For previous discussion on candidates click here.

I was going to continue with individual entries but at this point there is such a steep drop-off between the top three in each party that I just don’t have a whole lot to say about each of them. And with the recent release of first-quarter campaign donations the gap between the haves and have nots becomes more pronounced.

Among the Dems it’s a three-horse race between Clinton, Edwards and Obama.

Among the GOP it’s a three-horse race between Giuliani, McCain and Romney. Of course, that landscape changes greatly in Gingrich and Thompson (not Tommy) throw their hats in the ring.

So, rather than prolong this list longer than it needs to, let’s do a quick run-down of the GOP contestants who running for president but running from reality:

Mike Huckabee–He’s long been my GOP dark horse but a 500,000 dollar first quarter is too paltry against the front-runners. He is the one bona fide social conservative who isn’t either a)Mormon (Romney) and b)downright frightening (Brownback). But he would have a long way to go to convince the party that he is a fiscal conservative. His record as governor of Arkansas proves otherwise. My personal issues with him aside, he has about the best consistent message of the GOP aspirants. But his road is too uphill at this point. And he’s never met a gift he didn’t like.

Sam Brownback–Theocrat without a country. Ain’t happening.

Duncan Hunter–Who?

Ron Paul–Who? I live in Texas and I don’t know this guy.

Jim Gilmore–Again, who?

Tom Tancredo–Um, first act as president is what? Bombing Mexico?

Tommy Thompson–It may just be me but I don’t see much likelihood, at this point, of someone from the Bush Administration getting the nom.

I really don’t see a scenario at the current time of any of these guys punching through to the other side. The only one that would even have a shot is Huckabee because he is nominate-able providing he can explain away his tax increases.

Again, the landscape changes drastically with Gingrich or Thompson (not Tommy) if they throw their hats in the ring.

Any thoughts on these guys?