2008 Presidential Hopefuls Test Waters

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In the course of three short months, the political system has come full circle: a presidential campaign, an inauguration, a State of the Union address and now this — another presidential race. A dozen or so ambitious Republicans and Democrats already are warming up for 2008.

Former Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards is taking on poverty and showing off a new stump speech. Republican Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts has donated more than $250,000 to GOP causes, collecting political IOUs while planning visits to early voting states. Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana is hiring veteran operatives and talking up donors.

No list could be made without mentioning Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. — two political Goliaths who cannot make a move without being accused of presidential posturing.

"Many, many people on both sides will spend the next couple of years putting themselves in a position so they can decide whether or not to run," Bayh adviser Anita Dunn said. "If two years from now, you're just getting started on building a political team, two things will happen: All the top talent will be gone and, more importantly, you'll start out with a team that's not cohesive," she said.

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