Presidential Power Rankings # 16

April 18, 2007

Democrats:

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

No changes from last week, but a couple days ago, John Kerry naturally could not avoid the urge to flip flop as to whether he might actually get into the race. If he inches any more in that direction, he will probably earn the right to knock the continuing low-profile of Wesley Clark off the list.

Republicans:

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

One fairly significant jump this week, but I do not know how much it would really matter. Frankly, as long as Newt Gingrich ultimately does not run, anyone below four on this list is just there as window dressing.

National horse race polls may not mean too much, but it does certainly appear that Tommy Thompson is getting better numbers than both Brownback and Huckabee, who both probably have to be disappointed by their lack of movement, even at this early stage. Tommy Thompson is investing heavily in Iowa and he may also benefit from being one of the only mid-major to top tier GOP candidate who sort of goes his own way on Iraq. While that position is certainly not in the majority among Republicans, it probably does help him fill a vacuum though among those who are a little more skeptical about the continuing involvement in Iraq.

Plus, Tommy Thompson recognizes the Jewish tradition of making money and some people may confuse him with Fred.

So, congrats T-Tom on moving all the way up from 8 to 5. But the Packers still suck.