It's about that time when rumors of fundraising progress start leaking to the press, but I've seen or heard nothing. Weird.
Last rankings: 1) Dean, 2) Clark, 3) Gephardt, 4) Edwards, 5) Lieberman, and 6) Kerry.]
1. Howard Dean
Two new polls give him the Iowa lead, though narrowly. Has started fundraising for the first of what promises to be many congressional candidates, helping Dean take on the role of party builder and breaking down many of the institutional barriers to his candidacy (more on this in a later post).
Has weathered the "controversies" over his draft board deferment and sealed records. The guy is teflon. And, despite public proclamations that they want a Dean nomination, the GOP is now running to Vermont to try and stem Dean's momentum.
2. Wesley Clark
Finally has a campaign manager, and he's a good one. Poll numbers are steady, and he may or may not be leading in SC, depending on the poll. And he really, really needs a win in SC.
I'd kill for info on his fundraising progress, but chances are his efforts are second only to Dean's.
3. Dick Gephardt
Advantage in Iowa polls has been erased. And as everyone knows, Gep has to win Iowa or he's toast. Still, Dean's "lead", if any, is microscopic. I suspect we'll see several more lead changes heading into the caucus.
4. John Edwards
Edwards spends a lot of money, and has little to show for it. He is probably tied with Clark in SC, and while the nice-guy thing is nice, it can't last. Edwards needs to shore up his SC support, and he's got Clark firmly in the way.
5. Joe Lieberman
Still leads in a bunch of the 'sleepier' states (those with no major campaign efforts by the field). Is close to the top in many other polls.
Of course, the more people see of him, the more support he loses. But the poll numbers are enough to keep him relevant.
6. John Kerry
Campaign strife threatens to sink him. He is the only major candidate to have zero clean leads in any state, and would apparently lose his own home state badly. Not a lot of good news for Kerry as of late.
7. The others
They exist.