

[mot78]

3. Relax!

If * wins reelection, he won't declare martial law and establish an outright dictatorship, but he will venture into nepotism with Jeb in 2008.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

6. that would never fly.

I think a part of the GOP itself would rebel and there would be a big primary fight.

There have been political dynastys in the US, but usually nothing quite as blatant as that.

[patricia92243]

8. Bush will declare marshall law if it looks like he might lose the election

but not afterward.

And of course if he wins now, there will not be any real elections in this third world nation anymore.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

2. Gosh it is kind of early....

I do agree Hilary, though popular with Dems, is pretty polarizing.

Right now there are no obvious candidates. We could say Gore & Dean again, but Im wondering whether or not they would be "last years model"....there was the example of Nixons comeback, as you note.

I do think Clark needs to win a statewide office in Arkansas before he goes for the nom again.

Warner. Thats interesting.

*****

My GOP 2008 primary field would be Hagel, Ridge, Giuliani, Liddy Dole, I'm pretty suire Hagel will run.

[Leilani]

10. Bill Frist is supposed to be a candidate

I can't stand him.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

14. Gag

another fundy.

[disenfranchised]

4. Edwards!

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

7. ....but hes going to be out of office.

I personally think Edwards would be an excellent candidate for 2008 in the event we lose this year.

But he will need to sustain some sort of network or organization over the next four years to prepare for the 2008 primary run, as I think he has given up his senate seat?

[I Lean Left]

5. Not to change the subject...

But your comment about President Kerry or Edwards running unopposed made me wonder: Are the Republicans having a primary this year? I haven't seen any so far.

[youngred]

11. There are

in NH there was something like 28 other republicans running.

But no serious challengers.

[formernaderite]

9. Dean would reemerge as a tour de force for change...

....and instead of running scared from strong language...the democrats would applaud it.

[David Dunham]

12. It's Hillary in 2008 if Kerry doen't win this time. Bet on it.

No other Democrat will be able to match her fundraising or speech making ability.

[PAMod]

13. Dean, Bayh, Rendell, Gore & Clinton, maybe Richardson for the D's

Ridge & Frist, maybe Giuliani, Eliz. Dole for the Gop. There might be pressure on Delay to run - to make the other repubs look human by comparison. Hey, maybe '08 is the year for Pat Buchanan. With the deficits that W is piling up, and the debacle in Iraq, Buchanan will be one republican that was "right" all along. But he might be too old.

Clark & Edwards will likely be "out of work" politically (maybe Hillary too) - it's tough to run from that position. Dean, Gore, Buchanan & Giuliani will be out of public office, but it looks like all three of them will remain at the forefront of public debate in spite of it (which can be a blessing or a curse.)

Edwards is an extremely attractive candidate, other than his glaring lack of experience. I'm wondering what he can do to bolster his resume between now & '08.

Dean would be in a stronger position if he were running from another region, in the event of a Kerry loss. But he and the Mrs. would never leave Vermont.

But who knows, really. Four years is an eternity in politics. Maybe I'll run.

[raysr]

15. If Bush gets

re-elected there won't be a USA in 2008.

[mot78]

16. Bayh is a DINO and if he got nominated, Greens would get 15% of the vote

Rendell is too insiderish, doesn't seem charismatic either. His job approval right now is in the tank in PA.....but so is *'s in that state.

It's interesting that we have likely Repugs, yet there arn't many Democrats right now. BTW there are two others I'd like to add: Elliot Spitzer, if he wins the Governor's mansion in '06, and, if Ahhnold gets his immigrant President amendment, Gov. Jennifer Granholm from MI.

[littlejoe]

17. I will not allow myself or anyone I know to think in negative

terms about this general election.