All this talk about presidential ambitions of late, as well as the straw polls has got me thinking... Perhaps the best way to gauge preference is through a system of polls instead of a giant one.
So here's the idea. Create several categories that resemble various sections of the democratic party. I'd suggest the following: True Moderate, Centrists, Progressive, Far Left, Labor, Socially Conservative, and Libertarian. For fun we can also do a 'fantasy' classification for fictional or historic characters. Some of these categories may have very few candidates in them, but bear with me. The next step is to assign the 15-100 potential candidates to these groupings. That's were you come in kosmopolitans.
I need you to toss out names of candidates, people who could, people who want, and people you'd like to see run for president in 08. And they don't necissarily have to be elected officals (aka Wesley Clark and Lance Armstrong). But for them to be included in this system, you must classify them into one of the groups and give good reasons. Because I don't know every thing about all potential candidates, I can't be guessing for you.
But let's help you out, shall we? Here's a basic classification system with examples.
True Moderate - I'd say Harry Reeid would fit here (correct me if I'm wrong of course). He might have some social conservative things about him, but the thing that would make him a True Moderate is his reliance of offsetting the extermists on the right instead of moving for personal agenda. True Moderate means, moderation, not extermism.
Centrists - Those that might hang out in the area defined as the political center but rely more on compromise and cooperation with the right. Lieberman probably fits here.
Progressive - I know I might be biased here, but Dean would probably fit here. Moving forward for a better tomorrow in a pragmatic and well thought out fashion are the halmarks of our progressive group.
Far Left - Candidates that want to have a chance and thus don't become out right Greens or Socialists. Kucinich comes to mind on this one. Care to help out?
Labor - Oi, I can't get away from the 04 challengers can I? Gephart might be the example here then. Strong ties to labor unions and a fanatical devotion to them fits here.
Socially Conservative - A candidate that would both subscribe to leftist economic policy as well as be in line socially with the sterotype of evangelical christians who voted for Bush. Think Zell Miller.
Libertarian - No government, no taxes, no fat chicks... whoops, channeling a quote from Murphy Brown there... But any way, less government interference types. Though I don't know much about him, I'm guessing Montana Governor Schwitzer would fit here.
Now I turn the floor over to you. Feel free to give suggestions on categories or better definitions in addition to candidate suggestions. If I get enough candidates in each group, I'll go about doing a series of straw polls for each category. Once winners have been found for each group, I'll then post a final poll matching the winners against each other.