SOME NOTES FROM THE 2008 PRESIDENTIAL FILE IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T HEARD

The St. Petersburg Times political blog The Buzz notes that the Republican Governors Association is holding it's Annual Conference this week in South Florida, and of course Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is not letting this opportunity pass to schmooze his fellow chief executives to gain their support for a likely 2008 presidential run.

Also taking advantage to meet and greet is U.S. Senator John McCain (R - AZ), who is considered by many to be the frontrunner at this early point among Republicans looking to occupy the Oval Office. He hosted a reception last evening in Coral Gables for the GOP governors.

Earlier this week, Senate Majority Leader Dr. William H. "Bill" Frist (R - TN) announced he would not run for president in two years, saying he would keep a promise to serve only two terms in the Senate and return home to Tennessee and take a sabbattical from public life. The conservative lawmaker said that in the short term, he would resume his regular medical mission trips around the world, and that he may eventually resume his medical practice.

And it's obvious that Retired NATO Supreme Commander General Wesley Clark is considering another run for the presidency in 2008. In an interview earlier this week with the Associated Press, Clark said he wants to avoid waiting too long to make a decision as was the case in 2004. He entered the Democratic presidential hunt in September, 2003, only four months before the first votes were cast. His only victory in 14 primaries and caucauses was in Oklahoma. Clark was active during the recent election cycle as his WesPAC organization assisted a number of federal and statewide candidates including Democratic Congressman-elect Tim Mahoney in the 16th District.

I supported Wesley Clark two years ago, and would certainly consider supporting him again in 2008 should he decide to run. But IMHO he would need to make a decision very soon and actually get started putting together a campaign and getting on the road to regain some of the name recognition he has lost among the electorate since 2004. Plus, he'll likely be running against some big name candidates such as U.S. Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (D - NY) and possibly Barack Obama (D - IL). It'll definately be a tough climb.