"Everyone who goes to 2046 has the same intention, they want to recapture lost memories. Because in 2046 nothing ever changes." So starts Wong Kar Wai's magnificent tale of the intersection of love, space and time, "2046." The movie focuses primarily on Chow Mo Wan, played by Tony Leung. It also shows the tangential stories of others that give his context and texture. The film is a followup to "In the Mood for Love," which was delicate look at two neighbors who find companionship and comfort in one another as they come to the realization that their own spouses are carrying on an extramarital affair with the other's.
Visually, Wong has created another powerful film using limited lighting and darker tones to infuse it with sensuality. The scenes take place in confined spaces that lend intimacy to the characters and bring us closer to them. The lack of space also suggests the confined nature of their lives where their actions are limited and movement dictated. Science fiction is a leitmotif that movie plays with, mainly due to the imaginative possibility that it holds for characters who are lacking in it.
"2046" finds Chow, no longer the cuckold, a playboy who writes by day and parties with friends by night. Bai Ling, played by Zhang Ziyi in a magnificent but largely overlooked performance, enters the story very early and quickly becomes Chow's main love interest. It is through Chow's relationship with her that we understand what he has become by this film, a man held by the past yet so scarred by it as well that his heart is no longer open.
2046 has become a metaphor for Chow's life and is the films primary leitmotif. It represents the quest for missed opportunities and moments. Characters find love in the film but they do not recognize it or embrace it typically until it is too late. And once they discover what their inaction or slow response has cost them, they try and recapture it, their lost memories, an impossibility by the very definition. But the person whose love was unrequited by the delayed response time of the object of his/her affection is equally doomed. At one point, Chow reflects, "I slowly began to doubt myself. Maybe the reason she didn't answer was not that her reactions were delayed but simply that she didn't love me. So at last, I got it. It's entirely out of my control. The only thing left for me...was to give up."
And thus we see driving forces that dictate the hopeless and endless wandering of the characters in the world that "2046" presents. One person falls in love and while the other is delaying, he/she gives up. The other slowly comes to realize what he/she had and has now lost and begins the quest to recapture it, a quest that will bear no fruit. Yet though the person who loved first has moved on, he/she hasn't really. As Chow recounts, "I once fell in love with someone. I couldn't stop wondering if she loved me back. I found an android which looked just like her. I hoped she would give me the answer." In seeking out new lovers, the person seeks to decipher the past, but this too is impossible. By the end, the film's ultimate message on moments and seizing them when they are there, rings profoundly true: "Love is all a matter of timing. It's no good meeting the right person too soon or too late. If I'd lived in another time or place...my story might have had a very different ending."
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
The Democratic Triumvirate (and the others) Debates
CNN scripted Sunday night’s Democratic debate in New Hampshire – there are the Big Three – Senator Clinton, former Senator Edwards, and Senator Obama – and then there are the rest. The three were positioned at the center of the stage and were allotted the majority of the time to respond to questions and debate issues.
Hillary handled herself quite masterfully. She displayed her policy knowledge (particularly on the question of having English as our official language) and her political agility. She cast herself as the nominee and matriarch of the Party almost, reminding the crowd that the Democratic candidates on stage were not so dissimilar, that the real differences were between the eight of them on the one side and the 10/11/12 Republican candidates and George W. Bush on the other.
John Edwards continued to antagonize his rivals, which is emerging as part of the dual strategy of his campaign – propose big ideas and take shots at the Democratic frontrunners. He chided Barack Obama on his healthcare proposal and criticized both Obama and Clinton on their lack of leadership on Iraq. Both times, however, Senator Obama rebuffed Senator Edwards quite handily. On the question of leadership on Iraq, the junior senator from Illinois reminded Edwards and all the viewers that he had opposed the War from the start, unlike Edwards who had voted to authorize it, and so Edwards was “4 ½ years late on leadership.”
Obama had a much stronger performance than he did at the first debate. He dealt with policy details well, especially on healthcare, responded forcefully when attacked, and showed some passion that has been lacking (indicative of his more reserved, contemplative Midwestern style) at times on the campaign trail. If he continues to show such improvement, Hillary had better watch out. His political skills have been a bit of a sleeping giant thus far on the campaign.
Kucinich and Biden did the best among the rest to distinguish themselves. Biden flexed his foreign policy muscles in a major way and also showed the most passion of any candidate when he addressed the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. Kucinich continued to chastise Democrats for showing a lack of leadership on Iraq and healthcare. His calls for Democrats to cut off all funding did not seem totally crazy as he made a strong case for his reasoning. He still however comes off across as wimpish with his incessant calls for peace (perhaps an indictment on America and perhaps humans in general). And I still cannot decide whether his proposal for a “Department of Peace” reminds me of doublespeak or if it just seems like he is living with his queen Tinker Bell as king of the Faries along with Captain Hook, Peter Pan and the Lost Boys in Never Never Land.
Richardson continues to fail to impress, which is a problem for him. He is perhaps the one candidate who was not part of the trinity that could have broken into the top-tier. However, he also should be making a strong play for the vice president slot, but if he continues to stumble, it will become less and less likely. The good news for him is that there are still a lot of months left to pick his game up.
Hillary handled herself quite masterfully. She displayed her policy knowledge (particularly on the question of having English as our official language) and her political agility. She cast herself as the nominee and matriarch of the Party almost, reminding the crowd that the Democratic candidates on stage were not so dissimilar, that the real differences were between the eight of them on the one side and the 10/11/12 Republican candidates and George W. Bush on the other.
John Edwards continued to antagonize his rivals, which is emerging as part of the dual strategy of his campaign – propose big ideas and take shots at the Democratic frontrunners. He chided Barack Obama on his healthcare proposal and criticized both Obama and Clinton on their lack of leadership on Iraq. Both times, however, Senator Obama rebuffed Senator Edwards quite handily. On the question of leadership on Iraq, the junior senator from Illinois reminded Edwards and all the viewers that he had opposed the War from the start, unlike Edwards who had voted to authorize it, and so Edwards was “4 ½ years late on leadership.”
Obama had a much stronger performance than he did at the first debate. He dealt with policy details well, especially on healthcare, responded forcefully when attacked, and showed some passion that has been lacking (indicative of his more reserved, contemplative Midwestern style) at times on the campaign trail. If he continues to show such improvement, Hillary had better watch out. His political skills have been a bit of a sleeping giant thus far on the campaign.
Kucinich and Biden did the best among the rest to distinguish themselves. Biden flexed his foreign policy muscles in a major way and also showed the most passion of any candidate when he addressed the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. Kucinich continued to chastise Democrats for showing a lack of leadership on Iraq and healthcare. His calls for Democrats to cut off all funding did not seem totally crazy as he made a strong case for his reasoning. He still however comes off across as wimpish with his incessant calls for peace (perhaps an indictment on America and perhaps humans in general). And I still cannot decide whether his proposal for a “Department of Peace” reminds me of doublespeak or if it just seems like he is living with his queen Tinker Bell as king of the Faries along with Captain Hook, Peter Pan and the Lost Boys in Never Never Land.
Richardson continues to fail to impress, which is a problem for him. He is perhaps the one candidate who was not part of the trinity that could have broken into the top-tier. However, he also should be making a strong play for the vice president slot, but if he continues to stumble, it will become less and less likely. The good news for him is that there are still a lot of months left to pick his game up.
The most important thing that needs to happen before the next debate is that the Dodd and Biden campaigns need to get together to coordinate wardrobes. If you did not catch it, both candidates were wearing the same tie.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Immediate Thoughts After Watching the 1st GOP Debate
10:30 pm
What was most shocking about the Republican Party debate tonight at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California was the fact that, with the exception of Congressman Ron Paul, none of the second-tier (and there are only two tiers) candidates attempted to take down any of the big three. Governor Mitt Romney and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani were allowed their previous flip flops, Giuliani was allowed his less-than-conservative credentials, and Senator John McCain was allowed his previous lack of loyalty to the Party. This is much like last week’s Democratic debate, though the Dems displayed not only civility but congeniality. What is odd about the unwillingness of the GOP candidates to go after one-another is that Republicans are unhappy with their candidates currently, which means that giants can and will fall. The top tier – Giuliani, McCain, and Romney – may be reticent to go after each other because if opens a bigger hole for a Fred Thompson or Newt Gingrich to fill.
That being said, Mitt Romney did the best over all. The candidates kept talking about what made President Ronald Reagan great – his unflinching optimism, his unwavering faith in the greatness of America(ns) – and they all laid claim to his legacy, asserting that they could be a Reagan-esque candidate. The only person, however, who channeled that aura was Romney. He was bright, hopeful, and had clearly articulated ideas about what was right with America and what we could build upon. Plus, for a white guy, hair doesn’t get much better than that.
McCain showed his experience, though he appeared nervous at the beginning. He also ruined a great line. After saying, “I’ll follow him [Osama Bin Laden] to the gates of Hell,” McCain flashed a smile showing his pleasure that he had nailed his prepared one-liner. The trick with a one-liner, that is not meant to be funny, is to deliver it naturally, as though it came to you in the normal course of your response rather than rehearsed. He wasted what could have been a terrific clip, played again and again. One refrain that he was very solid on was cutting government spending. If he wins the nomination and if Iraq is on firmer footing (not likely), this could become an appealing mantra.
Giuliani had a very poor performance with the exception of his last statement on terrorism, which was strong and clear. His challenge of wrapping his more Liberal positions in Conservative packaging proved to be a difficult task for him. This is surprising because this obstacle has not come out of left field. He will have to articulate his positions and the nuances therein in a much more clear and succinct way in the debates to follow.
Thompson had the most interesting proposal on Iraq. Brownback, Huckabee, Hunter, Gilmore, and Tancredo were all solid. However, none of them felled a giant and it seems like they might be playing for a V.P. spot or a cabinet post.
The most interesting question for me that MSNBC did a horrible job of showing was who were the candidates that do not believe in Evolution, and there are quite a few of them. You could only see hands, but it was difficult from the shot to identify the believers and non-believers.
All in all, the Democratic Primary last week was much more entertaining because there were not a bunch of posers on stage, claiming to be someone they’re not – Ronald Reagan (can’t wait for the Loyd Benson moment that is sure to come at some point this election cycle). Additionally, the Dems seemed to have more fun and the characters of Kucinich and Gravel provided some very real comic relief. Ron Paul was not nearly so adapt as an outsider shaking things up in way that lightened the room.
What was most shocking about the Republican Party debate tonight at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California was the fact that, with the exception of Congressman Ron Paul, none of the second-tier (and there are only two tiers) candidates attempted to take down any of the big three. Governor Mitt Romney and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani were allowed their previous flip flops, Giuliani was allowed his less-than-conservative credentials, and Senator John McCain was allowed his previous lack of loyalty to the Party. This is much like last week’s Democratic debate, though the Dems displayed not only civility but congeniality. What is odd about the unwillingness of the GOP candidates to go after one-another is that Republicans are unhappy with their candidates currently, which means that giants can and will fall. The top tier – Giuliani, McCain, and Romney – may be reticent to go after each other because if opens a bigger hole for a Fred Thompson or Newt Gingrich to fill.
That being said, Mitt Romney did the best over all. The candidates kept talking about what made President Ronald Reagan great – his unflinching optimism, his unwavering faith in the greatness of America(ns) – and they all laid claim to his legacy, asserting that they could be a Reagan-esque candidate. The only person, however, who channeled that aura was Romney. He was bright, hopeful, and had clearly articulated ideas about what was right with America and what we could build upon. Plus, for a white guy, hair doesn’t get much better than that.
McCain showed his experience, though he appeared nervous at the beginning. He also ruined a great line. After saying, “I’ll follow him [Osama Bin Laden] to the gates of Hell,” McCain flashed a smile showing his pleasure that he had nailed his prepared one-liner. The trick with a one-liner, that is not meant to be funny, is to deliver it naturally, as though it came to you in the normal course of your response rather than rehearsed. He wasted what could have been a terrific clip, played again and again. One refrain that he was very solid on was cutting government spending. If he wins the nomination and if Iraq is on firmer footing (not likely), this could become an appealing mantra.
Giuliani had a very poor performance with the exception of his last statement on terrorism, which was strong and clear. His challenge of wrapping his more Liberal positions in Conservative packaging proved to be a difficult task for him. This is surprising because this obstacle has not come out of left field. He will have to articulate his positions and the nuances therein in a much more clear and succinct way in the debates to follow.
Thompson had the most interesting proposal on Iraq. Brownback, Huckabee, Hunter, Gilmore, and Tancredo were all solid. However, none of them felled a giant and it seems like they might be playing for a V.P. spot or a cabinet post.
The most interesting question for me that MSNBC did a horrible job of showing was who were the candidates that do not believe in Evolution, and there are quite a few of them. You could only see hands, but it was difficult from the shot to identify the believers and non-believers.
All in all, the Democratic Primary last week was much more entertaining because there were not a bunch of posers on stage, claiming to be someone they’re not – Ronald Reagan (can’t wait for the Loyd Benson moment that is sure to come at some point this election cycle). Additionally, the Dems seemed to have more fun and the characters of Kucinich and Gravel provided some very real comic relief. Ron Paul was not nearly so adapt as an outsider shaking things up in way that lightened the room.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Republicans, Be Wary of a President Giuliani: Why a Rudy Presidency Holds Great Risks for the GOP
The most recent Time poll has former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani leading Senator John McCain, 38% to 24% among Republicans. In a January poll McCain led Giuliani by four points. This is very disturbing news for both the McCain and Romney camps, particularly because in the same poll America’s Mayor beats both Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton head-to-head by three and four points, respectively. He is clearly the man to beat among Republicans, and possibly among all candidates in the race.
While Giuliani is perhaps the most formidable general election candidate to square off against the Democrats next November, Republicans should be wary of a Giuliani presidency, and here are just three reasons why:
While Rudolph Giuliani may be the politically expedient choice for GOP voters, and while they may be willing to cede ground on social issues for the retention of the White House for four more years, Republicans should be mindful that Bill Clinton’s popularity was held in check by Republican majorities in both chambers of the Congress for six of his eight years. His popularity did not translate to Democratic success at local levels. The Party was out of power for fourteen years.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
2008 Primary Preview: The Long, Long Sprint
Presidential exploratory committees abound. Candidates, and those who would be candidates, make statements daily. Rallies are held. Pundits speculate. The public scrutinizes. Hopefuls stumble. Presidential primary seasons is underway, so here is a preview of the field on both the Democratic and Republic (take that George Bush) side. I have invited Paloma from bikinipolitics.com (http://www.bikinpolitics.com/ ) to shed her insightful wisdom, like manna from Heaven (she asked that I include the part about manna from Heaven), on the GOP field. Many thanks to her. In the world of politics, reality is ever changing (think: George Allen and Bill Frist would have been on this list just 9 months ago), so take these observations as a snapshot of where things stand today. Most of them will not fundamentally change in the next 6-9 months, but some of them will…
Democrats:
The Big Three:
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hill is the former FLOTUS who would be POTUS. I have never been an HRC naysayer. People argue that she is unelectable, and I argue that she will surprise you. She has the organization, the advisers, and the fundraising machine to intimidate everyone in the race. She is smart and knows policy inside and out. Hillary may also benefit from a type of low expectations. People believe that she is unelectable and will not be able to generate support past a certain point, and that she is wooden and uncompelling on the stump. As she begins to exceed the limited expectations others have for her, she may produce a shock factor, much like Bush did when he did not completely stink in debates against Al Gore in 2000. Being a formidable female candidate will present unique challenges for her male opponents and for her as well. How the media and public will interpret attacks and her reactions to them is an important unknown and could cripple both sides equally. It’s important to note that when Rick Lazio ran against her for Senate in 2000, he suffered for seeming too abrasive. Additionally, a year ago when Republicans pounced on her MLK Day “plantation” remarks, her poll numbers went up. In the end, her biggest challenge may be her last name. The presidency is beginning to get a bit dynastic and there may be a subconscious aversion to having the succession go Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton… Her last name also comes with a famously warm and compelling spouse, who will surely be an asset but may also prove to be a liability. She will not keep him off the stump as Al Gore did in 2000, but this may not in fact work to her benefit. It is another key unknown of her candidacy.
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/
John Edwards
Senator Edwards is running to win the nomination and let the rest be damned. He seems most willing to attack his opponents and he is firmly placing himself as representing the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party this time around. His change from the sunshine candidate to the dems-and-brimstone candidate was abrupt and inelegantly managed, but might yet prove an effective turn of tactic should the media stop writing about how dearly they miss his lovely toothy grin. He has made healthcare and poverty his two big causes and is doing something not heard of often in campaigns – he is pledging to raise taxes (on the wealthy). If Obama is being cast as Bobby Kennedy, Edwards is trying to be J.F.K., stating that American’s will need to make sacrifices to achieve the society they want to see. In 2004 he seemed stary-eyed, but now his mood is a bit more somber, which he is attempting to project as a type of seriousness. Over the next year, he will continue to take advantage of the fact the he is not in the Senate and others are. Like his call on the Senate to refuse to fund the escalation, expect that he makes similar appeals to his former colleagues to make politically difficult if not detrimental votes that nonetheless play well to the base.
http://johnedwards.com/
Barack Obama
Senator Obama is the “rising star” in the Democratic Party and thus finds fertile fundraising soil and a panting, salivating press corps paving the way for his current presidential run. He is the only current front-runner who didn’t vote for the war in Iraq. Plus, he speaks so well. Obstacles in his future may include calls from the left to withhold funds for the President’s escalation/surge. As a candidate, he can deliver a moving speech, is terrific on the stump, and comes across as authentic. He has been likened to Bobby Kennedy in the way he has injected politics with new life. Race will be a hurdle he must overcome, though his positioning as a senator from the Midwest may help in this endeavor. Indeed, Obama may have a hurdle the other way — rather than being “too black,” many now speculate he’s “not black enough” and will have to fight for core Democratic votes in the African-American community. The other big hurdle he will have to overcome is his lack of experience. By inauguration day, 2009, he will have served in the Senate for only 4 years. However, he can argue that despite his inexperience he displayed the judgment the other front-runners lacked when he opposed the war in Iraq. Indeed, one of our nation’s greatest presidents was also a relatively inexperienced leader from Illinois, Abraham Lincoln. Like Obama, Lincoln gained most of his experience in the Illinois state legislature in Springfield, IL (coincidentally where Obama will make his official announcement just 2 days before Honest Abe’s birthday) and only served for two years in D.C. Lastly, it cannot be forgotten that he is so well spoken!
http://www.barackobama.com/
The Rest:
Joe Biden
Joe Biden is one of my favorite senators and one who takes his job extremely seriously. He is smart on issues, particularly in foreign policy, staking out well-thought out (or at least lengthily-verbalized) positions. Indeed, his plans for a political solution in Iraq show some of the deepest thought and analysis made by any in the Senate. He is not a big-time candidate, though, and it is hard to envision a scenario where he breaks in to the big threes' club. That being said, if a Democrat wins in 2008, he would be a terrific Secretary of State candidate, provided that he could bear to be away from home with his wife while his children are asleep and could overcome his malignant, relapsing case of foot-in-mouth disease.
http://www.joebiden.com/home
Democrats:
The Big Three:
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hill is the former FLOTUS who would be POTUS. I have never been an HRC naysayer. People argue that she is unelectable, and I argue that she will surprise you. She has the organization, the advisers, and the fundraising machine to intimidate everyone in the race. She is smart and knows policy inside and out. Hillary may also benefit from a type of low expectations. People believe that she is unelectable and will not be able to generate support past a certain point, and that she is wooden and uncompelling on the stump. As she begins to exceed the limited expectations others have for her, she may produce a shock factor, much like Bush did when he did not completely stink in debates against Al Gore in 2000. Being a formidable female candidate will present unique challenges for her male opponents and for her as well. How the media and public will interpret attacks and her reactions to them is an important unknown and could cripple both sides equally. It’s important to note that when Rick Lazio ran against her for Senate in 2000, he suffered for seeming too abrasive. Additionally, a year ago when Republicans pounced on her MLK Day “plantation” remarks, her poll numbers went up. In the end, her biggest challenge may be her last name. The presidency is beginning to get a bit dynastic and there may be a subconscious aversion to having the succession go Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton… Her last name also comes with a famously warm and compelling spouse, who will surely be an asset but may also prove to be a liability. She will not keep him off the stump as Al Gore did in 2000, but this may not in fact work to her benefit. It is another key unknown of her candidacy.
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/
John Edwards
Senator Edwards is running to win the nomination and let the rest be damned. He seems most willing to attack his opponents and he is firmly placing himself as representing the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party this time around. His change from the sunshine candidate to the dems-and-brimstone candidate was abrupt and inelegantly managed, but might yet prove an effective turn of tactic should the media stop writing about how dearly they miss his lovely toothy grin. He has made healthcare and poverty his two big causes and is doing something not heard of often in campaigns – he is pledging to raise taxes (on the wealthy). If Obama is being cast as Bobby Kennedy, Edwards is trying to be J.F.K., stating that American’s will need to make sacrifices to achieve the society they want to see. In 2004 he seemed stary-eyed, but now his mood is a bit more somber, which he is attempting to project as a type of seriousness. Over the next year, he will continue to take advantage of the fact the he is not in the Senate and others are. Like his call on the Senate to refuse to fund the escalation, expect that he makes similar appeals to his former colleagues to make politically difficult if not detrimental votes that nonetheless play well to the base.
http://johnedwards.com/
Barack Obama
Senator Obama is the “rising star” in the Democratic Party and thus finds fertile fundraising soil and a panting, salivating press corps paving the way for his current presidential run. He is the only current front-runner who didn’t vote for the war in Iraq. Plus, he speaks so well. Obstacles in his future may include calls from the left to withhold funds for the President’s escalation/surge. As a candidate, he can deliver a moving speech, is terrific on the stump, and comes across as authentic. He has been likened to Bobby Kennedy in the way he has injected politics with new life. Race will be a hurdle he must overcome, though his positioning as a senator from the Midwest may help in this endeavor. Indeed, Obama may have a hurdle the other way — rather than being “too black,” many now speculate he’s “not black enough” and will have to fight for core Democratic votes in the African-American community. The other big hurdle he will have to overcome is his lack of experience. By inauguration day, 2009, he will have served in the Senate for only 4 years. However, he can argue that despite his inexperience he displayed the judgment the other front-runners lacked when he opposed the war in Iraq. Indeed, one of our nation’s greatest presidents was also a relatively inexperienced leader from Illinois, Abraham Lincoln. Like Obama, Lincoln gained most of his experience in the Illinois state legislature in Springfield, IL (coincidentally where Obama will make his official announcement just 2 days before Honest Abe’s birthday) and only served for two years in D.C. Lastly, it cannot be forgotten that he is so well spoken!
http://www.barackobama.com/
The Rest:
Joe Biden
Joe Biden is one of my favorite senators and one who takes his job extremely seriously. He is smart on issues, particularly in foreign policy, staking out well-thought out (or at least lengthily-verbalized) positions. Indeed, his plans for a political solution in Iraq show some of the deepest thought and analysis made by any in the Senate. He is not a big-time candidate, though, and it is hard to envision a scenario where he breaks in to the big threes' club. That being said, if a Democrat wins in 2008, he would be a terrific Secretary of State candidate, provided that he could bear to be away from home with his wife while his children are asleep and could overcome his malignant, relapsing case of foot-in-mouth disease.
http://www.joebiden.com/home
Chris Dodd
The senior senator from Connecticut is well-liked and well-versed in all of the issues with decades of experience in D.C. under his belt. Plus, he has the hair of a golden-god. He is not going to rise as a candidate to be reckoned with, however. He would be an interesting choice for Vice President as he would not likely run in four years, should the ticket lose, or in eight, should the ticket win. However, in a field with three overwhelming stars, he’s the unknown with the most to gain, giving him the opportunity to launch himself nationally, should his personal blandness not prove too great an obstacle.
http://www.chrisdodd.com/
The senior senator from Connecticut is well-liked and well-versed in all of the issues with decades of experience in D.C. under his belt. Plus, he has the hair of a golden-god. He is not going to rise as a candidate to be reckoned with, however. He would be an interesting choice for Vice President as he would not likely run in four years, should the ticket lose, or in eight, should the ticket win. However, in a field with three overwhelming stars, he’s the unknown with the most to gain, giving him the opportunity to launch himself nationally, should his personal blandness not prove too great an obstacle.
http://www.chrisdodd.com/
Dennis Kucinich 
The elfish Dennis Kucinich will try to run on liberal credentials as the only candidate to have voted against the Iraq War, but it is difficult to imagine a scenario where he creates a real challenge to the big three. Edwards is running to the left of left and has apologized for his vote. Obama was publicly against the war since 2002, a fact he will continue to remind voters throughout the process. And HRC is moving steadily leftward on the war, and may have apologized for her vote as well by the time the Iowa Caucuses roll around.
http://www.denniskucinich.us/
The elfish Dennis Kucinich will try to run on liberal credentials as the only candidate to have voted against the Iraq War, but it is difficult to imagine a scenario where he creates a real challenge to the big three. Edwards is running to the left of left and has apologized for his vote. Obama was publicly against the war since 2002, a fact he will continue to remind voters throughout the process. And HRC is moving steadily leftward on the war, and may have apologized for her vote as well by the time the Iowa Caucuses roll around.
http://www.denniskucinich.us/
Bill Richardson 
The governor of New Mexico and first strong Hispanic candidate for president is one who could break into the big three’s club (although he is a bit saddened that Senator Biden did not refer to him as articulate, clean, etc.). He just finished a successful term as Chair of the Democratic Governor’s Association and enjoyed a reelection victory. He has one of the broadest and deepest backgrounds of any candidate (Democrat or Republican) currently running. He served in Congress for 14 years, was ambassador to the United Nations, was the Secretary of Energy, and is currently in his second term as New Mexico’s governor. The mix of federal, state, legislative, administrative, foreign, and domestic roles gives him the most diverse resume. For these reasons, and because of his geographic location and ethnic heritage, he may also become an appealing Vice Presidential candidate should he not succeed in getting the Party’s nomination. Assuming, of course, he can put his campaign financial transactions of dubious legality firmly in his past.
http://www.richardsonforpresident/.
Tom Vilsack
Former Governor Vilsack is positioned well for the Iowa Caucuses, having served as that state’s governor for eight years. He understands the process and the people very well and they know him. That being said, he will have to overcome the hurdle of being seen as a small-time candidate without a legitimate shot (Iowa caucus voters have a streak of pragmatism to them, one of the reasons why Dean lost in 2004). If not, he may find it difficult to have success in his home state, and if he does not do well in the first caucus, he is all but dead in the water. That said, Vilsack is a compelling speaker who comes across as earnest, honest and plain-spoken (which sometimes is the same as boring) and unlike many front-runners, is a Washington outsider. Should congressional Democrats commit any major legislative gaffes, his distance from these issues may make him an effective “third way.” While he may not be the nation’s next president, do not be surprised to find him as a cabinet secretary in a Democratic administration, agriculture or commerce perhaps as he aptly performed his duties as governor of the Hawkeye state.
http://www.tomvilsack08.com/
X-Factor:
Al Gore
Now an elder statesman, Al Gore is the one candidate in the Democratic field who could significantly reshape the race. He is the star of the Oscar nominated “An Inconvenient Truth” and has been nominated for a Nobel Peace prize this year. He is the standard-bearer for the cause of global warming and many look at him much differently than they did eight years ago. He has also amassed a sizeable personal wealth from his stock in Google (all those who claimed he didn’t invent the internet, who’s laughing now?). With experience, smarts, an ability to fundraise, and a new found stardom, Gore is the X-factor on the Democratic side. It’s unlikely, though, that he will enter the race if he isn’t certain of his chances to win the nomination.
Republicans:
The Big Three:
Rudy Giuliani
This coy candidate seems to have made up his mind about seeking his party's nomination for president. He has well-known liberal positions on hot button conservative issues such as abortion, and his fading image as America’s Mayor might not warm primary voters’ hearts sufficiently to outweigh their concerns that he’s too liberal. There are also the string of marriages and assorted police questions (Diallo? Louima?). Though these obstacles might be too much for a candidate of his advancing years, Giuliani does have a warm and affable personality and national name ID working in his favor. Giuliani is currently leading in the polls against his GOP contenders and would be a formidable general election candidate. If he emerges as the nominee, thereby overcoming his lack of some important social-conservative credentials, the GOP will have made a definitively pragmatic choice, making concessions on certain issues to retain the White House for at least four more years. It’s a tough sell that for Giuliani, the best is yet to come, but who knows? Maybe we’re all ready to fall in love with America’s Mayor once more.
http://www.joinrudy2008.com/
John McCain
John McCain is a longtime senator and war hero, a darling of the Washington press corps, and maybe even other press corpses too. He has accomplished the difficult feat of convincing the media he’s much more moderate than he really is, branding himself as a perennial “maverick” by periodically talking tough to his own party. His support in the press corps, his national renown, and his moderate cred are all formidable assets. However, this has also alienated some core conservatives, who find his double-talking repelling. A McCain strategy counts on his attracting a large number of moderates. Another important part of his strategy would include McCain keeping his legendarily fiery temper under wraps, and off camera. At a very early stop in New Hampshire in 2006, McCain could barely control himself in a town hall when faced with irate questioners. How will he fare in a no-holds-barred campaign? McCain’s temper, his age, and his lack of a conservative base may all harm him in a Republican primary.
http://www.exploremccain.com/
Mitt Romney
Governor Romney is the man who makes everyone ask if we’re ready for a Mormon president. Romney hails originally from the corporate world, and made public-private solutions a hallmark of his tenure as governor. Romney has gained accolades across the aisle for his innovative solution increasing health care coverage in Massachusetts, but he came under fire in his home state (perilously close to New Hampshire) for being out of town so obviously and so often. In a conservative primary, he might also suffer for being the governor from “Taxachusetts.” He’s well-spoken and photogenic, but his late arrival to the social conservative section of the party will certainly be fodder for attacks from his opponents. Clips from his 1994 Senate campaign against one Ted Kennedy where Romney affirmed his support of a woman’s right to choose may prove particularly harmful in the age of youtube and other such mass media avenues of dissemination. Romney has been hard at work honing sections of what looks like a stump speech, and perhaps this long practice will serve him well in overcoming his obstacles to the nomination. However, if he doesn’t make it to the nom, his square-jawed looks, non-fiery persona and businessman cred make him a natural for the veep slot.
http://www.mittromney.com/
The Rest:
Sam Brownback
Sam Brownback’s conservative credentials are impeccable, which will help him in a Republican primary. However, his bipartisan tendencies might endear him to moderates more than his conservatism might suggest. For example, Brownback is not wholly in favor of capital punishment, has voted in favor of immigration reform, and opposes President Bush’s troop surge. Brownback has taken early and public stances on emotional issues such as sex trafficking, the genocide in Darfur, and abortion, which will help in niche fundraising efforts. A devout Christian who converted to Catholicism in 2002, he is comfortable talking about his faith and God, an asset on the campaign trail. Outside of his home state and Washington DC, Brownback is a relative unknown and has a long road to go to make a name for himself nationally. Does this very model of a modern Christian senator have the chops to make a run for it nationwide? Some aregue thatt if the Christian right does not coalesce around one of the big three (mainly McCain or Romney), Brownback may see his fortunes in the Primary rise, but he will have to out compete the former governor of Arkansas to be the religious-right’s standard bearer. However, the coattails of the so-called religious right might not be as long as they once were, if this conservative constituency once again doesn’t feel inspired to turn out (as they didn’t in 2006).
http://www.brownback.com/
Jim Gilmore
This army veteran has competition for the “conservative” slot in the Republican primary field, but he brings his experience as governor to the mix, where Hunter brings less clear executive cred as a congressman. Gilmore is nationally unknown, and it remains to be seen whether he can differentiate himself from the other “conservative” candidates.
The governor of New Mexico and first strong Hispanic candidate for president is one who could break into the big three’s club (although he is a bit saddened that Senator Biden did not refer to him as articulate, clean, etc.). He just finished a successful term as Chair of the Democratic Governor’s Association and enjoyed a reelection victory. He has one of the broadest and deepest backgrounds of any candidate (Democrat or Republican) currently running. He served in Congress for 14 years, was ambassador to the United Nations, was the Secretary of Energy, and is currently in his second term as New Mexico’s governor. The mix of federal, state, legislative, administrative, foreign, and domestic roles gives him the most diverse resume. For these reasons, and because of his geographic location and ethnic heritage, he may also become an appealing Vice Presidential candidate should he not succeed in getting the Party’s nomination. Assuming, of course, he can put his campaign financial transactions of dubious legality firmly in his past.
http://www.richardsonforpresident/.
Tom Vilsack
Former Governor Vilsack is positioned well for the Iowa Caucuses, having served as that state’s governor for eight years. He understands the process and the people very well and they know him. That being said, he will have to overcome the hurdle of being seen as a small-time candidate without a legitimate shot (Iowa caucus voters have a streak of pragmatism to them, one of the reasons why Dean lost in 2004). If not, he may find it difficult to have success in his home state, and if he does not do well in the first caucus, he is all but dead in the water. That said, Vilsack is a compelling speaker who comes across as earnest, honest and plain-spoken (which sometimes is the same as boring) and unlike many front-runners, is a Washington outsider. Should congressional Democrats commit any major legislative gaffes, his distance from these issues may make him an effective “third way.” While he may not be the nation’s next president, do not be surprised to find him as a cabinet secretary in a Democratic administration, agriculture or commerce perhaps as he aptly performed his duties as governor of the Hawkeye state.
http://www.tomvilsack08.com/
X-Factor:
Al Gore
Now an elder statesman, Al Gore is the one candidate in the Democratic field who could significantly reshape the race. He is the star of the Oscar nominated “An Inconvenient Truth” and has been nominated for a Nobel Peace prize this year. He is the standard-bearer for the cause of global warming and many look at him much differently than they did eight years ago. He has also amassed a sizeable personal wealth from his stock in Google (all those who claimed he didn’t invent the internet, who’s laughing now?). With experience, smarts, an ability to fundraise, and a new found stardom, Gore is the X-factor on the Democratic side. It’s unlikely, though, that he will enter the race if he isn’t certain of his chances to win the nomination.
Republicans:
The Big Three:
Rudy Giuliani
This coy candidate seems to have made up his mind about seeking his party's nomination for president. He has well-known liberal positions on hot button conservative issues such as abortion, and his fading image as America’s Mayor might not warm primary voters’ hearts sufficiently to outweigh their concerns that he’s too liberal. There are also the string of marriages and assorted police questions (Diallo? Louima?). Though these obstacles might be too much for a candidate of his advancing years, Giuliani does have a warm and affable personality and national name ID working in his favor. Giuliani is currently leading in the polls against his GOP contenders and would be a formidable general election candidate. If he emerges as the nominee, thereby overcoming his lack of some important social-conservative credentials, the GOP will have made a definitively pragmatic choice, making concessions on certain issues to retain the White House for at least four more years. It’s a tough sell that for Giuliani, the best is yet to come, but who knows? Maybe we’re all ready to fall in love with America’s Mayor once more.
http://www.joinrudy2008.com/
John McCain
John McCain is a longtime senator and war hero, a darling of the Washington press corps, and maybe even other press corpses too. He has accomplished the difficult feat of convincing the media he’s much more moderate than he really is, branding himself as a perennial “maverick” by periodically talking tough to his own party. His support in the press corps, his national renown, and his moderate cred are all formidable assets. However, this has also alienated some core conservatives, who find his double-talking repelling. A McCain strategy counts on his attracting a large number of moderates. Another important part of his strategy would include McCain keeping his legendarily fiery temper under wraps, and off camera. At a very early stop in New Hampshire in 2006, McCain could barely control himself in a town hall when faced with irate questioners. How will he fare in a no-holds-barred campaign? McCain’s temper, his age, and his lack of a conservative base may all harm him in a Republican primary.
http://www.exploremccain.com/
Mitt Romney
Governor Romney is the man who makes everyone ask if we’re ready for a Mormon president. Romney hails originally from the corporate world, and made public-private solutions a hallmark of his tenure as governor. Romney has gained accolades across the aisle for his innovative solution increasing health care coverage in Massachusetts, but he came under fire in his home state (perilously close to New Hampshire) for being out of town so obviously and so often. In a conservative primary, he might also suffer for being the governor from “Taxachusetts.” He’s well-spoken and photogenic, but his late arrival to the social conservative section of the party will certainly be fodder for attacks from his opponents. Clips from his 1994 Senate campaign against one Ted Kennedy where Romney affirmed his support of a woman’s right to choose may prove particularly harmful in the age of youtube and other such mass media avenues of dissemination. Romney has been hard at work honing sections of what looks like a stump speech, and perhaps this long practice will serve him well in overcoming his obstacles to the nomination. However, if he doesn’t make it to the nom, his square-jawed looks, non-fiery persona and businessman cred make him a natural for the veep slot.
http://www.mittromney.com/
The Rest:
Sam Brownback
Sam Brownback’s conservative credentials are impeccable, which will help him in a Republican primary. However, his bipartisan tendencies might endear him to moderates more than his conservatism might suggest. For example, Brownback is not wholly in favor of capital punishment, has voted in favor of immigration reform, and opposes President Bush’s troop surge. Brownback has taken early and public stances on emotional issues such as sex trafficking, the genocide in Darfur, and abortion, which will help in niche fundraising efforts. A devout Christian who converted to Catholicism in 2002, he is comfortable talking about his faith and God, an asset on the campaign trail. Outside of his home state and Washington DC, Brownback is a relative unknown and has a long road to go to make a name for himself nationally. Does this very model of a modern Christian senator have the chops to make a run for it nationwide? Some aregue thatt if the Christian right does not coalesce around one of the big three (mainly McCain or Romney), Brownback may see his fortunes in the Primary rise, but he will have to out compete the former governor of Arkansas to be the religious-right’s standard bearer. However, the coattails of the so-called religious right might not be as long as they once were, if this conservative constituency once again doesn’t feel inspired to turn out (as they didn’t in 2006).
http://www.brownback.com/
Jim Gilmore
This army veteran has competition for the “conservative” slot in the Republican primary field, but he brings his experience as governor to the mix, where Hunter brings less clear executive cred as a congressman. Gilmore is nationally unknown, and it remains to be seen whether he can differentiate himself from the other “conservative” candidates.
Chuck Hagel
Chuck Hagel is quite handsome, but he’s also quite short. He has yet to develop into a compelling stump speaker, and although he has thrown rocks at the Bush administration from time to time, he has failed to create a “maverick” reputation with the press. He’s a serious force on international issues of defense and foreign policy and would make an unsurprising choice for either of these cabinet-level positions in a Republican administration. He is also the loudest and most compelling GOP voice in the Congress against the war. If an anti-war fervor takes hold in the Republican primaries, this war veteran may find himself in a good position.
Chuck Hagel is quite handsome, but he’s also quite short. He has yet to develop into a compelling stump speaker, and although he has thrown rocks at the Bush administration from time to time, he has failed to create a “maverick” reputation with the press. He’s a serious force on international issues of defense and foreign policy and would make an unsurprising choice for either of these cabinet-level positions in a Republican administration. He is also the loudest and most compelling GOP voice in the Congress against the war. If an anti-war fervor takes hold in the Republican primaries, this war veteran may find himself in a good position.
Mike Huckabee
Huckabee ran the 2005 Little Rock Marathon wearing the number 2008, beating fellow ’08 hopeful Gov. Vilsack by 50 minutes. This governor is famous for shedding pounds, but still has to convince Republicans he’s a heavyweight who can play on the national stage. Huckabee is on the conservative side of several issues, and his previous career before politics was as a pastor in several Southern Baptist churches. He was named one of the nation’s top five governors by Time magazine in 2005, but even this accolade hasn’t given him a national reputation. However, the Republican field isn’t crowded with celebrities, giving this Republican a good shot to make a name for himself as the “other” Arkansas governor and “man from Hope.”
Huckabee ran the 2005 Little Rock Marathon wearing the number 2008, beating fellow ’08 hopeful Gov. Vilsack by 50 minutes. This governor is famous for shedding pounds, but still has to convince Republicans he’s a heavyweight who can play on the national stage. Huckabee is on the conservative side of several issues, and his previous career before politics was as a pastor in several Southern Baptist churches. He was named one of the nation’s top five governors by Time magazine in 2005, but even this accolade hasn’t given him a national reputation. However, the Republican field isn’t crowded with celebrities, giving this Republican a good shot to make a name for himself as the “other” Arkansas governor and “man from Hope.”
http://www.explorehuckabee.com/site/PageServer
Duncan Hunter
This California congressman brings a good geographical footprint to the bottom of the ticket, should he occupy the veep slot. He’s a bit of a one-hit-wonder thus far, focusing primarily on border security issues. His presence in the debate will keep the dialogue on the hot-button topic of immigration more to the right than perhaps the big three would like. It will be interesting to see how they respond to Hunter’s position, one that is located in the mainstream of conservative thought on security issues but may (or may not) be out of step with conservative primary voters on the issue of reform. In the coming months, it will be interesting to see whether he can develop a broader issues profile or whether he remains focused and campaigns hard for the second slot on the ticket.
Duncan Hunter
This California congressman brings a good geographical footprint to the bottom of the ticket, should he occupy the veep slot. He’s a bit of a one-hit-wonder thus far, focusing primarily on border security issues. His presence in the debate will keep the dialogue on the hot-button topic of immigration more to the right than perhaps the big three would like. It will be interesting to see how they respond to Hunter’s position, one that is located in the mainstream of conservative thought on security issues but may (or may not) be out of step with conservative primary voters on the issue of reform. In the coming months, it will be interesting to see whether he can develop a broader issues profile or whether he remains focused and campaigns hard for the second slot on the ticket.
http://www.gohunter08.com/Home.aspx
Tommy Thompson
Tommy Thompson himself occasionally forgets he has ever done anything of note. Seeing if he can remind the voters should be fun. By fun I mean funny. In earnest though — Thompson is a serious politician who has a deficit of name ID, and the accomplishments he would likely point to are at this point getting a little dusty. His most recent accomplishment of note is the slightly bizarre VeriChip, an implanted RFID chip that holds medical records. Though he has advocated for it quite publicly, he has yet to get one himself.
http://www.tommy2008.com/Home.aspx
Tommy Thompson
Tommy Thompson himself occasionally forgets he has ever done anything of note. Seeing if he can remind the voters should be fun. By fun I mean funny. In earnest though — Thompson is a serious politician who has a deficit of name ID, and the accomplishments he would likely point to are at this point getting a little dusty. His most recent accomplishment of note is the slightly bizarre VeriChip, an implanted RFID chip that holds medical records. Though he has advocated for it quite publicly, he has yet to get one himself.
http://www.tommy2008.com/Home.aspx
X-Factor:
Newt Gingrich
Newt has said he won’t decide whether he’s running until October, absolving himself of the responsibility of fundraising, and defending his past record, until then. However, Newt has unimpeachable conservative cred, is a brilliant public speaker, and might just be one of the finest political minds of our time. Maybe. With candidates like McCain and Giuliani expected to raise in the area of $100 million this year, it is still unclear that in October, Newt will be able to overcome such a large fundraising deficit. But if none of the big three emerges as the clear front-runner, and a conservatives are still waiting to be moved, he may be able to capitalize on unmet demand in the market. Time will tell.
Newt Gingrich
Newt has said he won’t decide whether he’s running until October, absolving himself of the responsibility of fundraising, and defending his past record, until then. However, Newt has unimpeachable conservative cred, is a brilliant public speaker, and might just be one of the finest political minds of our time. Maybe. With candidates like McCain and Giuliani expected to raise in the area of $100 million this year, it is still unclear that in October, Newt will be able to overcome such a large fundraising deficit. But if none of the big three emerges as the clear front-runner, and a conservatives are still waiting to be moved, he may be able to capitalize on unmet demand in the market. Time will tell.
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