His mood brightened again only when Herman Cain's candidacy took off two months later.
Ms. Ferraro's candidacy "took down the men-only sign at the White House," said Senator Barbara A. Mikulski, a Maryland Democrat.
If General Clark's candidacy took the harsh spotlight off Dr. Dean last week, the onetime governor has continued to be a chief object of criticism by his Democratic rivals.
Tim Pawlenty, a former governor of Minnesota who probably has the most to lose if her candidacy takes off, released a radio advertisement in Iowa with the slogan "Results, not rhetoric".
But there are no rules of seniority in presidential politics, where exploring a candidacy takes little more than an airplane ticket to an early-voting state and a roster of curious party activists.
"Anyhow, I suspect they're well provided for," says Mrs. Sinek, a 60-something widow and lifelong Democrat who has spent the last 30 years in the un-humble hamlet (median income $135,495 and rising) where the president and first lady, whose Senate candidacy took an official turn over the weekend, are settling in.
Other times, an insurrectionist candidacy takes off like a run-away train while the establishment candidate has difficulty leaving the station.
"We believe a consensus candidacy is taking shape, although we need more time.
Dr. Edward Kryn of Clayton, N.C., announced his candidacy Tuesday, taking a veiled shot at what he suggested were Tillis' special-interest ties.
Days after Bush announced his candidacy, Donald Trump took the plunge.
