Status of other possible Democratic contenders
Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del.
Biden was the first candidate to say he planned to run in 2008, announcing in 2005. He has about $3 million available to transfer to a presidential account, which he has not yet created.
Retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark
The retired four-star general said he doesn't have a timeline for a decision, but if he does run, he won't wait as late as he did to enter the 2004 contest.
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y.
After winning re-election with 67 percent of the vote in November, Clinton no longer has to sidestep questions about whether she will run for president in 2008. Although she spent more than $30 million on her re-election campaign against a weak challenger, she still has about $14 million that she could shift to a presidential account if she runs.
Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn.
Dodd said in November he is "leaning" toward a race but won't make a final decision until early next year.
Former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C.
Promoting his latest book, the former vice presidential nominee says he will decide "in the next few months" whether to run for president. He has spent the past two years working on anti-poverty initiatives, wooing labor officials and other Democratic activists, and spending lots of time in key caucus and primary states like Iowa.
Former Vice President Al Gore
The 2000 nominee has said he has no plans to run for president but is mentioned as a potential candidate because of his record opposing the Iraq war and his environmental work.
Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.
Kerry has about $8 million left in his 2004 presidential fund to begin a potential 2008 bid. But he has a deficit of good will among Democrats after his recent "botched joke" on Iraq.
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.
Drawing large crowds and publicity for his latest book, Obama has said he is seriously considering a presidential bid and will decide "in the next few months."
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson
After winning re-election with 69 percent of the vote in November, the former U.N. ambassador, energy secretary and congressman said he will announce in January whether he will run for president.
Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack
The only candidate so far to officially launch a campaign and the only one from the first state to cast votes in the presidential selection process.
Early outs
Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner and Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., both of whom had explored potential bids, announced this fall they will not run.
-- Gannett News Service |
