An End of the Year Recap - Democrats

Here is a year-end look at who is in and out for the Democratic nomination for the presidency:

IN:

• Dennis Kucinich - the Ohio Congressman has jumped into the race yet again. He believes the Democrats are not being anti-war enough for his tastes.
• Tom Vilsack - the popular governor of Iowa (home of the first caucuses) has declared and is off and running. Enjoy the attention now, for it won't last.

EXPLORING:

• Joe Biden - the Delaware Senator has done this before. He should know better. It won't work this time either.
• John Edwards - his website announced his candidacy before he did. A clear party favorite, can he make people forget that he was John Kerry's running mate in 2004?
• Bill Richardson - the New Mexico governor would be the first Hispanic candidate. From a red state, he could certainly make the Democrats sit up and take notice.

RUMORS:

• Wesley Clark - a contender in 2004, he brings military gravitas to the party. Can he get his message out now?
• Hillary Clinton - I like her. She's a fine Senator. But please, stay there. Make a career in the Senate. You could be the first woman Majority Leader. Please?
• Christopher Dodd - the Connecticut Senator is making noise. For now, that's all it is.
• Al Gore - he says he's not running. If he does, he can always say that he one in 2000 and he is just trying to get back in the front door.
• John Kerry - he will turn 65 in 2008, he will be up for reelection. Will someone whisper in his ear to go away?
• Barack Obama - he's well spoken, he's good looking, he's African-American, he's young, and he's inexperienced. By all means, let's call him the front runner.

OUT:

• Evan Bayh - the Senator from Indiana formed an exploratory committee and then declared he would not be a candidate. Too bad. He could have been a serious contender.
• Tom Daschle - the former South Dakota Senator should think about running to return to the Senate if Tim Johnson decides to retire after his health scare.
• Howard Dean - the screamer has done a good job as DNC Chair. He wants to keep that job and help elect the next president, which he says will not be him.
• Russ Feingold - the Wisconsin Senator announced he would enjoy being in the majority and work for the people from the Senate and not on the presidential campaign trail.
• Mark Warner - the former Virginia governor said his family asked him not to run. Again, a candidate from a red state, with deep pockets, he could have been a serious contender. An excellent VP choice.

An End of the Year Recap - Republicans

Here is a year-end look at who is in and out for the Republican nomination for the presidency:

IN:

• Rudy Giuliani - the major contender Republican candidate is in the race right now and he's getting all the press and the attention. But does he have the stamina?
• Duncan Hunter - the Congressman from California announced he would run while running for reelection to the House. Last House member to win the presidency? James Garfield in 1880.

EXPLORING:

• Sam Brownback - now in the minority, the Kansas Senator is making noise about running a very conservative campaign.
• Jim Gilmore - the former Virginia governor is a conservative favorite and a definite long-shot.
• John McCain - the undeclared front runner. However, I still don't see him running. He will be 72 in 2008, which, if he's elected, would make him the oldest person elected president.
• Mitt Romney - the outgoing Massachusetts governor is expected to join the race in early 2007.
• Tommy Thompson - the former Wisconsin Governor and Cabinet Secretary has formed an exploratory committee. Will he find anything or anyone to care?

RUMORS:

• Jeb Bush - Still the wild card, term limited, Bush won't be able to run again as governor of Florida. Will he seek to continue the Bush dynasty?
• Newt Gingrich - the former Speaker has said he will wait until Labor Day 2007 to make a decision. If there is no consensus candidate or the issues he believes in are not being addressed, he will get in. He can be a serious contender. My dark horse.
• Chuck Hagel - the moderate senator from Nebraska has been rumored to want the higher office. But can he reach back to the base?
• Mike Huckabee - the outgoing Arkansas Governor. Can Arkansas produce another President?
• George Pataki - The outgoing New York governor has presidential ambitions but will likely make a better veep candidate.
• Condoleezza Rice - A popular draft candidate, she may instead run for senate in California in 2006, especially if Diane Feinstein retires.

OUT:

• George Allen - he will spend the next two years wondering how he lost his Senate reelection.
• Haley Barbour - the Mississippi Governor and former RNC Chair got a lot of press after Katrina, but has said he is not running.
• Bill Frist - the outgoing Majority Leader is going home to Tennessee and is "retiring" from public service.
• Rick Santorum - see George Allen, but in Pennsylvania.

Brownback Goes Forth and a Republican Scorecard

Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) has announced the formation of an exploratory committee for a presidential run. Brownback has made clear that he will focus on social conservative issues, and is clearly the most conservative Republican to join the field. He is the fifth Republican to make plans to seek the presidency.

For those keeping score:

• Senator John McCain (AZ) - exploratory committee
• former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani - exploratory committee
• Rep. Duncan Hunter (CA) - exploratory committee
• Governor Mitt Romney (MA) - expected to join race in early 2007
• Governor Mike Huckabee (AZ) - on radar screens
• Senator Chuck Hagel (NE) - on radar screens
• former Speaker Newt Gingrich (GA) - on radar screens
• Governor George Pataki - longshot
• Secretary (and former Governor) Tommy Thompson - longshot
• Senator Bill Frist (TN) - NO
• Senator George Allen - NO
• Senator Rick Santorum - NO

Bayh Says Aye

While former Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD) retreats to the sidelines, announcing he will not run for the presidency in 2008, the "Republicrat" from Indiana has announced plans to seek the top job. Evan Bayh, son of Birch, has announced plans to form an exploratory committee and make a candidacy announcement early in the new year.

I applaud this move. I have been telling anyone who will listen that the Democrats will not win back the White House with another Northeastern liberal. Take a look at the two last Democratic presidents - Arkansas and Georgia. The successful candidate will come from a red state with a proven record of winning. Bayh has served as both Governor of Indiana and as its Senator.

I grew up in the Northeast. But I like winning, too. Today, Evan's my guy.