Foreign Affairs

What's with the growing trend of would-be 2008 candidates talking about their interest (or lack thereof) in European countries?

Earlier this month in a trip to Denmark, former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) said he would begin to think about a presidential run in 2006. "Sometimes you warm up and get ready and you don't get in and pitch," Giuliani said when asked whether he would run.

Giuliani chimed in on his political ambitions again today, this time in the Czech Republic. "It's very far off and to make a decision like that is a couple years away," said Giuliani of a decision on a presidential run. He made the remarks after concluding a meeting with the mayor of Prague.

On Oct. 12, former vice president Al Gore signaled that he was not likely to run again in 2008 -- in remarks he made in Sweden. Gore was in the country to address an economic forum and took a few minutes at the end to address reporters. Asked about his future political ambitions, Gore said he had "absolutely no plans and no expectations of ever being a candidate again." But, in true Gore-fashion, he added: "I don't completely rule out some future interest, but I don't expect to have that."

OK, so two potential candidates making remarks overseas isn't technically a trend. But it's fun to speculate on what's next? Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) announcing his candidacy during a humanitarian trip to Africa? Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) signaling her White House ambitions while traveling in Alberta?