CNN reports that Sen. Bob Graham, D-FL has stepped forward and announced his 2004 candidacy for President of the United States, the first such announcement in nearly 72 hours, a new record. The span shattered the previous record of 53 hours between the announcments of Rep. Richard Gebhardt, and former U.S. Senator Carol Moseley-Braun.

All kidding aside, CNN reports that Graham did bypass the traditional democratic 'exploratory committee', and unceremoniously went straight into campaigning and fund raising. This gives him the jump on all the other candidates that are still stuck in committee, so to speak.

Graham further cemented his dedication by announcing that he would not run for re-election to the U.S. Senate.