Presidential Power Rankings # 30

July 25, 2007

Democrats:

1. Hillary Clinton (1)
2. Barack Obama (2)
3. John Edwards (3)
4. Bill Richardson (4)
5. Al Gore (5)
6. Joe Biden (6)
7. Chris Dodd (7)
8. Dennis Kucinich (8)
9. Mike Gravel (9)
10. Wesley Clark (10)

No changes again this week, but I wrestle where Biden and Dodd ought to be positioned, relative to each other. Obviously, both of the veteran Senators remain longshots, but Dodd is being said to be running a more quietly effective campaign than Biden and is doing a lot better on the fundraising front than his talkative Delaware colleague. However, when it comes to the spotlight of debates, Biden seems to impress people (even though they may never vote for him), and Dodd sort of mixes into the background.

Republicans:

1. Mitt Romney (1)
2. Rudy Giuliani (3)
3. Fred Thompson (2)
4. John McCain (4)
5. Mike Huckabee (5)
6. Newt Gingrich (6)
7. Sam Brownback (7)
8. Tommy Thompson (8)
9. Tom Tancredo (10)
10. Ron Paul (new)

The one change is that I have moved Giuliani back ahead of Fred Thompson, into the number two spot. National polls seem to have Giuliani either ahead or basically tied with Thompson for the lead (while both men continue to trail Mitt Romney in Iowa and New Hampshire.) Furthermore, people are starting to wonder just how long Fred can avoid officially jumping into the race. Yesterday’s news of staff turnovers, by some reports related to difficulty of those staffers getting along with Mrs. Jeri Thompson, could be a sign of at least some turmoil in that nascent campaign.

Finally, be sure to check the blog on July 30, for the my next entry, which will both be the 200th post, and the one year anniversary of this venture!