Among Candidates, a Few Wild Cards Could Reshuffle the Race
|
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
The names of the 2008 front-runners are familiar to any political junkie with a pulse. But what about the slew of lesser-known candidates seeking the nomination in both parties? Sure, they don't have the star power of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) or Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), or the fundraising chops of Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) or former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani (R). But several of these lesser lights could make a real impact on next year's nomination fight.
Here's a look at a few wild cards to watch:
Tommy Thompson (R)
Ace in the Hole: During his 14 years as Wisconsin's governor, Thompson was among the nation's most creative and innovative chief executives on welfare reform and school choice. He is also building a credible Iowa organization.
Snake Eyes: Money. Thompson was never seriously challenged in his four gubernatorial races and as a result never had to build a national fundraising network. He needs one now.
Chris Dodd (D)
Ace in the Hole: The senator from Connecticut is an old political hand who knows nearly everyone in Democratic politics. He's also surrounded himself with an impressive group of advisers, including former Clinton White House political director Doug Sosnik and Sen. John Kerry's 2004 campaign manager, Jim Jordan.
Snake Eyes: What's his niche? He's a strong critic of the Iraq war but voted for the 2002 use-of-force resolution -- a vote some of his opponents are sure to bring up if he starts gaining traction.
Chuck Hagel (R)
