2008: Obama vs. the Field

As Tim continues to drag his heels on the vetting of future Presidential candidates, here are two links to whet the appetite (and perhaps to help with the narrowing of the field).

Right-Wing News has done an impressive job of polling right-of-center bloggers on who they would most (and least) like to see grab the Republican Nomination. 20 candidates are listed as potentials, although I really don't see Newt or Cheney with a shot. A number of little-known Governors round out the field though, so take a look. The run-away winner? Condoleeza Rice. Good luck.

On the other side of the spectrum, a few days ago Kos linked to a column from the Chicago Tribune that outlined 8 reasons why Barack Obama will run for President in 2008. Kos found the arguments largely unconvincing, but I am not so sure. Watching Edwards ride the rough primary waters to a close 2nd place on the basis of a meager few years in the center, Obama's time may be sooner than later. He is wise to insist he is not running, for now. But depending on how the tides shift, it is certainly not out of the question.

Ultimately, what the column does reinforce is the true wide-open nature of the next Presidential contest. Now that the inauguration is behind us, let the running begin.