I caught-between innings of Rangers/Angels- Mark Shields commnets on Next president keynote speeches. MS had a lsit from Kennedy to Luger of 12 or more people in both parties who would be the next president and they did not even make it to the nomination.
Interesting. Can you recall any of the "sure-things" who never made it? Ironically, one keynote speaker (I think he was the keynote) who DID make it was Bill Clinton, despite the fact that his interminable speech was universally panned.
That's not very useful. Lugar has never been an exciting speaker. Kennedy was hurt by killing a woman. X42 did give the keynote in 1988, however. And Harold Ford, Jr. still has a very bright future. Frist's seat could easily go to him in 2006 (TN elects Dems plenty of times statewide and in lesser races-- and if Bush wins, he'll be hit with the 6 year itch).