But the fact that we had a $290 Billion deficit in 1992 and Clinton/Gore policies helped turn it into a $236 billion surplus is as real as your bank balance.

Enron etal are not the main thrust here, but my impression is that much of the Enron/Worldcom corruption occured under the auspices of BushCo.

Most people I know did better during the 1990s and the national debt growth was incredibly reversed during those 8 years.

Let's forget 88 & focus on 92 & forward-still shows 4-0. Yes, Kerry only won by 11,000 in 04? But was Kerry, a New England Liberal a strong candidate? Especially for the more conservative Midwest?
God, he couldn't even defend Iowa & NM after successful victories by Clinton & also Gore.
Secondly, did you notice how much more ( almost double from 2000) the GOP spent on WI, OH, NM & IA. And it obviously paid off since they picked- off IA, & NM.

Again, if HRC, Warner, Richardson, Clark or whoever the nominee may be cannot win a state like Wisconsion ( where we have never lost in 20 years by 2008)- I CAN GUARANTEE YOU that WE Ain't gonna win 2008! Is it a Battleground state? Yes, it is a battleground state in the sense that Republicans still spend money to try & win them.

But so is Michigan, PA, & MO are always called battleground states but Democrats have not lost MI or PA in the last 5 elections while Republicans have NOT lost MO in the last 5 as well.

Obviously, we will need a candidate who can win Every state that Al Gore won in 2000 & then some.

Is it an Asset that Russ is from WI? Absolutely!
Better than HRC who hails from her adoptive state of NY & is originally from IL. No bonus there whatsoever.

But Feingold's home state is definitely a plus but is not his biggest ace. And as you said, he is a Senator like the rest of them. And his messed-up personal life & him being Jewish will be a factor.

IMHO, a person like Warner will run well in Midwest, Southwest, & & the South where we need those states badly. While Russ's personal issues & his being Jewish will be relevant especially in the south.

At the end of the day, who ever brings that unique ability to attract a strong core of constituents will be strong contenders.

 Right now, Russ Feingol is attracting a significant portion of the progressive block, Warner is attracting the moderate wing, while Hillary Clinton has a built-in ( very strong) base among Democratic women, African-Americans ( thru Bill), & a unique mix of Liberals & DLC'ers who have a common love for Bill Clinton.

HRC is in such a unique position. You can find thousands of Liberals who HATE her. But you can also find thousands of Liberals who ADORE her. You can find millions of Moderate/Conservative Democrats who DESPISE her. But you can also find thousands of Centrist/Moderate Democrats who LOVE her.  

But IMHO, as we get closer to 2008. Her handlers will use millions of dollars to highlight the " History in the Making, First Women President" mantra in the primaries- It will be an inevitable sight to see majority of Democratic Women primary voters flock to her. I could just imagine the excitement for some women of actually visualizing the thought of a Woman actually having a REAL SERIOUS SHOT as the First Ever Nominee of any Major Political Party & actually have a chance of winning & becoming president.

Gosh, even among those is my family & friends who are women & NOT really political & who vote but don't pay attention to issues like political junkies do. I can see many if not most of them really jumping in the HRC bandwagon once the excitement of her actually being a serious contender starts hitting the airwaves in early 2008.  

And with Women being the largest Democratic Party Block of voters ( even larger than African-Americans) in our Primaries, THAT's going to be the BIGGEST CHALLENGE for the rest of the field.

P.S.( Interesting side note)  Every Major NY State Poll done in 2005 showed HRC getting surprisingly very strong support from NY Republican Women voters. This is the reason she is defeating every possible NY challenger for her Senate race by at least 30%-40%.

If she does win the nomination, this will probably be one of her biggest goals that she has to achieve- WINNING enough crossover Republican Women Voters & Independent Women voters. She will need that BLOCK of voters in order to offset the strong Anti-Hillary movement from Republicans, conservatives, & Republican men.