Do You Think There Will Be A Second "Wave" Of Candidates In 2008 Election?

[Dinger]

Possibilities (off the top of my head - I'm probably forgetting some. Please add any I left out):

Democrats:

Wesley Clark
Al Gore



repukes:
fred thompson
jeb
newt
mccain


"A" party:
lieberman
nader

[rhino47]

1. I predict a Richardson surge .

He has an awesome resume .He also is an excellent closer.

[Czolgosz]

5. I'm predicting that Richardson will fall like a rock after defending Abu Gonzales and Bush

Question: Alberto Gonzalez happens to be a member of your community. Is this guy
gonna survive? He's the first Hispanic to have that job.

Richardson: Yeah, I know. I'm rooting for him, I like the guy, I know him. I hope he survives....

Question: It occurs to me now, listening to you talk about your friend who you know, Mr. Gonzalez, it draws a stark contrast between—I haven't checked where all the other candidates are, but I know Obama is on record very clearly saying Gonzalez should step down. I suspect other Democrats running for president are maybe saying the same thing. That's a contrast between you and others on whether or not this guy should step down.

Richardson: That's right. I do believe that it's up to a president to make those decisions about Cabinet members. Obviously, Alberto's very damaged, and he's gotta be frank and testify
and do what has to happen. But I think that's up to the president.

Question: So you would not call for his stepping down right now.

Richardson: No, no. And you know what? Part of it maybe is because he's the highest-ranking Hispanic ever.

Question: But wrongdoing is wrongdoing, though. If he did wrong.

Richardson: Well, I think it's more a lack of attention, lack of a plan, lack of being thorough. He's too much the president's lawyer. He's too much of a political person. And I recognize that. ... I've had conversations with him on immigration. I thought he was very competent. ... But I just think, Tavis, that this is a presidential decision. You can pick your Cabinet. And if somebody's not performing, let him go.

Source and more context: http://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/archive/200703/20070321_richardson.html

[Eric J in MN]

10. It is Bush's decision whether to ask Alberto Gonzales to resign, but...

...if someone wants to be president, it's helpful if he tells us how he would handle a similar situation instead of just stating that it's Bush's decision.

[TheFarseer]

2. Remember last time with Wes Clark?

The media was building him up to get him to run and then when he did, they were all bitching about how he was unqualified. I think they will try to get some people to run just so they can sh*t on them again. I think there are a few people that could have an impact - certainly Gore, maybe Jeb

[MistressOverdone]

3. I sure hope so

because I'd like to see Gore in the race.

[paulk]

4. with California moving it's primary up and NY thinking about it

along with a whole slew of other states also thinking about it...

IMHO anyone thinking of running has got a very small window from here on out to declare themselves in, and considering how much money it's going to take... I really don't expect anyone new to jump in on the Dem side.

[Labors of Hercules]

6. Gore is really the only one who already has enough in reserve to do it.

If he does though, and I personally think he will, I think it will be the fastest campaign ramp-up in history.

[paulk]

9. I agree that Gore is the only one who could realistically do it

but, I think that even he will have to make that decision sooner rather than later. A lot of the big money donors are already being snapped up, along with the political operatives that will be needed to run the type of campaign required.

Gore will have built in name recognition, but he'll still need the sort of money that a grassroots effort just won't be able to raise to compete in places like NY and California. And it looks now like Florida is going to move up also.

He's got a couple of months at most, IMO.

[Labors of Hercules]

12. I'd be very surprised if he doesn't already have enough donor commitments

lined up.
Does anyone know of any donors who usually commit early, but haven't yet? Because if there are some high profile donors who are known to be close to Gore and are obviously holding off their commitments to another candidate, it would be a way to find out with relative surity whether Gore will, in fact, be running.

[Eric J in MN]

7. Senator Chuck Hagel is another possible late Republican entry.

He said he's thinking about running.

[Colobo]

8. No.

[Eric J in MN]

11. What is that a photo of? NT

NT

[Colobo]

14. Former 5-time world champion Felix "Tito" Trinidad

42 wins, 2 losses, 35 wins by KO.

Won 5 titles in 3 different weight classes (welterweight, jr. middleweight and middleweight). Among his victories are wins over Yori Boy Campas, Hector "Macho" Camacho, Oba Carr, Pernell Whitaker, Oscar de la Hoya, David Reid, Fernando Vargas, William Joppy and Ricardo Mayorga. His only two losses were against Bernard Hopkins (L TKO12) and Ronald "Winky" Wright (L UD12).

He retired in 2005 after his loss to Wright. A boxing legend from Puerto Rico.

[KingofNewOrleans]

13. Uh, McCain is already running

and it's obvious that Newt badly wants to run.

I think late entries are more likely on the Repub side.

Gore has the resources and name recognition to still get in. Clark doesn't unless Edwards or Richardson leave the race.