• He’s a populist politician from a southern state, just like the last three Democrats to win the White House.

• He’s a self-made millionaire venture capitalist with the deep pockets to fund his own political ambitions, not to mention important ties to big business.

• He was raised in Indiana, so he can also speak mid-western, albeit in a Southern drawl.

• He’s gaining national recognition as chairman of the Governor’s Association (which is meeting this week in Iowa, conveniently enough).

¶ 7:47 PM