The goals are not incompatible. But first things first. New York is a very blue state and for a primary and general election, putting yourself at that level does nothing to lower his chances by any means ... that becomes part of his contrast with the Democratic and Republican challengers. It widens the stature gap.

The initial criticism was that this is politics, not business, but he's someone who has learned over time to merge his business background with his politics.

Her comments about Bush being one of the worst presidents in history aren't accidental. She was trying to spike up some of the core Democratic support.

If he wants to stay in and he wants to have a candidacy and he wants to look like a fighter, then he plays the outsider strategy, which is what he's doing.

Clinton beat a Bush, then was replaced by a Bush who may be replaced by a Clinton. The whole thing has gotten very complicated.

Clearly, there are other candidates who are going to breathe a sigh of relief that the millions of dollars and the name recognition he would have brought to the race will not be there.

In this strike, the city was divided along racial lines in a way that it has not been in a long time.

The best thing each of them have going for them is their opponent. The negatives are high enough to keep things locked in place.

The numbers suggest that a case could be made for Mr. Gore in 2008 ... though it's a little unclear what he may have in mind. Clearly, he is someone to be watched, especially as an alternative to Hillary Clinton.

It looks like whether you treat them together or separately, it would certainly be an uphill fight for either of them, and clearly part of that has to do with a continuing reluctance on the part of a large number of American voters to think in terms of a woman in the White House.