2008 Presidential Aspirants

More than any election in recent memory, the 2008 presidential election is wide open with no clear standard bearer for either major party. This has resulted in an incredible number of politicians believing they have a chance. I've probably missed some, but I'll list below everyone I've seen considering a run. There are over ten on each side. It is a fact of political life that to have any chance at winning a party's nomination a candidate needs to secure massive amounts of campaign funds. So many of the people I'm going to list will drop out of the race once they realize that the serious money is committed elsewhere. Regardless, here is an early list of potential candidates for each party.
Democrats:
Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) - Perceived front runner.
Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) - He's the only one who doesn't know that people just don't like him.
Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) - You never know what he'll say. Last year, he claimed he could appeal to southern voters because his state of Delaware was a slave state. Good luck running on that platform.
Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) - Opposed John Bolton for the U.N. ambassador out of concern for Cuba. Good luck selling that position.
Gov. Tom Vilsack (D-IA) - Has been quietly building support.
Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) - Former two term governor of Indiana. May be more formidable in the general election than primary.
Sen. Barak Obama (D-IL) - First term senator. One positive from his presence in the campaign is it reduces the likelyhood of the race baiting clowns (Sharpton/Jackson) getting in the race.
Gov. Bill Richardson (D-NM) - Like Bayh, Richardson wouldn't be lumped in with the extremists. Unfortunately for him that won't play in a primary.
Former VP Al Gore (D-TN) - The anti-internal combustion engine candidate.
Former Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) - The anti-Walmart candidate. Attacking Walmart may work with the online Dem activists and with the unions, but that's about it.
Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) - Has the tin foil hat vote sewn up.

Republicans:
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) - Media favorite until he gets the nomination.
Sen. Bill Frist (R-TN) - Has stated he will not run. Good call.
Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) - Conservative candidate. He needs to increase his name recognition, but he is well poised to jump to the front if people remember why McCain is unacceptable (Anti-First amendment McCain/Feingold legislation and the anti-law enforcement McCain/Kennedy immigration bill).
Former Mayor Rudy Guiliani (R-NY) - In New York he is considered a right winger. In middle of country his positions are considered to be more in line with the other party
Gov. George Pataki (R-NY) - Probably won't run if Guiliani does.
Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA) - Well positioned as the outsider. Articulates conservative views well.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty R-MN) - Narrow reelection victory probably ends his chances in 2008.
Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-AR) - Best known for losing a lot of weight.
Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NB) - I can best demonstrate my disdain for Hagel by declaring I would sooner vote for Hillary Clinton than Hagel.
Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) - Probably much better suited for the job than most with much better odds of winning.
Former Gov. Tommy Thompson (R-WI) - Has executive experience on state and federal level (HHS).
Former Rep. Newt Gingrich (R-GA) - Brightest mind on the political landscape. Most vilified potential presidential candidate since Richard Nixon.
Former Rep. Bob Dornan (R-CA) - Only running because he thinks the perceived front runners (McCain & Guiliani) should not represent the Republican party.
Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice (R-CA) - Says she is not interested in running.

Confused/Independent:
Mayor Michael Bloomberg (NYC) - Billionaire mayor of New York City. Was a Democrat until he decided he wanted to be mayor and saw the Republican primary would be easier to secure. His nanny state form of socialism has him further to the left than most Democrats in my view.

Well, that is around 25 potential candidates and there are probably a dozen I failed to list. If you are aware of anybody who has expressed any interest in running leave their name in the comments section and I'll update this post.