I can't think of a worse candidate on the Democratic side.  Have you ever watched him in either a debate or a sit-down discussion?  (Amazingly, I'd say he was torn to shreds by Dick Cheney of all people prior to the last election.  You may not have agreed with Dick, but at least he could articulate his positions in their debate). 

It's clear to me that he does not have a strong grasp of the issues nor does he think well on his feet.  In fact, he kind of reminds me of the Democratic flip side of GWB.  While he's probably right about the danger of a shrinking American middle class, I don't think he has many of the right solutions for such.  Like much of Western Europe, we're not going back to being a manufacturing-based country anytime soon.  The days of entering the middle class with  high school education and a typically American inward world view are over.  The sooner Americans realize that, the better. 

Further, he comes across as being both condescending and hypocritical.

Among the Dems, I'd say Hillary may be looking like the best candidate.  Learning from Bill's tenure, I'd say she would be the best bet on that side to control spending even though she's often portrayed as the opposite. 

And free trade is still a good idea.  While not necessarily the case now, I predict that growing interdependence will actually become the chief argument against war some years in the future.  All we're seeing now is the growing pains.

(Yep, then again, I may be proved wrong.)