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Below you can use this audio device to listen to the interview with the person that you see shown in the picture above.
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CLICK HERE to see the Letter that I am sending all of the 2008 Presidential Candidates to ask them how I can send money to the troops.
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES FOR 2008
DEMOCRATIC PARTY:
BIOGRAPHICAL FACTS: POLITICAL: New Castle County Councilman, 1970-72. US Senator, 1973 - present (elected 1972; re-elected 1978, 1984, 1990, 1996, 2002). Candidate for President, 1988 (withdrew before first primary). PROFESSIONAL: Attorney (practiced law: 1968-72). Adjunct Professor, Widener University School of Law, 1991 - present. EDUCATION: B.A. (History/Political Science), University of Delaware, 1965. J.D., Syracuse University College of Law, 1968. PERSONAL: Born November 24, 1942, in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Married to Jill Jacobs Biden. Three children. Roman Catholic. STATUS: ANNOUNCED CANDIDATE. Senator Joe Biden has repeatedly stated in media interviews he is a candidate for President in 2008. He is hoping his high profile as Chair of US Senate Foreign Relations Committee will enable him to break into the first tier of Democratic candidates.
JoeBiden.com - Official Campaign Site. OFFICIAL CONTACT INFORMATION:
Unite Our States PAC
Retired Army General Wesley K. "Wes" Clark (Arkansas)
STATUS: POSSIBLE CANDIDATE. Retired NATO Commander Wes Clark, a late entry into the 2004 Presidential race, vows to make a decision on the 2008 contest by early 2007. Related links: WesPAC (Clark's Leadership PAC), America Needs Wes Clark (Grassroots Supporters), DraftWesleyClark.com (Grassroots Supporters), 2008 Presidential Wire: Wes Clark (News Aggregator), and Wesley Clark: War Criminal (Negative Site).
US
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton STATUS: ANNOUNCED CANDIDATE. As has long been expected, Senator Hillary Clinton announced in January 2007 she will be a candidate for President in 2008. Most pundits view her as the early frontrunner. She is strong in early polls and is an incredibly strong fundraiser. Edwards and Obama appear her most serious initial rivals, while the rest of field each jockeys to emerge as "the strongest alternative to Hillary Clinton." BIOGRAPHICAL FACTS: POLITICAL: First Lady of Arkansas, 1979-81 and 1983-93. First Lady of the US, 1993-2001. US Senator, 2001 - present (elected 2000, 2006). PROFESSIONAL: Attorney. Author. Congressional Aide. EDUCATION: B.A., Wellesley College, 1969. J.D., Yale University, 1973. PERSONAL: Born October 26, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois. Married to former President Bill Clinton. One child. Methodist. LINKS:
Hillary Clinton for President - Official Campaign
Site. OFFICIAL CONTACT INFORMATION:
Hillary Clinton for President Committee
US Senator
Christopher J. "Chris" Dodd STATUS: ANNOUNCED CANDIDATE. Senator Chris Dodd announced his candidacy in January 2007, and starts well back in the second tier of hopefuls. Dodd believes he has ideas to offer, based on his decades of experience on Capitol Hill. BIOGRAPHICAL FACTS: POLITICAL: US Congressman, 1975-81 (elected 1974, 1976, 1978). US Senator, 1981 - present (elected 1980, 1986, 1992, 1998, 2004). PROFESSIONAL: Attorney. US Army Reserve, 1969-75. Peace Corps Volunteer, 1966-68. EDUCATION: B.A. (English Literature), Providence College, 1966. J.D., University of Louisville School of Law, 1972. PERSONAL: Born May 27, 1944, in Willimantic, Connecticut. Married to Jackie Clegg Dodd. One child. Catholic. Son of US Senator Thomas J. Dodd (D-CT). LINKS:
Chris Dodd for President - Official Campaign Site. OFFICIAL CONTACT INFORMATION:
Chris Dodd for President
STATUS: ANNOUNCED CANDIDATE. Former Senator John Edwards announced his candidacy in December 2006, and got off to a fast start. Early polls immediately placed Edwards in the first tier of frontrunnuers (along with Senators Clinton and Obama). Some early polls even gave Edwards the lead in some key early contest states. Edwards focuses his message on the need to eliminate poverty in America and quickly ending the Iraq War. BIOGRAPHICAL FACTS: POLITICAL: US Senator, 1999-2005 (elected 1998). Candidate for President, 2004 (lost in the primaries). Democratic nominee for Vice President, 2004. PROFESSIONAL: Attorney. EDUCATION: B.S., North Carolina State University, 1974. J.D., University of North Carolina, 1977. PERSONAL: Born June 10, 1953 in Seneca, South Carolina. Married to Elizabeth Anania Edwards. Four children (one deceased). Methodist. LINKS:
John Edwards for President - Official Campaign Site. OFFICIAL CONTACT INFORMATION:
One America Committee
Former US Senator Maurice R. "Mike" Gravel STATUS: ANNOUNCED CANDIDATE. Former US Senator Mike Gravel represented Alaska for two-terms in DC until his primary renomination defeat in 1980. Gravel first burst onto the national stage in 1971 when he read into the official record at a Senate sub-committee hearing the confidential "Pentagon Papers" detailing the secret history of US military involvement in Vietnam. His one-man filibuster in 1971 is credited with being almost solely responsible for forcing the compromise with the Nixon White House that ended the military draft. Long-since forgotten by most activists in the 26+ years since his defeat, Gravel has since moved to Virginia. Although running as a peace candidate, Gravel's campaign seems mainly to be a publicity device for his beloved "citizen power" national initiative concept to let voters regularly approve/reject federal legislation on key issues. BIOGRAPHICAL FACTS: POLITICAL: Alaska State Representative, 1962-66 (elected 1962, 1964). Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives, 1965-66. Candidate for US Congress, 1966. US Senator from Alaska, 1969-81 (elected 1968, 1974; unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1980). Candidate for Vice President, 1972 Democratic Convention (226 delegates - 3rd place - 7.5%). Founder & President, Democracy Foundation and National Initiative for Democracy non-profit groups. PROFESSIONAL: Author. Real estate developer. US Army, 1951-54. EDUCATION: B.S. (Economics), Columbia University, 1956. PERSONAL: Born May 13, 1930, in Springfield, Massachusetts. Married to Whitney Stewart Gravel. Two children, three grandchildren. Unitarian. Moved to Virginia in the 1990s. LINKS:
Mike Gravel for
President - Official Campaign Site. OFFICIAL CONTACT INFORMATION:
Hon. Mike
Gravel
STATUS: ANNOUNCED CANDIDATE. Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) announced in December 2006 he will make a second "peace candidate" run for President in 2008. Kucinich is staking out his positition as the most liberal of the candidates in the race (although his pro-choice credentials are questionable). BIOGRAPHICAL FACTS: POLITICAL: Cleveland City Councilman, 1970-75 and 1983-85; Democratic nominee for Congress, 1972; Cleveland Clerk of Municipal Courts, 1975-77; Mayor of Cleveland, 1977-79 (elected in 1977; defeated for re-election in 1979); State Senator, 1995-97; US Congressman, 1997-present (elected in 1996, re-elected in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006). Candidate for President, 2004. PROFESSIONAL: Radio talk show host, 1979 & 1989; Lecturer, 1980-83; Energy Consultant,1986-94; TV News Reporter, 1989-92. EDUCATION: Attended Cleveland State University, 1967-70. B.A. & M.A., Case Western Reserve University, 1973. PERSONAL: Born October 8, 1946, in Cleveland, Ohio. Married to Elizabeth Harper (2005). Twice Divorced. One daughter. Catholic. LINKS:
Kucinich for President Committee
- Official Campaign Site. OFFICIAL CONTACT INFORMATION:
Kucinich for President
STATUS: ANNOUNCED CANDIDATE. Senator Barack Obama filed paperwork for an exploratory committee in January 2007, and will make his full-fledged entry into the race in February. Although he was only elected to the US Senate in 2004, his charisma, message, intelligence and eloquence have vaulted him to the first tier of candidates. BIOGRAPHICAL FACTS: POLITICAL: Illinois State Senator, 1997-2005 (elected 1996, 1998, 2002). Candidate for Congress, 2000. US Senator, 2005 - present (elected 2004). Keynote Speaker, 2004 Democratic National Convention. PROFESSIONAL: Attorney. Author. Senior Lecturer, University of Chicago Law School, 1993-2004. Executive Director, Illinois Project Vote, 1992. Director, Developing Communities Project, 1985-88. Financial Analyst, 1983-84. EDUCATION: B.A. (Political Science), Columbia University, 1983. J.D. magna cum laude, Harvard Law School, 1991. PERSONAL: Born August 4, 1961, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Married to Michelle Robinson Obama. Two children. United Church of Christ. LINKS:
Barack Obama Presidential Exploratory Committee -
Official Campaign Site. OFFICIAL CONTACT INFORMATION:
Obama Exploratory Committee
BIOGRAPHICAL FACTS: STATUS: EXPLORATORY CANDIDATE. Governor Bill Richardson announced his Presidential candidacy in January 2007. Although he is now a state executive, he clearly misses his days of dealing with foreign policy matters as a Congressman and the US Ambassador to the United Nations. Nominated four-times for the Nobel Peace Prize, Richardson is certainly the only US Governor who conducts his own foreign policy by flying to Africa trying to broker peace in Darfur, etc. Half-Mexican (his mother), Richardson can count on strong support in early states from Hispanic voters. POLITICAL: Candidate for Congress, 1980. US Congressman, 1983-97 (elected 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996). US Ambassador to the United Nations, 1997-98. US Secretary of Energy, 1998-2001. Governor of New Mexico, 2003-present (elected 2002, 2006). Chairman, 2004 Democratic National Convention. Chairman, Democratic Governors Association, 2006. Nominated four times for the Nobel Peace Prize. PROFESSIONAL: Congressional Aide, 1971-78. International Business Consultant, 1978-82. EDUCATION: B.A. (French/Political Science), Tufts University, 1970. M.A., Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy (Tufts Univ.), 1971. PERSONAL: Born November 15, 1947, in Pasadena, California. Married to Barbara Flavin Richardson. Catholic. LINKS:
Richardson for President - Official Campaign Site. OFFICIAL CONTACT INFORMATION:
Governor Bill Richardson
Rev. Alfred C. "Al" Sharpton Jr. (New York) STATUS: POSSIBLE CANDIDATE. Civil rights activist Al Sharpton said in January 2007 he was considering making a second run for President in 2008. "I don't hear any reason not to. If we're talking about the urban agenda, can you tell me anybody else in the field who's representing that right now? We clearly have a reason to run, and whether we do it or not we'll see over the next couple of months," he explained. Sharpton previously ran for President in the 2004 primaries. Related links: Al Sharpton Show (TV talk show); and National Action Network (Sharpton's civil rights organization).
OTHER DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES:
Warren R. Ashe (Virginia) STATUS: ANNOUNCED CANDIDATE. Warren Ashe, who previously was a candidate for President in 2000 and 2004 (but failed to compete in any primaries), filed FEC paperwork to make a third run in 2008. From the information he filed with Project Vote Smart in 2004, Mr. Ashe is one of the more eccentric candidates in the race. Ashe claimed he holds a doctorate degree from North Carolina State University. Then again, Ashe also claims to have been "President, United Nations, 1973-2003 ... Appointed President, United States White House, 1981-2003 ... Candidate, United States President, 2000 ... Vice President, West Wing - Carter Administration, 1977-1981 ... [and] Vice President, West Wing - Ford Administration, 1973-1977." He also claims to be a Navy veteran, an Army veteran AND an Air Force veteran. And he writes he owns a $40 million corporation, too. Yeah, right. Related link: SETI: President Warren R. Ashe.
STATUS: ANNOUNCED CANDIDATE. Randy Crow -- a small businessman and former realtor -- was an unsuccessful candidate for the Wilmington City Council in 1997. Then he ran for Congress in the 1998 primary (losing by a vote of 94% to 6%) ... then he ran for President in the 2000 primaries (he got on the ballot in New Hampshire and Louisiana) ... then he ran another losing primary for Congress later in 2000 (losing by a 93% to 7% vote) .. then he lost for Council again ... then he finished last place (9th - 1%) in the 2002 US Senate primary ... and then he ran for President again in 2004. Crow was on the 2004 primary ballot in New Hampshire (15th place - 60 votes) and Texas (10th place - 0.8% - 6,319 votes). He withdrew from the Presidential race in March 2004 -- ran another race for County Commissioner -- then announced he will run for President again in 2008. In an email to Politics1 in 2000, Crow explained his motives: "I am involved in politics to get rid of filthy communists and lots of others." He also believes the FBI blew up TWA Flight 800 with a laser and was likely involved in crashing Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan's 2000 campaign plane. On his website, Crow repeatedly expresses open hatred towards Jews (Example: "Vietnam was a zioni$t manipulated War designed to kill our Christian kids and install na$i communi$t zioni$m in the Vietnam region"). Most of the contents of Crow's site, however, appear to be rambling conspiracy tirades against various envisioned enemies: "It has been 13 years since the FBI fessed up to the fact they were investigating me. All my files are classified ... In 1994 the Federal Force manipulated a bunch of mess which questioned my sanity ... I think the Force had some weird blood work done on me or possibly put a computer chip in me." Crow was upset that we quoted these various passages from his '04 site so he subsequently printed an amusing screed denouncing Politics1 as a "zioni$t" tool out to destroy him (he even attacked us for referring to him above as -- gasp -- a "former realtor" because, he notes, he only dabbled in real estate in the past). Oh, we forget to mention that Crow has a "hunch ... [I] may be The Returning Christ ... I do believe firmly that in a way whether or not I am The Returning Christ is a non event and do not worry about it at all, except I do pray that if I am The Returning Christ I would like to be the coolest, greatest, most fantastic Returning Christ in the history of the Universes." By 2005, he pretty much answered his own question by releasing an Easter Message from the Returning Christ. Yup, you can read that and lots, LOTS more writings like this on his official website: Randy Crow - Democrat for President.
STATUS: ANNOUNCED CANDIDATE. Except for the fact that contractor Laura Davis-Aaron filed paperwork with the FEC to run for President, little else is known about this 2008 Democratic hopeful. She lost a 2005 special election primary for an open State Senate seat (9th place - 1%), then filed for an open Congressional seat in 2006 but quit well before the primary. No website yet.
STATUS: ANNOUNCED CANDIDATE. Except for the facts that Michael Forrester has filed FEC paperwork to run for President in 2008 and has launched a campaign website, we cannot tell you much about this candidate. The website is filled with lots of photos of the candidate but the bio section is without any info. His platform is also rather sparse: repeal the "No Child Left Behind" law, raise the minimum wage, and guarantee health care for all Americans. Related link: Michael Forrester for President.
STATUS: EXPLORATORY CANDIDATE. Dan Francis served 20 years in the US Marine Corps -- rising from private to first lieutenant -- until his retirement in 1979. Over those years, he served two tours in Vietnam, was wounded three times in combat, and was awarded the Silver Star. Since leaving the Marines, he earned AA, BA and Master's degrees in education and has worked as a teacher. He was previously a candidate for Congress in 1992 and 1994. Related links: Dan Francis for President (campaign site) and Defining Leadership 2008 (Francis' campaign blog).
STATUS: ANNOUNCED CANDIDATE. Except for the fact that Alfonzo Jones filed paperwork with the FEC to run for President -- just as he did in 1996, 2000 and 2004 -- no other info was known about this 2008 Democratic hopeful. No website yet.
STATUS: ANNOUNCED CANDIDATE. John Joseph Kennedy was a registered write-in candidate for President in 2004 in Georgia, Indiana and Texas. On his campaign website, he describes himself as "an outstanding community leader, humanitarian, champion of children's rights, environmentalist, motivational speaker, entrepreneur and a man of extraordinary vision." Kennedy is a freelance writer, marketing executive and former model. He explains his motives for running on his campaign site: "I have now been called to serve God and my country as the TRUE DEMOCRAT CANDIDATE for the Presidency, to right the wrongs of America!" Kennedy sees the 9/11 attacks as an "inside job" directed by the Bush Administration as a pretext for launching the war on terrorism ("It's an inside job! At the highest level on down, I will see that those who are really responsible for the insidious acts of terrorism in our country, and around the world, be prosecuted to the fullest extent of all domestic and international laws."). In 2004, Kennedy went so far as to blame Bush policies for hurricanes and other natural disasters. "I will stop the Bush family's manipulation of the elements of nature (hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes) which have wrecked insurmountable havoc on our environment and disturbed the natural-flow of all life on this planet. They (especially Bush Sr.) have done this for personal, political and financial gain and greed," explained Kennedy. Related link: John Joseph Kennedy for President.
STATUS: ANNOUNCED CANDIDATE. Long haul truckdriver and Vietnam War veteran Karl Krueger is running for President on a platform of promoting energy independence for the US. "I intend to put this nation on a course to be energy independent within 10 years of my election. After all, John Kennedy took us to the moon and back in 10 years with technology that didn’t exist when he began, it should not be too difficult for us to become energy independent in the same amount of time using technology that we already have," he explained. Krueger was previously a Democratic nominee for Congress in Wisconsin against a GOP incumbent in 1988. Related link: Karl Krueger for President.
STATUS: ANNOUNCED CANDIDATE. Chemical engineer Sal Mohamed lost Democratic primary contests in Iowa for Congress in 2004 and Governor in 2006 -- but he does start the race with some minimal name identification in that early contest state. Mohamed's primary campaign tactic in his past Iowa runs could be described as low tech/low cost: walking around wearing "sandwich board" signs and waving signs at busy intersections. He launched his Presidential campaign just one month after losing the '06 gubernatorial primary. Mohamed's campaign theme is "Human Decency will Prevail," which is backed by his call for having millions of US consultants held promote economic development of poor nations, place US national interests ahead of personal interests, narrowing the gap in the US between rich and poor, developing an exit strategy for Iraq, and "taking politics out of our lives and putting science in." Unfortunately for Mohamed, he was born in Egypt and became a naturalized US citizen in 1983 -- meaning he is constitutionally barred from being President. Related link: Sal Mohamed for President.
STATUS: ANNOUNCED CANDIDATE. Campaigning under the slogan of "Love is the Doorway In," Jim Prattas describes himself as "a poor ignorant soul who is just an artist, healer and disabled combat Vietnam veteran living on a stipend ... [and] uneducated and ignorant a compared to most of my fellow citizens." His unusual campaign website is decorated with his original art works throughout the various pages. His autobiographic story -- from his 2000 campaign site -- told of near death experiences (including meeting God and seeing angels), meeting celebrities, his fights with the US military after being wounded in Vietnam, death threats against him by the Hawaiian Mafia, a plot by President G.H.W. Bush's friends to have him arrested when he wanted to challenge Bush in the 1992 race, his past use of marijuana, his divorce, and more. When he ran in 2000 as a Republican, he did not qualify for any primaries. In 2004, as a Democrat, the same thing happened again. He's back for a third run in 2008, and this time he thinks he may be able to qualify for at least one primary ballot. Related link: Jim Prattas for President.
STATUS: ANNOUNCED CANDIDATE. Ole Savior, an eccentric artist and poet, has been a frequent candidate in Minnesota over the years for many federal, state and local offices. He usually finishes around the back the of the pack with 1% -- but he keeps running year after year. His top three concerns were a "nuclear-free world, [ending] world hunger, and better education for all mankind." His favorite movie is The Terminator, his favorite TV show is X-Files and his favorite book is the Bible's Book of Revelations. If elected, he promises to "create a new and more peaceful world for the next generation of children." He previously filed FEC paperwork for the 2004 race, but failed to qualify for any Presidential primary ballots. He filed paperwork in 2006 to make a second White House run. Related link: Ole-Savior.org.
US Senator Evan Bayh (Indiana) Evan Bayh had a great resume for a 2008 Presidential hopeful: US Senator, former two-term Indiana Governor, former Keynote Speaker at the Democratic National Convention, former Chair of the centrist Democratic Leadership Council, a telegenic family, etc. He set up a leadership PAC in 2005-06 and campaigned around the nation on behalf of local Dems. With much fanfare, Bayh launched his Presidential exploratory committee in early December 2006. He hired some top staffers, scheduled fundraising events and launched a new campaign swing to key states. Then, only two weeks later, he quit the race. Most media reports said the sudden emergence of Barack Obama as Hillary Clinton's perceived main rival for the nomination during those intervening weeks significantly contributed to Bayh's decision. "The odds were always going to be very long for a relatively unknown candidate like myself ... The fact remains that at the end of the day, I concluded that due to circumstances beyond our control the odds were longer than I felt I could responsibly pursue," explained Bayh. BIOGRAPHICAL FACTS: POLITICAL: Secretary of State of Indiana, 1987-89 (elected 1986). Governor of Indiana, 1989-97 (elected 1988 and 1992). Keynote Speaker, 1996 Democratic National Convention. US Senator, 1999 - present (elected 1998, 2004). Co-Founder, New Democratic Coalition, 2000. Chair, Democratic Leadership Council, 2001-05. PROFESSIONAL: Law Clerk to US District Judge James Noland, 1981-85; Attorney (practiced law: 1985-86 and 1997-98). EDUCATION: B.S. (Business Economics), Indiana University, 1978. J.D., University of Virginia, 1981. PERSONAL: Born December 26, 1955, in Shirkieville, Indiana. Married to Susan Breshears Bayh, a law professor. Two children. Episcopalian. Son of former US Senator Birch E. Bayh (D-IN), a 1972 and 1976 Presidential candidate. LINKS:
All America PAC - Bayh's Leadership PAC. OFFICIAL CONTACT INFORMATION:
All America PAC
THE EVAN BAYH LIBRARY: From Father to Son: A Private Life in the Public Eye by Evan Bayh (2003) - Evan Bayh used to this book to write about the political tradition in the Bayh family that ran from his father to himself. Bayh recounts his life in the national spotlight with affection and candor. He covered all the highlights of his ongoing career in government: from his father's US Senate campaigns and a sleep-over in the Lincoln Bedroom during the Johnson Administration, to delivering the Keynote address at the 1996 Convention (a moment he shared with his young twin sons). Bayh also used the book to promote a piece of legislation in Congress he touts as "The Responsible Fatherhood Act." This book never received much attention and showed up in few bookstores - but you can find it online. List: $24.99. Your Price: $21.24 (You Save 15%).
Governor Philip N. "Phil" Bredesen (Tennessee) Wealthy businessman and Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen was mentioned in several reports in 2004-05 as a possible White House hopeful. Although he won a landslide re-election in 2006 in a "Red State," Bredesen announced in December 2006 he would not run for President in 2008. Bredesen said he "would love to be considered" for President if there were a movement for a centrist Southern Governor to run again in the future, but that he would not run in 2008. Related links: Office of Governor Phil Bredesen (official government site) and Bredesen for Governor (official 2006 campaign site).
Former US Senate Majority Leader Thomas A. "Tom" Daschle (South Dakota) STATUS: Former US Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle -- who was narrowly defeated for re-election in 2004 -- spent much of 2006 looking like a likely 2008 White House candidate. He made frequent trips to early contest states, raised money for local Dem candidates, and launched a leadership PAC. "I've made a decision that I will not seek the Presidency of the United States. I've had a lot of encouragement and I've been very gratified to have the encouragement from within the state and around the country," he announced in December 2006. A number of factors reportedly played into Daschle's decision, including concerns about the ability to raise the estimated $50 million needed for a successful run for the Presidential nomination. Related links: New Leadership for America PAC (Daschle's leadership PAC); and Alston & Bird: Tom Daschle (Daschle's law firm).
Democratic National Chairman Howard B. Dean III (Vermont) Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean energized the 2004 Presidential race with his dynamic use of the Internet to build a national movement. The frontrunner for much of Fall 2003, his campaign collapsed under a withering barrage of negative TV spots in the final days before the Iowa caucuses. Still, Dr. Dean provided the party with a feisty message and the backbone to oppose President Bush in 2002-03 period, when nearly all of the other Democrats in the race appeared to timid to criticize the Iraq war. Dean's campaign also attracted tens of thousands of young voters -- the so-called "Deaniacs" -- to become politically active for the first time. Once Dean ended his campaign, he quickly endorsed nominee John Kerry and campaigned energetically for the national ticket in the general election. The "Dean for America" (DFA) campaign quickly morphed into Democracy for America (DFA 2.0) -- a large national organization of progressive activists. Dean's Blog for America (official) site also remains active. Net activists (including this website) worked with grassroot party activists after Kerry lost the 2004 race to draft Dean for Democratic National Committee Chairman. After a few weeks of meetings with party activists and leaders, Dean jumped into the contest and -- despite tactit opposition from Clinton and Kerry loyalists -- was elected DNC Chair. During the DNC campaign, Dean promised he would not run for President in 2008 if he won the DNC Chair race. Despite the continuing enthusiasm of the Deaniacs for another White House bid in '08 -- the "50-State Strategy" success he presided over in the 2006 elections -- Dean repeatedly says he will keep his promise and not run in 2008. A sampling of the many unofficial Deaniac site would include Dean Nation, Truth and Hope, Dean Port, Gnet/Grassroots Network TV, Take Your Country Back, Thank You Howard, Dean Photos and Out for Democracy. Other related links: Wikipedia: Howard Dean (online resource) and JFK Library: Howard Dean - Profile in Courage.
US Senator Russell D. "Russ" Feingold (Wisconsin) US Senator Russ Feingold -- an early P2008 favorite of progressive netroots activists -- announced in November 2006 he will not be a candidate for President in 2008. Feingold had traveled to 17 states over the preceeding two years on behalf of lots of local Dem candidates, had already launched his own leadership PAC, and raised over $2 million, all in preparation of a possible White House run. With the Democrats returned to majority status in the Senate with the 2006 elections, Feingold quickly decided he preferred to stay active in the Senate rather than run for President. He explained: "I relish the thought that in this new Congress we can start, not only to undo much of the damage that one-party rule has done to America, we can actually advance progressive solutions to such major issues as guaranteed healthcare, dependence on oil, and our unbalanced trade policies ... we need to stand up for a strong, principled Democratic party that is willing to replace timidity with taking the risks of promoting a platform of bold solutions to our nation's problems. ... I'm sure a campaign for President would have been a great adventure and helpful in advancing a progressive agenda. At this time, however, I believe I can best advance that progressive agenda as a Senator with significant seniority in the new Senate serving on the Foreign Relations, Intelligence, Judiciary and Budget Committees." He also said he would not initially endorse another candidate in the race: "The first choice would be somebody who voted against this unfortunate Iraq war. That may not be available. Second choice is somebody who at least said it was a bad idea ... I would be happy if [Senator Barack] Obama or [former Vice President Al] Gore ran." BIOGRAPHICAL FACTS: POLITICAL: Wisconsin State Senator, 1983-93 (elected 1982, 1986, 1990). US Senator, 1993 - present (elected 1992, 1998, 2004). PROFESSIONAL: Attorney (practiced law: 1979-85). EDUCATION: B.A., University of Wisconsin, 1975. B.A. (Rhodes Scholar), Oxford University, England, 1977. J.D. with honors, Harvard University Law School, 1979. PERSONAL: Born March 2, 1953, in Janesville, Wisconsin. Twice divorced. Two children. Jewish. LINKS:
Progressive Patriots Fund PAC - Feingold's Leadership
PAC. OFFICIAL CONTACT INFORMATION:
Progressive Patriots Fund
Former Vice President Albert "Al" Gore Jr. (Tennessee) Former Vice President Al Gore -- the 2000 Democratic nominee for President who won more total popular votes than the ultimate "winner" of the race -- was frequently mentioned as a prospect for the 2008 race. Despite the wide speculation, Gore made it clear in March 2005 that he will not be a candidate for President in 2008. According to MSNBC's Chris Matthews, Gore let the early word out of his disinterest leak out "to end speculation about a campaign that will never occur." In fact, Gore has stated he does not plan to ever again seek political office. Instead, he wants to focus on his environmental activism and building a national, l |
