Patrick Meehan

MINNETONKA, Minn. -- The Pennsylvania delegation's Wednesday morning breakfast will be remembered by most in the crowd for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee speech on behalf of John McCain.

Less memorable, but perhaps more interesting to political observers -- it featured the two rumored leading GOP gubernatorial candidates, Attorney General Tom Corbett and former U.S. attorney Patrick Meehan, sitting in the same room.

Corbet spoke before the delegation -- Meehan to PolitickerPA.com.

During a short interview after breakfast, Meehan deflected talk of running for governor but conceded that since stepping down from his position he has met "many new friends" across the state.

Pennsylvanians won't cast their general election ballots for the next governor for more than two years. But with attention squarely focused on this year's presidential race, a large field of potential contenders are already lining up, each one sizing up his chances to succeed two-term Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell.

It's a surprisingly crowded field for how far away the election is, a field political watchers and analysts describe as impressive on both sides of the aisle. And with neither an incumbent nor a state household name in yet in play, most are forecasting a race that will be difficult to predict, one in which almost anyone could come out on top.

"It's an election that could go any way at the moment," said G. Terry Madonna, a pollster and political science professor at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster. "I don't see a clear favorite or even a clear party."

Longtime political consultant Larry Ceisler said: "I think you're going to have a lot of people running, and I think whatever I'm saying today, I will probably refute in 2010."

If there are any favorites at this early stage, there's also disagreements on who they are.

Is it ever to early to start picking sides?  Sure the 2008 election has not even hit its peak yet, but it’s never too early to start talking about 2010.  At least that is how it seems when you look at my inbox today. 

Earlier today, U.S. Attorney Patrick Meehan announced he would be stepping down later this month. 

According to a reliable Southeast Republican leader, Patrick Meehan is indeed planning on running for Governor.  While Meehan sidestepped the question at a news conference today Inside Edge has learned he indeed is planning on running for Governor and this is the first step in laying the groundwork. 

Another source who also confirmed his intent told Inside Edge Meehan is stepping down as to not become a holdover who could be let go if Barack Obama won the presidency.  This also allows Meehan to be in the field prior to November’s election and help other candidates.

U.S. Attorney Patrick Meehan is stepping down today from his federal prosecutors position. Meehan, from Delaware County, has been rumored before as a possible state wide candidate. Speculation is already beginning among Republican activists this is in preparation for a potential gubernatorial run or a run for U.S. Senate if Arlen Specter decided against another run.