No, he doesn't. Many credible presidential candidates weren't in office at the time they ran, though they had served previously. GHWB wasn't in office in 1980. Reagan wasn't in office in 1980. Walter Mondale wasn't in office in 1984. Paul Tsongas wasn't in office in 1992. Lamar Alexander wasn't in office in 1996. Bill Bradley wasn't in office in 2000.
Edwards is focused. You don't get to where he got in life without being focused. He's focused on becoming president. He can do that with 6 years under his belt as a senator. He's unlikely to win the nomination, but even if he does and loses-- he'll be seen as a sacrificial lamb; not a poor candidate. He can raise money for his run in 2008 and set up his nationwide organization. He can donate money to politicians and collect chits. He can give speeches on public policy. He'll run as the experienced Southern outsider-- like Carter and Clinton.
My number one target would be S Carolina. Fritz( the Gv that put that flag on the capitol) will be 82 on election day. He should retire. Open seats in Bush Country are a great place to start.
Is Zell going to retire? or switch?Ga is a Bush state!!!
Blanche Lincoln should be a target. Freshman, Bush state(+5),inexpensive media, plus the party has to do a lot of work at the grass roots and elect some state legislators.
I think Jennifer Dunn would have an excellent chance of knocking off Murray in Washington St.
Finegold made himself a target lasttime by not accepting PAC $ and Barely won.
Bush won ND by 28pts Dorgan can be beaten by the repub Guv. Can Pomeroy also be beaten?
20,000 republicans bought the keep Daschele the Majority leader crap in SD. Now they dont have that excuse. The feds will be watching the resevations very closely. Maybe Tom will take a lucrative lobbying job?Maybe he can take McCain with him.