DON’T look now, but the 2008 U.S. presidential election race has bolted out of the starting blocks, almost 22 months before voters head to the polls.
Observers say this could be the longest – and, at estimates ranging up to $1 billion US, most expensive – presidential election campaign in American history. For the first time in 80 years, no incumbents will be running. That means a wide-open field of candidates – front-runners, interesting possibilities, long shots and dreamers – from both major parties are, officially or not, eyeing a run for a seat in the world’s most powerful office.
With embattled President George W. Bush stepping down after two terms, and Vice-President Dick Cheney declaring emphatically that he will not run, Republicans can offer no obvious heir apparent.
