Free-for-all

Virginia Gov. Mark Warner is taking the first steps toward a potential 2008 presidential run by putting together a federal political action committee to raise campaign money. The Democrat is also considering whether to oppose U.S. Sen. George Allen, R-Va., another potential White House contender, next year, according to The Washington Post.

The field of 2008 presidential candidates will be a crowded one. On the Republican side, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has started barnstorming in Iowa and New Hampshire, and U.S. Sens. Sam Brownback of Kansas, Bill Frist of Tennessee, John McCain of Arizona, and Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania have given early indications that they're interested in the top job. Other leading contenders include Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, and Govs. Jeb Bush of Florida, Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, and Bill Owens of Colorado.

U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., has emerged as the early frontrunner for the Democrats' presidential nod, but her nomination is far from inevitable. In addition to Warner, former U.S. Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina would like a shot at the White House. Meanwhile, current U.S. senators mentioned in connection with the race include Evan Bayh of Indiana, Joe Biden of Delaware, Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, and, yes, John Kerry of Massachusetts. Other possible candidates are retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark and Govs. Janet Napolitano of Arizona, Bill Richardson of New Mexico, and Brian Schweitzer of Montana.

As the plethora of names suggests, the next three years of politicking should be fun to watch.