Here's one man's view of the 08 Democratic Party field. I also want to say, up front, that there's no need to even worry about the Republic Party field; they will not win in 08.

Let's start with the top tier candidates:

Hillary Clinton: She *will* announce and she *could* could win - both the primary and the general election. She has the name ID and the capacity to raise more money than God. Yes, she's polarizing, but she'll win the women's vote and the minority vote and that will be enough to get her to White House. I also happen to think she'll make a good president. I also happen to think we can do better. Her history of triangulation is not a favorable trait. Neither is her still mostly undisavowed vote for the IWR. I can forgive her that, however, since, as a woman, she likely has to appear 'stronger' than men need to. Sexism, like racism, is alive and well. Odds to win the whole magilla: Very Good

John Kerry: He wants to run, but I'm not sure he will. While I honestly think every other 04 primary contestent is all the better and all the stronger in 08 for the experience, Kerry is the exception. He was badly damaged by the campaign and the baseless slurs and attacks, but, sad to say, it stuck. And fair or not, the attacks continue to this day and they continue to work. He may well have won in 04, and there's no doubt he would have made a great president, but its just not in the cards anymore. Odds to win the whole magilla: Poor

Barak Obama: Today's rock star will be tomorrow's old news. The media seem to be setting him up much as they did to Howard Dean in 04. Say what you will and believe what you will, he will not go far due entirely to a 'thin resume'. The upside is that he's young and **very** appealing. No matter what happens this go-round, he's got many years to campaign for the top job ... and I think he'll get it. But that won't be this cycle. Odds to win the whole magilla: Fair

Al Gore: This is the horse to beat. No doubt about it. If he decides to run, he will be President in January of 2009. Take that to the bank. Where Kerry is still carrying a lot of baggage from 04, President Al has totally changed his calculus. He has the resume to beat all resumes - 8 years in each house of Congress and 8 years in the halls of power. If you need bona fides, this guy's got 'em in spades. Further, he's not nearly as liberal as he is outspoken, and that's appealing to the masses and the base. He's shown he has the capacity to lead even when he's out of office and even when he was out of favor. If he wins that Academy Award, its all over but the balloon drop. And here's a tasty, albeit totally speculative, tidbit ..... remember when he endorsed Howard Dean early on? Was there a pact made back then? Unfortuantely, I believe him when he says he's not running. I also believe the door's open just a crack. Odds to win the whole magilla, should he choose to run: Beyond excellent.

John Edwards: I find him largely unscathed by the 04 cycle and his role in it. He's the same appealing guy now that he was then, but with more experience. I saw him on a recent Hardball episode and found him to be more confident, more widely spoken, more self-assured, more well-rounded. He also has the absolutely perfect first lady to be in Elizabeth. And we all know as sure as the sun will come up that he's running. Odds to win the whole magilla: Very Good

Second tier candidates with a real shot at the brass ring:

Joe Biden: While he's not my cup of tea - or espresso, or even flat soda - he's well spoken and very skilled in foreign policy. And make no mistake, foreign policy will trump domestic issues in 08. When Windy Joe gets wound up, he can deliver barn burner speeches. But the hair plugs and the still unforgotten/unforgiven plagarism thing is hanging over him. That and, well, he just doesn't wear well. Odds to win the whole magilla: Fair at best

Bill Richardson: Creds out the wazoo and a reasonable sounding way of speaking will carry him pretty far if he chooses to run. He's an Hispanic that even the xenophobes can support. His downside is that he's just not all that exciting. And he may be too conservative for the base. Odds to win the whole magilla: Fair to good

Wesley Clark: Yeah, I know - no name recognition outside the Internets. I see that as a plus. He'll appear to be coming on again and coming on strong. If Iraq is still the Mess in Potamia it is today - and there's no reason to think it won't be, or maybe even worse - then his stock goes up even more. Now, the other thing about him is his now-years-long gig on Fox Newz. He's maybe better known in oppostion households than he is to the Democratic base. Of all our possible candidates, he probably has the most cross-over appeal. No one can question his creads in foreign policy. And who is more qualified as Commander in Chief? His hardest task will be to win over the Democratic base. if he can do that, he can go all the way. Odds to win the whole magilla: Very Good to Excellent

Tom Vilsack: Tom who?? Sorry, Tom. Maybe some other time. Odds to win the whole magilla: Virtually nil.

Evan Bayh: See the entry for Tom Vilsack, rinse, repeat.

Dennis Kucinich: I like Dennis. I really do. He'll bring to the 08 campaign what he brought to the 04 cycle - good debate and fresh ideas. But we all know, no matter how much we might like him, that he has no chance to break even 5%. Odds to win the whole magilla: Poor

The 'are you kidding me' tier:

That Guy From Alaska: Hahahahahahahaha.

Reverend Al: I don't think he'll bother this time. But if he does, we're in for hours of entertainment by what turns out to be one very smart man. I think he raised the debate stanbdards in 04 and would welcome his involvement in the 08 cycle. Say what you will about him and his history, he's a credible speaker on many issues. But does he have a chance? Nope. That snowball in Hell has a better chance.

Kathleen Sebelius: Her name even being on this list is rank speculation. There's not a hint that she's running. I don't think she will. And if she did, there's very loittle chance of her winning a single primary.

Janet Napolitano: Same calculus as for Gov. Sebelius.

Brian Schweitzer: He says he's not running and I think that will be the final outcome. Would he like to run? Probably. but let him finish a term first. For this cycle? Ain't happening.

Phil Bredeson: He'll never win over the base.

Mike Easley: Same as Bredeson, he'll never win over the base of the party.

Anyway, that's how I see things today. I don't think anything will change very much before late next year. by then the field will be pretty well sorted out and it will be a horse race. Right now, the horses ares till in the pasture, no matter **what** the media say.

And as for a sure fire winning team: Sticky Sez: Gore/Clark 08. That's not Stinky's personal favorite ticket, but it is the one that will win in a landslide.