The First Campaign.

In related news, John Kerry currently leads the fundraising race among Democrats, although the as-yet-unannounced Dick Gephardt is relatively close. Like Daschle, I’d think Gephardt would serve the party better as a much-needed progressive flak, taking the heat off more viable candidates like Kerry and Edwards. But Gephardt has desired the Presidency for so long that I doubt he’ll let the race pass him by this time.

Leaders of the Pack.

It ‘s now looking like Senators John Edwards of North Carolina and Tom Daschle are both in for 2004. Edwards seems like an ok candidate due to the Southern thing, but Daschle? I like Daschle, but I’m not sure this is a very good idea. Sure, he’ll probably win the not-so-crucial South Dakota primary hands down, but what does he bring to the table that’s not already offered by the other three Senators in the hunt? I guess we’ll see.

Byrd-Hunting.

Drudge is trying his damnedest today to get a Lott-size stink brewing around Robert Byrd for his Confederate cameo in Gods and Generals. As I mentioned a few months ago, I do think this is a bit strange, but hardly in the league of Lott openly advocating segregation in his capacity as majority leader.