I wouldn't be too sure of that yet. Can't predict anything two-and-a-half years out, but who were people talking about for the 2000 nomination in 1997?
Dole and Powell! Great point!
That's an interesting question. In 1996, a local (now regionally-syndicated in OH, WV, and PA) talk show host by the name of Jim Quinn (Quinn and Rose in the Morning, www.warroom.com) said - and I quote: "The next president of the United States will be George W. Bush, the governor of Texas." That was right after the 1996 election.
To be fair, I had no idea, but I thought Bush had as good a shot as anyone and better than most.