[LincolnLover]

Notice the majority of serious Dem candidates (with the exception of Dean) in 2004 held or had held federal office (or, in Wes Clark's case, had substantial military experience).

My point? As long as foreign policy and national security remain at the forefront of most voter's minds, it's going ot be very difficult for a governor with zero foreign policy, defense policy or national security experience to break through.

[pratherdc]

I certainly see your point, but Mark Sanford did hold federal office for three terms (six years) in the U.S. House of Representatives and served on the International Relations Committee during his tenure in the House.