Former Gov. Tom Vilsack (D-IA)

by: Hazen Pingree

Sat Feb 03, 2007 at 17:08:25 PM EST

2008 Democratic Presidential Nomination Watch -- Vol. II.

by: Michael McGuinness

Sun Nov 26, 2006 at 16:03:43 PM EST

I am back with Volume II of the far too soon and far too horserace-ish 2008 Democratic Presidential Nomination Watch, as promised last Sunday.

Here are the results from our first installation of the Democratic presidential choice poll, from November 19 to November 26, 2006:

* Wesley Clark - 7 votes (20%)

* John Edwards - 6 votes (17.14%)

* Al Gore - 6 votes (17.14%)

* Barack Obama - 6 votes (17.14%)

* Evan Bayh - 2 votes (5.71%)

* Hillary Clinton - 2 votes (5.71%)

* Tom Daschle - 2 votes (5.71%)

* Bill Richardson - 2 votes (5.71%)

* Joe Biden - 1 votes (2.86%)

* Tom Vilsack - 1 votes (2.86%)

* Christopher Dodd - 0 votes (0%)
* Mike Gravel - 0 votes (0%)
* John Kerry - 0 votes (0%)

The poll for the coming week is included in the extended text. Also included are the following stories that have developed over the past week. Lets see what some of our candidates have been up to:

- Obama talks with top advisers in Iowa

- Denver poised to land 2008 convention

- Presidential candidates court activists

- Edwards, Obama gain attention on book tours

- SurveyUSA approval ratings of Senators

- Emmanuel hopes to avoid Clinton, Obama clash

- Clinton lobbies for New York convention bid

- Carville makes Dem candidacy predictions

- Americans consider Clinton qualified to run

- Feingold does not rule out VP nomination

- Clinton financial advantage depleted

- CNN polls Democratic candidates for president

- Home state voters favor Obama, Clinton runs

- Kerry says he's not out of the '08 race

- Edwards says Obama should run for president

Plus, a focus on the next candidate in no particular order alphabetically: U.S. Senator Joseph "Joe" Biden of Delaware.

2008 Democratic Presidential Nomination, Michigan-Style!

by: Michael McGuinness

Sun Nov 19, 2006 at 19:34:23 PM EST

In the newspapers and in our living rooms, we are already being inundated with intrigue and inuendo regarding the nominating process for our 2008 presidential candidate. In fact we've been inundated with it even before the votes had been cast in 2004.

Believe it or not, a few presidential aspirants  have already made their intentions officially known. Whether they have made it official or not, some have already ventured to Michigan (a few on numerous occasions).

This is true for both the Democratic and Republican parties, but it is even more pronounced on the GOP side. For the purposes of digesting and determining who our standard bearer shall be, there is much to discuss.

I do not deliberate on this topic at the expense of making down-ballot gains or helping our Democrats now in power govern effectively. There are important nonpartisan (at least officially) municipal elections that will take place before a single caucus or primary vote will be cast.

I recognize and relish that, but I also recognize the importance of our presidential nomination. You should not feel guilty for thinking about it, either.

At no time in our nation's history since 1952 have the presidential nominations for both parties not involved either a presidential or vice presidential incumbent in either race. Thats a pretty big deal. It also heightens the political implications of the election's outcome, since it will probably chart the relative success and failure for the respective major parties for quite a few election cycles to come.

So, with that, lets talk about it.