Don't Forget the Unsung Candidates

But Dean, Carter and even the history of Pierce make me wonder which of the lesser-known presidential hopefuls will make a similar move in the 2008 election season, if any.

The last two Democratic presidents were both governors: Carter and Clinton. They shared obscure poll numbers at this point in the election cycle. Only one Democratic governor has entered the 2008 race: Bill Richardson of New Mexico.

Richardson faces a loaded presidential field with hardened campaigners -- Sen. Hillary Clinton (D., N.Y.), former senator John Edwards and a popular newcomer, Sen. Barack Obama (D., Ill.)

The best weapons for an insurgent candidate are creative campaign strategies and establishing an appeal in the base of your party. The Richardson team has been working both angles.

Richardson was the first Democratic candidate to run campaign ads in Iowa and New Hampshire. He has received attention from the media and from viewers of his ads on YouTube. Richardson's ads are cleverly done. They mimic a job interview where the governor presents his past qualifications -- one of the ads states that he's overqualified for the position -- see them for yourself.

The ads are right. Richardson remains a standout among the Democratic candidates because of his experience serving in Congress, as a diplomat, as an ambassador, as secretary of energy and as governor. No other candidate can match his varied resume. Interestingly, President Clinton named him to several of those positions.