[BluH2o]

I give you John Edwards and Al Gore 1988, just off the top of my head.

1988? Don't recall Edwards or Gore being a factor at all that year, certainly not to the extent that they put away their parties presumptive nominee (Hildabeast)as Obama did ... especially in light of the fact she began campaigning within a week, or two, after Bush started his second term.

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

"1988? Don't recall Edwards or Gore being a factor at all that year"

Gore was a factor in 1988, and was the one I was referring to for that year. Poor phrasing on my part. Gore was green before it was cool, and with an ardent following in '88. Dropped out after Super Tuesday, IIRC. As to Edwards, 2004 was the year he, as rookie who hadn't completed his first term (and had hardly been present during it), was definitely a factor in the primary race, becoming the VP nominee.