The first column I wrote this year on the presidential campaign (5/23/07) took a decidedly unconventional view of the primary season: What if all the pundits are wrong and we DON'T crown a winner on February 5th? Is it possible, in other words, that no winner will be anointed and the campaign will continue -- perhaps all the way to an open party convention?

Jump forward six months, and the pundits are finally beginning to wonder about such a possibility. Chris Cillizza, political blogger for the Washington Post, has just written an article which explores this question in detail, for both parties -- if there is no one clear winner on February 5th, then what could the delegate map look like? It's a great read if you're into wonky "what if" speculation, and the best breakdown I've seen yet of how it all could play out.

One other thing worth mentioning (that the mainstream media has largely been ignoring) is Ron Paul's impressive one-day fundraising haul. Paul just raised over four million dollars in 24 hours. Not only is this outstanding for a "minor" or "third-tier" or (insert other media put-down label here) candidate, but the fact is that this is notable for any presidential candidate. While Paul's overall fundraising still does not even compare to the Republican frontrunners' totals (to say nothing of Hillary and Barack's bankrolls), it all but guarantees him a voice in the upcoming campaign ad wars. Most of us (who live outside Iowa and New Hampshire) probably won't get to see any Ron Paul ads on our television screens, but with the magic of the internet and bored cable television hosts, you should be able to find some of these ads in the next few weeks without having to look too hard.

Which brings up a program note. Starting next Wednesday, I will be going on a much-needed vacation. During my absence from the keyboard, however, I have arranged for an eight-day series of campaign speeches to appear here. From next Wednesday on, I will feature one campaign speech from the Democratic presidential candidates per day. Each of the campaigns was contacted in the past few weeks to provide them an opportunity that is (sadly) rare in today's media -- the opportunity for you to read exactly what they have to say.

In times gone by, this was a staple of campaign reporting. For all those members of the public who did not have an opportunity to actually hear each candidate speak, newspapers would print unedited transcripts of stump speeches by all the candidates, so that voters had enough information to make an informed decision in the voting booth.

I think it is a shame that this tradition has been all but lost, and therefore I aim to bring it back, right here. So you will be given the opportunity to read what each candidate has to say, without any filter whatsoever. Each speech will be printed in full, with absolutely no editing, and with no additional commentary from me at all. "The speech, the whole speech, and nothing but the speech" is what you will get to see. Then you can make your own minds up as to which candidate best represents your ideals.

I still have not heard back from all the campaigns, although almost all of them have responded by now. For any campaign that does not provide me with permission to use a speech of their choosing, I will reluctantly have to run a big, blank column in place of their speech (hopefully) much to their embarrassment.

So even though I will be far away, enjoying my vacation, I will still be providing interesting content for you to peruse. Again, this series starts next Wednesday, so mark your calendars....

-- Chris Weigant