N - Room full of underdogs

I would describe myself as someone who is only marginally interested in politics. For me it's kind of the same as professional sports, I don't care that much until playoff time - in this case when it's time to elect a president. I can remember "my first" presidential election. I was in fifth grade and my class voted between Ronald Reagan and Walter Mondale. There was one kid in the ENTIRE class who voted for Mondale and I remember thinking he was crazy! But I digress . . .

I was thinking about the presidential primary races this morning on the way to work. It seems like this race is completely wide open on both the Republican side and the Democrat side. It is truly anybody's game at this point. Why is that?

Well, it occurred to me that there is no incumbent President or Vice President in the race. That didn't seem too unusual at first until I got to thinking back through the elections.  In 2004 there was obviously the incumbent George W. Bush; 2000 - Al Gore (VP); 1996 - Bill Clinton (Pres); 1992 - George Bush; etc. I couldn't think of the last time there was not an incumbent President or Vice President running for President.

So when was it?  Does anybody know?  I'll post the answer in a few days.