Here’s the problem the Democrats face: They know too much about Hillary Clinton and not enough about Barack Obama. Clinton has a boatload of baggage after 15 years in the national spotlight; Obama is an untested commodity after barely two years in the Senate. But primary voters will probably have to choose between them: the first woman, or minority, to head a major-party ticket.

Of course, one or both could still decide not to run. But Clinton is already recruiting supporters and has hired a finance director. Obama is headed to New Hampshire this weekend to make speeches and sign books, not to ski.

And yes, the Hillary and Barack Show won’t have the stage to itself. Democratic victories last month encouraged a long list of dreamers: Bayh, Vilsack, Edwards, Biden, Dodd, Richardson, Kerry, perhaps even Gore.

But if Clinton and Obama do run, they will suck up the three commodities that matter most in the 13 months prior to the Iowa caucus: money, staff and media attention. So at this early stage, how do they stack up against each other?

After eight years as first lady and six in the Senate, Hillary is one of the most experienced candidates in recent history. She’s evolved into a fine legislator, gaining the respect of Republican colleagues like John McCain and shedding the liberal label by establishing moderate credentials on such issues as abortion and video games.

Sure, she won re-election in a Democratic year, against a weak opponent, but no serious rival had the guts to challenge her – and her victory was still impressive. She has the potential of tapping into a reservoir of female pride, power and money. She’s the best fundraiser around, with the possible exception of her husband, Bill, and she’ll always have her party’s most effective strategist behind her.

But her drawbacks equal her assets. She is the most polarizing figure in America. In the latest Quinnipiac poll, 41 percent say she’s not qualified to be president (56 percent say she is), and in exit polls last month, two out of five voters said they’d never vote for her.

One South Carolina Democrat told The New York Times that she couldn’t win even if she “promised to eliminate the income tax and give free ice cream to everyone.” Republicans are dying to send out a fund-raising appeal that reads: “Stop Hillary. Send Money.”