The next US presidential election will be on the first Tuesday of November in the year 2000. Candidates are already in the field campaigning for delegates to the national conventions of the Republican and Democratic parties.
The candidate who has raised most money so far is George Bush jnr, Governor of Texas, who is seeking the Republican nomination. He is the eldest son of former President George Bush, who was part of the Eastern establishment's mildly-liberal wing until he submerged his views in Ronald Reagan's politics, and what he called his "voodoo economics", to become his master's vice-presidential running mate.
George jnr calls himself a "compassionate conservative". His political philosophy is nuanced for conservatives who may suspect his father was a secret left-winger. His speeches and interviews proclaim his right-wing politics.
The right loves Governor Bush in Texas.
This may change after an article a couple of days ago by George Will, an intellectual conservative columnist, in the Washington Post. This exposed the chinks in Bush jnr's armour. Quoting the conservative Weekly Standard, Will said the governor "dismayed some Republicans" by his frequent use of the "F-word" and his "unserious" attitude to Texas executions.
The Weekly Standard added that Governor Bush's comment "suggests an atmosphere of adolescence, a lack of gravitas - a carelessness, even a recklessness, perhaps born of things having gone a bit too easily so far". Will remarked: "Bush has recently referred to Greeks as `Grecians', Kosovars as `Kosovarians', East Timorese as `East Timorians', conservatism as `conservativism' and confused Slovenia with Slovakia. Such slips are understandable, none is a flogging offence. However, having committed them, Bush should take care not to exacerbate the suspicion that he has a seriousness deficit."
Asked to name something he isn't good at, Bush Jnr junior replied: "Sitting down and reading a 500-page book on public policy or philosophy . . ." This flippant remark annoyed Will, who described him as "aan amiable fraternity boy, but a boy".
Al Gore went to Texas this week to challenge Governor Bush. As the anointed successor of Bill Clinton, Mr Gore may have to contend with former Senator Bill Bradley, a Rhodes scholar and basketball legend, for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Mr Clinton, arguably the best political campaigner in the US, held a private meeting of leading Democratic fund raisers in Washington to urge financial support for Mr Gore. "We've built a foundation," Mr Gore said. "Now it's time to reach for the stars." Also reaching for the stars is Mr Bradley.
Vice-President Gore also challenged Governor Bush on gun control in a state where the possession of arms is considered a God-given right. Mr Gore urged affirmative action for blacks, Mexicans and other minorities, and urged background checks on individuals who buy small arms at gun shows. It takes political courage to do so in Texas.
Others on the presidential trail include Elizabeth Dole, wife of former Senator Bob Dole, the Republican candidate for President in 1996. She wants to capture the Republican nomination from Governor Bush. Republicans doubt she will succeed. A Harvard Law School graduate and former president of the American Red Cross, she is popular, draws crowds and could be the first woman president.