Who are our rising stars?

In the 1980s and early-mid 90s, while the old guard Republicans (Reagan, Bush I, Dole) held the leadership positions in the party, the GOP quietly built up a farm team of politically gifted, young, conservative governors -- John Ashcroft in Missouri, Mark Racicot in Montana, and of course Dubya in Texas.  When the old guard passed from the scene, they took over the reins of power and led the party to dominance.

We need to do the same.  This past election will be the last in which we nominate an old-guard, establishment Democrat.  Our loss this time around coupled with the rising grassroots make that a certainty.

So who are our rising stars -- the people we will be talking about as national candidates in the near future?  I'm not thinking so much about 2008 as 2012, 2016, etc.  My thoughts below the jump.

1. Obama.  Duh.  There's been more than enough said about him already.  But one man does not a future of our party make.  We need depth.

2. Ed Rendell in Pennsylvania.  Relatively young.  Has Everyman appeal.  Has experience with both urban (Philadelphia) and statewide governance.  Gets evangelical votes -- you have to to win in PA.

3. Martin O'Malley.  Has led a truly spectacular urban resurgence in Baltimore, and in two years will be Governor of Maryland (bank on it).  And good-looking, too.  But is he too ethnic?

4. Stephanie Herseth.  It's been overlooked due to the shock of Daschle getting upset, but Herseth actually out-polled Daschle by 10,000 votes.  This despite being pro-choice in one of the most anti-choice states in the country.

Who else?  Any and all suggestions welcome.