So, yes we should be able to talk about it. So to you naysayers...shoo, and keep your anti-discussion sniggies to yourself, that's just my opinion, of course.
From the 2004 Campaign:
http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2004/cands/demmain.htmlOverview
"Throughout the pre-campaign period in 2001-02, prominent Democratic presidential hopefuls were out in key states, establishing contacts, cultivating potential supporters, developing messages, and helping to raise money for Democratic candidates and state parties. Following former Vice President Gore's announcement of his decision not to run on December 15, 2002 the Democratic field began to crystallize. On September 17, 2003, after considerable hesitation, Gen. Wesley Clark became last Democratic candidate to enter ther race, bringing the field to its peak at ten. Sen. Bob Graham was the first major candidate to pull out of the race on October 6, 2003.
However, the big story throughout much of 2003 was the campaign of Gov. Howard Dean, which raised record amounts of money for a Democrat, generated considerable buzz, and appeared to place Dean on a solid path to the nomination. January 2004 produced an entirely different race. Dean fell short of expectations in the first-in-the-nation Iowa precinct caucuses and the New Hampshire primary. Sen. John Kerry, seen as the most electable candidate by Democrats wanting to defeat President Bush, gained huge momentum from Iowa and New Hampshire. On March 3 Kerry's strongest remaining challenger, Sen. John Edwards, withdrew after failing to win any of the ten Super Tuesday contests."
So then, 2005-06 is our pre-campaign season for prominent Democratic presidential hopefuls. Right?
Currently:
The Democrats
http://www.gwu.edu/%7Eaction/2008/dems08.html The Republicans
http://www.gwu.edu/%7Eaction/2008/reps08.html