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 CandidatesOFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED
Senator Christopher J. Dodd of ConnecticutJohn Edwards, former senator from North CarolinaTom Vilsack, former governor of IowaRepresentative Dennis J. Kucinich of OhioESTABLISHING EXPLORATORY COMMITTEES
Senator Barack Obama of IllinoisSenator Joseph R. Biden Jr. of DelawareSenator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New YorkWIDELY MENTIONED
Senator John Kerry of MassachusettsAl Gore, former vice president; from TennesseeGov. Bill Richardson of New MexicoGen. Wesley Clark, retired NATO commander; from ArkansasRepublican CandidatesOFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED
Senator Sam Brownback of KansasESTABLISHING EXPLORATORY COMMITTEES
Senator John McCain of ArizonaRudolph W. Giuliani, former mayor of New YorkTommy G. Thompson, former governor of WisconsinJames S. Gilmore III, former governor of VirginiaMitt Romney, former governor of MassachusettsRepresentative Tom Tancredo of ColoradoWIDELY MENTIONED
Senator Chuck Hagel of NebraskaMike Huckabee, former governor of ArkansasRepresentative Duncan Hunter of CaliforniaGov. George E. Pataki of New YorkNewt Gingrich, former House speaker from GeorgiaAssuming everyone runs (which is doubtful, but you never know) that means 11 Democrats and 12 Republicans. Talk about a crowded field!
3 comments:
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.
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