With the filing deadline moments away, Vermont's March 4 presidential primary ballot is assured of having least five Republicans and four Democratic candidates.
For the Republicans, the list of candidates who have filed the proper number of signatures (1,000) and fee ($2,000) are former Mass Gov. Mitt Romney, former NY Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Arizonan Sen. John McCain, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Texan Rep. Ron Paul. Romney's and Huckabee's people filed their paperwork with the Secretary of State's office Monday; Giuliani's stuff came in last week.
The candidates on the Democratic ballot include New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards and Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich. Clinton and Edwards filed Monday.
The remaining question is former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson. Word is Thompson has enough signatures, but is so close to folding his tent nationally that he may choose not to file here.
Vermont's primary is a winner-take-all contest for the Rs while the Dems divy up the delegates based on how the candidates do in the primary with a handful of super delegates thrown in for good measure.
-- Sam Hemingway
