2008 rundowns

[Mr. Morden]

You should add Keating to the "seem interested" category.

[Mr. Morden]

I just made a rough estimate, and I'm pretty sure that more than half of the population of the US lives in a state where you already have someone from that state who's either a declared candidate or has an exploratory committee.

Of course, that statistic is helped a lot by folks like Duncan Hunter and Ron Paul, who come from very populous states, but don't have any realistic chance of winning.

Don't those of you without any presidential candidates from your state feel left out? 

[Mr. Morden]

With Huckabee now about to jump in, the only people left in the "seem interested" category are Clark, Sharpton, Gingrich, Hagel, and Pataki.  Gingrich has said that he will not make a decision until September.  But I imagine that we'll be getting announcements, one way or the other, from Clark, Sharpton, Hagel, and Pataki before the end of February.

[Mr. Morden]

Hagel decision: Early 2007

More specifically, a week ago he said "I will make a decision here in the next couple of weeks. I have to if I’m going to get in the presidential race."

http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2007/01/hagel_indie_can.html

[Mr. Morden]

Word is that Clark will run

Word from where?

[Mr. Morden]

Weren't both Clark and Hagel supposed to have decided by now?

[Mr. Morden]

Well, the Clark announcement was just a rumor.  But with Hagel, this is what he said three weeks ago: "I will make a decision here in the next couple of weeks. I have to if I’m going to get in the presidential race."

Looks like he's a bit later than anticipated in his decision making.  Or else he's made the decision, but just hasn't announced it yet.

[Mr. Morden]

Giuliani has confirmed that he's running, so you can probably move him to the "in" category:

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"He confirmed it Wednesday, telling King, "Yes, I'm running. ... I think I can make a difference. I believe that the country needs leadership.""

[Mr. Morden]

I don't think he's filed with the FEC yet though.

http://wcbstv.com/topstories/local_story_036140848.html

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""Today we just took another step toward running for president," the Republican said, hours after filing a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission, which moved him closer to a full-fledged campaign."
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He filed with the FEC even before announcing his candidacy.

[Mr. Morden]

When did Huckabee go from exploratory committee to regular candidate?

Also, you should add Keyes to the list of possibles.  I mean, if you're going to include folks like Gore and Hagel, you might as well include Keyes.

[Mr. Morden]

I appreciate all of jfern's effort with this.  However, at this point, does this thread really still need to be stickied?  I mean, if we're now going to use it to track 3rd party candidates, then OK.  But otherwise, I think it's no longer necessary.